Ordre National des Experts Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal

Quality assurance review requirements in Senegal are established through the regional framework of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). OHADA Regulation No. 01/2017/CM/OHADA requires professional accountancy organizations in member states to establish a quality assurance system and requires professionals to implement that system in accordance with the applicable quality assurance manual. OHADA has also published the related implementation tools, including the regional quality assurance manual.

Within the scope of its mandate, the Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) continues to support the development and implementation of quality assurance arrangements for its members. Public information available from the institute confirms the existence of a quality control commission whose mandate includes improving the functioning of accounting firms, promoting awareness of the public interest nature of firm engagements, improving the quality of financial information, and verifying that firms have established internal quality systems consistent with the standards in force in Senegal.

Recent information published through the IFAC Member Compliance Program indicates that ONECCA Senegal has taken concrete steps to prepare members for the resumption of a mandatory quality assurance review system. These actions include carrying out voluntary quality control reviews of 13 firms, instructing the Quality Assurance Committee to advance the implementation process, sharing the OHADA quality assurance manual and French-language standards and handbooks with members, providing French translations of the quality management standards, organizing training on new and revised standards, issuing questionnaires to help firms prepare for review, and conducting workshops on the use of available implementation tools.

These activities demonstrate that ONECCA Senegal is actively supporting adoption and implementation of quality assurance requirements and helping members prepare for more robust oversight. At the same time, the jurisdiction-level quality assurance system has not yet been demonstrated to be fully operational and fully aligned with all the requirements of Statement of Membership Obligations 1 (SMO 1), including the use of the current quality management standards, regular mandatory review cycles for all required engagements, comprehensive reporting and follow-up procedures, and clear linkage with the investigative and disciplinary system. Accordingly, ONECCA Senegal is assessed as Review & Improve in relation to SMO 1.

ONECCA Senegal is encouraged to focus on supporting full operationalization of a mandatory, cycle-based quality assurance review system aligned with the jurisdictional framework and the requirements of SMO 1. Priority areas include supporting demonstrable implementation of International Standard on Quality Management 1 (ISQM 1), International Standard on Quality Management 2 (ISQM 2), and International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 220 (Revised), strengthening review documentation and follow-up procedures, establishing clearer linkage between quality assurance findings and the investigative and disciplinary system, and continuing to report on outcomes and corrective actions as the system becomes fully operational.

Current Status: Review & Improve

Initial professional development requirements for professional accountants in Senegal are established primarily through the regional framework of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The qualification pathway is governed through the regional diploma structure leading to the Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures de Comptabilité et de Gestion Financière (DESCOGEF) and the Diplôme d’Expertise Comptable et Financière (DECOFI), which are required for access to the profession across WAEMU member states.

Within the scope of its mandate, the Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) is responsible for enforcing these initial professional development requirements at the national level and for establishing and monitoring continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for its members.

ONECCA Senegal has strengthened the regional initial professional development framework by requiring that the mandatory three-year practical experience period be completed under the supervision of a Chartered Accountant licensed by the institute and with appropriate knowledge of Senegal’s legal, regulatory, and business environment. Public information available from the institute confirms the existence of a Commission Formation, which is responsible for training matters, internship oversight, and the development of the professional competence framework for members and trainees.

The institute also maintains an established CPD system for members. Members are required to complete 40 hours of CPD annually, and compliance is monitored as part of membership renewal procedures. Public information indicates that training programs, seminars, and technical updates are organized regularly for members, trainees, and firm staff, and that the training catalogue is updated periodically to reflect professional developments and evolving standards.

In addition, ONECCA Senegal continues to participate in regional discussions and consultations relating to reforms of the professional education framework within both WAEMU and the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), with the objective of improving alignment of professional education requirements with the International Education Standards (IES) and strengthening competency-based learning outcomes. These activities demonstrate that ONECCA Senegal is actively executing measures to support and strengthen compliance with Statement of Membership Obligations 2 (SMO 2).

