Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo

The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) has no direct responsibility for establishing the jurisdiction-level quality assurance (QA) review system. Under Law No. 06/L–032 on Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing, the Public Oversight Board, operating within the Kosovo Council for Financial Reporting, is responsible for mandatory QA reviews of statutory auditors and audit firms. The public oversight QA system has not yet been fully operationalized.

SCAAK continues to use its best endeavors to support the establishment and implementation of a QA review system in Kosovo. It operates a Quality Management for Compliance with Standards Department, which reviews whether members are applying legal requirements, professional standards, and ethical requirements, and covers statutory auditors, certified auditors, certified accountants, and certified internal auditors.

SCAAK supports members through QA reviews, site visits, annual reporting, continuing professional development, guidance, and communication with the KCFR and the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo. Its governance framework includes a Quality Management in Compliance with Standards Committee and department responsible for supporting compliance with SMO 1 and liaising with regulators on the Kosovo quality control review program.

SCAAK reports that translations of the quality management standards have been completed and disseminated. Its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan also provides for the continued implementation and enhancement of the QA review system.

SCAAK has demonstrated sustained activity to support QA implementation within the scope of its authority and continues to promote alignment with SMO 1 requirements.

Current Status: Sustain

The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK), as a professional accountancy organization licensed by the Kosovo Council for Financial Reporting, is responsible for administering certification programs for accountants and auditors. SCAAK’s professional education program is developed in line with the International Education Standards (IES), as required under Law No. 06/L–032 on Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing.

SCAAK offers certification programs for accounting technicians, certified accountants, auditors, internal auditors, forensic experts, tax experts, and other accountancy-related specializations. Its education program is supported by its agreement with BPP Learning Media and is regularly updated to reflect international developments and IES requirements. SCAAK also reports that it is updating its initial professional development and continuing professional development curricula to incorporate recent IES revisions, including sustainability, information technology, and examination-related competencies.

SCAAK supports members and students through continuing professional development (CPD), professional certification, cooperation with universities, and digital tools to improve access to student, member, education, and quality management services. It also maintains CPD requirements for accountants and auditors, including a minimum annual requirement of 40 hours, with verifiable CPD requirements by membership category.

SCAAK continues to cooperate with regional and international partners, including the Institute of Authorized Chartered Auditors of Albania, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, the Association of Accounting Technicians, and the World Bank Centre for Financial Reporting Reform Education Community of Practice. These activities support alignment with international education practices and the continued development of the profession.

SCAAK has demonstrated sustained activity to support the adoption and implementation of IES within the scope of its authority and has established processes to review and improve its education and CPD programming on an ongoing basis.

Current Status: Sustain

The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) has no direct authority for adopting auditing standards in Kosovo. Under Law No. 06/L–032 on Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing, International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and related pronouncements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) are approved for application by the Kosovo Council for Financial Reporting (KCFR).

SCAAK supports implementation of ISA by facilitating access to Albanian translations of IAASB standards through its cooperation with the Institute of Authorized Chartered Auditors of Albania (IEKA), updating education and continuing professional development materials, and providing technical support to members. While the Albanian translation of the 2018 IAASB Handbook remains the version formally approved for application in Kosovo, SCAAK and IEKA have translated subsequent IAASB pronouncements, including the 2021 Handbook, International Standard on Quality Management 1, International Standard on Quality Management 2, and the International Standard on Auditing for Audits of Financial Statements of Less Complex Entities. During 2025, SCAAK and IEKA also completed Albanian translations of ISA 315 (Revised 2019), ISA 220 (Revised), and ISA 600 (Revised), and made these standards available to members.

SCAAK continues to inform members of IAASB developments and provide training, guidance, and implementation support on auditing and quality management standards. Through its translation activities, continuing professional development programs, technical resources, and cooperation with relevant stakeholders, SCAAK has demonstrated ongoing best endeavors to support the adoption and implementation of IAASB standards within the scope of its authority.

SCAAK is encouraged to continue working with the KCFR and IEKA to support timely approval and implementation of the latest IAASB pronouncements and to further reduce the time lag between international standards and their formal application in Kosovo.

