Quality Control (QC) review process
Understand how entity reviewers assess accounting entities' (AEs) quality control systems and the four possible review outcomes.
Last updated 13 February 2026
What is a QC review
A QC review assesses AEs’ compliance with the prescribed quality control standards.
These are the Singapore Standards on Quality Management 1 and 2 (SSQM 1 and SSQM 2) as set out in the Accountants (Prescribed Standards and Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Order 2023.
How the QC review works
The QC review involves three main steps:
Process: QC review
Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Entity reviewers, appointed by the PAOC (Firm Level), assess the AE's quality controls against SSQM 1 and SSQM 2. Note: The PAOC (Firm Level) refers to the Public Accountants Oversight Committee without any of its members who are public accountants. |
| The Registrar considers the findings and reports to the PAOC (Firm Level) with its recommendations. |
| The PAOC (Firm Level) may order the AE to take remedial actions and/or make other orders to protect public interest if it concludes that the AE’s compliance with QC standards is either:
More details: QC review orders |
QC review outcomes
There are four possible outcomes for a QC review.
Outcomes and definitions: QC review
Outcome | What it means |
Satisfactory | If the relevant professional standards or pronouncements have been complied with in all significant respects with no instance(s) of non-compliance |
Satisfactory but with findings | If the relevant professional standards or pronouncements have been complied with in all significant respects, with limited and/or minor instance(s) of non-compliance |
Partially satisfactory | If an extensive number of minor instances or more than minor instance(s) of non-compliance with relevant professional standards or pronouncements have been identified. However, the instances of non-compliance are not significant or severe. |
Not satisfactory | If an extensive number and/or significant/severe and/or repeated non-compliances with relevant professional standards/pronouncements have been identified |
The significance and severity of non-compliance with relevant professional standards or pronouncements is assessed for each inspection finding, taking into account the nature, severity and pervasiveness of the finding.