ONECCA Senegal is encouraged to continue supporting regional curriculum reform and to promote closer alignment of the DESCOGEF, DECOFI, practical experience requirements, and final assessment processes with the latest IES, particularly the learning outcomes and competency-based requirements introduced in the 2019 revisions.

Current Status: Execute

The Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) strengthened the regional auditing framework through Regulation No. 01/2017/CM/OHADA, which requires all member states, including Senegal, to apply the International Standards on Auditing (ISA) issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) effective January 1, 2018.

In accordance with this regional framework, ISA are effective in Senegal as issued by the IAASB.

Prior to the regional adoption framework becoming effective, the Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) had already demonstrated commitment to the adoption and implementation of ISA at the national level. Public information and prior compliance reporting indicate that the institute had developed national auditing standards based on ISA and had established mechanisms to support updates and implementation.

With the regional requirement now fully in force, the role of ONECCA Senegal is focused on ongoing implementation support for members. Publicly available information confirms that the institute continues to organize regular technical trainings, seminars, and professional development activities for members, trainees, and firm staff. These activities include updates on auditing and assurance standards, implementation guidance, and dissemination of tools and guidance issued at the OHADA level.

In addition, ONECCA Senegal continues to support members by communicating developments in applicable auditing standards and promoting awareness of new and revised pronouncements. These ongoing activities support the effective and sustained implementation of ISA in the jurisdiction.

Given the well-established regional adoption framework and the institute’s ongoing support activities for implementation, training, and technical guidance, ONECCA Senegal is assessed as Sustain in relation to SMO 3.

Current Status: Sustain

Ethical requirements applicable to professional accountants in Senegal are established primarily through the regional framework of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA). OHADA Regulation No. 01/2017/CM/OHADA requires member states, including Senegal, to apply the OHADA Code of Ethics together with the relevant ethical requirements applicable to statutory auditors under the OHADA Uniform Act on Accounting Law and Financial Reporting.

The OHADA Code of Ethics is based on the 2015 International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

The Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) does not have direct regulatory authority over the adoption of ethical requirements at the jurisdiction level. However, within the scope of its mandate, the institute plays an important implementation support and advocacy role.

Prior to the regional framework becoming effective, ONECCA Senegal had already adopted an earlier version of the IESBA Code for its members, which was approved by the Ministry responsible for finance. Following the implementation of the OHADA framework, the institute has continued to support members through dissemination of the applicable code, technical guidance, and ongoing training activities.

Public information and compliance reporting indicate that ONECCA Senegal organizes seminars and training programs on professional ethics both for trainees and as part of continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for members. The institute also disseminates relevant ethical guidance and professional notices issued at the OHADA level. These activities demonstrate that ONECCA Senegal is actively supporting implementation of the ethical requirements applicable in Senegal and promoting awareness of professional ethics obligations among its members.

At the same time, the applicable jurisdictional framework remains based on the 2015 version of the IESBA Code and has not yet been updated to reflect the latest version of the International Code of Ethics, including the substantial revisions made since 2018. Accordingly, ONECCA Senegal is assessed as Execute in relation to SMO 4.

ONECCA Senegal is encouraged to continue leveraging its advisory and advocacy role within OHADA and other regional forums to promote alignment of the applicable ethical framework with the latest version of the International Code of Ethics. Continued inclusion of recent ethics developments in CPD programs and member guidance materials should remain a priority.

Current Status: Execute

Public sector accounting standards in Senegal are established through the regional framework of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and adopted nationally by the ministry responsible for finance. WAEMU Directive No. 09/2009/CM/UEMOA establishes the public sector accounting framework for member states, and subsequent revisions have integrated a significant number of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) principles into the regional framework.

The Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) does not have standard-setting authority in this area and does not directly regulate the adoption of public sector accounting standards.

Within the scope of its mandate, however, ONECCA Senegal has demonstrated sustained best-endeavor efforts to support the adoption and implementation of accrual-based public sector reporting standards in the jurisdiction.

The institute maintains a collaborative relationship with the government and relevant public sector institutions and actively advocates for alignment with IPSAS. Public reporting indicates that ONECCA Senegal has shared French translations of IPSAS materials and has organized professional events focused on public financial management and accrual-based reporting in collaboration with international and regional professional bodies, including the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and francophone professional networks.