Current Status: Sustain

As a licensed professional accountancy organization, the Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) is required under Law No. 06/L–032 on Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing to adopt the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, including International Independence Standards, issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) for application by its members.

SCAAK has adopted the 2023 International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants for application by its members. The Albanian translation of the 2023 Code is publicly available through SCAAK, and SCAAK indicates that translation and adoption of the 2024 Code is in progress.

SCAAK supports implementation of the Code through updates to its initial professional development and continuing professional development programs, member communications, quality assurance reviews, and public outreach on the role of professional accountants in acting in the public interest. Compliance with the Code is reviewed as part of SCAAK’s quality assurance activities, while the Kosovo Council for Financial Reporting retains responsibility for enforcement for statutory auditors.

SCAAK has demonstrated ongoing processes to support implementation of ethical requirements within the scope of its authority. However, SCAAK is encouraged to complete adoption of the latest Code and continue supporting consistent implementation across its membership, including through training, monitoring, and engagement with the KCFR.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) has no direct responsibility for adopting public sector accounting standards in Kosovo. Cash-basis International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) are applied in the jurisdiction, while transition to accrual-basis IPSAS remains a longer-term public sector reform objective.

SCAAK continues to use its best endeavors to promote IPSAS implementation and public sector accounting capacity building. It incorporates IPSAS into its education and continuing professional development activities and maintains public sector certification pathways, including the Public Sector Certified Auditor program.

SCAAK also continues to cooperate with public sector stakeholders and international partners, including through its public financial management certification activities and participation in World Bank Centre for Financial Reporting Reform initiatives supporting public sector accounting reform in the region.

SCAAK has demonstrated sustained activity to support IPSAS implementation and public sector accountancy capacity within the scope of its authority.

Current Status: Sustain

The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK), as a licensed professional accountancy organization recognized by the Kosovo Council for Financial Reporting (KCFR), is responsible for the investigation and discipline (I&D) of its members under Law No. 06/L–032 on Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing. KCFR Administrative Instruction No. 01/2022 on Investigation and Discipline Procedures also establishes the KCFR Commission for Investigation and Discipline, which is responsible for investigating and disciplining licensed professional accountancy organizations, audit firms, and statutory auditors.

SCAAK has established a Behavior and Discipline Committee, which is responsible for disciplinary matters involving members in cases of violations of legal requirements, the SCAAK Statute, and the fundamental principles of the Code of Professional Ethics. The SCAAK Statute provides for disciplinary proceedings, investigation of cases, sanctions, and appeal rights.

SCAAK reports that it has revised its internal I&D regulations to align with KCFR Administrative Instruction No. 01/2022 and has self-assessed its system against the requirements of SMO 6. It also promotes awareness of ethical and disciplinary requirements through continuing professional development, roundtables, website communications, and introductory sessions for new students and members.

SCAAK has demonstrated sustained activity to maintain and improve its I&D system within the scope of its authority.

SCAAK is encouraged to continue supporting KCFR and other licensed professional accountancy organizations to promote consistent I&D arrangements across the jurisdiction.

Current Status: Sustain

The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) has no direct responsibility for adopting IFRS Accounting Standards in Kosovo. Under Law No. 06/L–032 on Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing, the Kosovo Council for Financial Reporting is responsible for approving accounting standards for application in the jurisdiction, while the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo requires banks and insurance companies to apply full IFRS Accounting Standards. The IFRS Foundation jurisdiction profile identifies the KCFR as the authority responsible for adopting accounting standards and SCAAK as an adviser to the KCFR.

SCAAK continues to support implementation of IFRS Accounting Standards and the IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities Accounting Standard through education, continuing professional development, technical materials, and member communications. SCAAK has also supported the availability and implementation of Albanian translations of IFRS Accounting Standards and the IFRS for SMEs in cooperation with relevant stakeholders. The 2024 consolidated version of IFRS Accounting Standards and the 2015 IFRS for SMEs are applied in Kosovo.

SCAAK has demonstrated sustained activity to support the adoption and implementation of IFRS-related requirements within the scope of its authority and maintains ongoing processes to support members.

Current Status: Sustain