In addition, ONECCA Senegal reports maintaining partnership arrangements with key public sector oversight institutions, including the Accountant and Auditor General and the Court of Auditors, and has supported technical capacity development in these areas.

The institute also participates in a steering committee established by the ministry responsible for finance in relation to the adoption and implementation of accrual-based public sector standards. These activities demonstrate sustained and ongoing efforts to support awareness, advocacy, and implementation of IPSAS-related reforms within the jurisdiction.

Given the nature of its mandate and the well-established ongoing processes through which it supports public sector financial reporting reforms, ONECCA Senegal is assessed as Sustain in relation to SMO 5.

Current Status: Sustain

Within Senegal, Law No. 2000-05 of January 10, 2000, as approved by the ministry responsible for finance, authorizes the Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) to establish and operate an investigative and disciplinary (I&D) system for its members.

In accordance with its legal framework and internal regulations, ONECCA Senegal has established a disciplinary structure to receive, investigate, and adjudicate cases of professional misconduct. Public information confirms the existence of a Chambre de discipline, chaired by a judge appointed by the Court of Appeal of Dakar, with additional members elected from the profession.

In practice, complaints are first reviewed through an instructional or review committee process, including arbitration and mediation mechanisms where appropriate, in order to distinguish between professional misconduct matters and commercial disputes. Where non-compliance, misconduct, or failure to implement corrective actions is identified, matters are escalated to the disciplinary chamber for formal proceedings and sanctions.

ONECCA Senegal previously conducted a self-assessment of its procedures against the requirements of Statement of Membership Obligations 6 (SMO 6) and identified areas for improvement, including clearer separation of investigation and disciplinary functions, publication of results, and liaison with relevant external authorities in cases involving serious offences.

Since that review, the institute has updated its procedures and reports that the current I&D framework now aligns with the SMO 6 benchmark requirements. The institute also indicates that it communicates regularly with members on ethical obligations, professional conduct expectations, and the consequences of non-compliance.

Public reporting and compliance updates indicate that the number of cases being processed through the disciplinary framework has increased, reflecting active operation of the system and continued strengthening of enforcement mechanisms.

Given the established legal framework, operational disciplinary procedures, demonstrated response to prior recommendations, and ongoing maintenance of the system, ONECCA Senegal is assessed as Sustain in relation to SMO 6.

Current Status: Sustain

As a member state of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), Senegal’s corporate accounting standards are established through regional legislation.

In January 2017, the OHADA Uniform Act on Accounting Law and Financial Reporting (AUDCIF) was adopted to replace the previous 2000 accounting framework and update the Système Comptable OHADA (SYSCOHADA).

The revised framework modernized the OHADA general accounting plan as well as the rules for consolidated and combined financial statements, creating a single accounting reference framework applicable across OHADA member states.

Under this framework, SYSCOHADA remains the primary accounting framework for most entities, including small and medium-sized entities (SMEs), while International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards are required for listed companies and entities seeking financing in a public capital market in consolidated financial statements.

The Ordre National des Experts-Comptables et des Comptables Agréés du Sénégal (ONECCA Senegal) does not have direct regulatory authority over the adoption of accounting standards in the jurisdiction. However, within the scope of its mandate, the institute has demonstrated sustained best-endeavor efforts to support adoption and implementation of the applicable framework.

ONECCA Senegal actively participated in the OHADA convergence and reform process between 2010 and 2017 through consultations, technical recommendations, and contribution to the regional standard-setting discussions.

Following the implementation of the revised framework, the institute has continued to support members through dissemination of information on applicable standards, organization of training and continuing professional development (CPD) activities, updates to qualification curricula, and the provision of practical application guides and implementation support materials.

These activities demonstrate well-established ongoing processes to support implementation of accounting standards and promote high-quality financial reporting within the jurisdiction. Accordingly, ONECCA Senegal is assessed as Sustain in relation to SMO 7.

Current Status: Sustain