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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
Public Consultation

Public Consultation on proposed amendments to the Code Of Professional Conduct & Ethics for public accountants & accounting entities

Status

Closed - Summary of Responses

Topic

Public Accountancy

21 May 2024

Access the archived public consultation paper on amendments to the Code of Conduct for Public Accountants.

Detailed description

  1. The Ethics Sub-Committee[1] (EC) of the Public Accountants Oversight Committee (PAOC) is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Public Accountants and Accounting Entities (Singapore Code), which sets out the ethical and independence standards for auditors. The public consultation exercise will run from 29 November 2013 to 10 January 2014.

Background

  1. The present Singapore Code was issued in 2009 and is prescribed in the subsidiary legislation of the Accountants Act. It is based on the Code of Ethics issued in 2006 by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) (2006 IESBA Code). The Singapore Code also includes Singapore Provisions, which supplement the 2006 IESBA Code with additional guidance or requirements for public accountants in Singapore.

  2. In 2009, IESBA issued a revised version of the IESBA Code (Revised IESBA Code). This was followed by IESBA issuing strengthened or new provisions to the code in four areas this year[2]. The proposed amendments to the Singapore Code takes into account the recent revisions made to the IESBA Code. This will ensure that ACRA’s regulatory framework for auditing in Singapore is kept in line with internationally recognised benchmarks. It will also further strengthen the standard of professional ethics and auditor independence in Singapore. Some audit firms in Singapore as part of their own quality controls, have already taken steps to ensure they comply with the Revised IESBA Code.

Proposed amendments

  1. In considering the proposed amendments, the EC, which comprises senior members of the accountancy profession and stakeholder representatives, also assessed whether the Singapore Provisions remain relevant in light of the IESBA revisions and developments within Singapore.

  2. Some of the key proposed amendments include extending higher independence standards to public interest entities (PIEs) in line with the Revised IESBA Code. Higher independence standards currently apply to audits and reviews of listed entities as a higher degree of public confidence in the financial information of these entities is crucial. The Revised IESBA Code extends the higher independence standards to all audits and reviews of PIEs. The consultation paper seeks views on whether the requirements should apply to the audits and reviews of entities such as listed entities, financial institutions, large charities and large Institutions of a Public Character. This is in recognition of the fact that these entities are expected to meet a higher benchmark in corporate governance and financial reporting.

  3. The EC is also proposing to adopt, in place of the present Singapore Provisions, the Revised IESBA Code’s thresholds that address the independence threats related to the level of audit fees an auditor receives from an audit client. The Singapore Provisions were originally included because the 2006 IESBA Code did not set such clear thresholds.[3]

Guidelines on providing feedback

  1. ACRA invites views on the specific questions posed in the consultation paper as well as views on any other matters relevant to the consultation exercise. In order to facilitate a mutually beneficial feedback process, ACRA will appreciate if the respondents can provide some background insights leading to their views and suggestions. Respondents are encouraged to:

    • Indicate your name, designation as well as the organisation you represent (if any);

    • Focus on the specific consultation questions set out in the paper;

    • Contain a clear rationale; and

    • Include an alternative that ACRA could consider.

Consultation period

  1. The consultation period is from 29 November 2013 to 10 January 2014.

Public Consultation details

  1. The Consultation Paper summarises the proposed amendments to the Singapore Code as well as the specific questions posed for feedback.

Feedback channel

  1. ACRA welcomes all members of the profession and public to give their feedback and views on the proposed revisions.

  2. Please send your feedback by e-mail to: ACRA_Consultation@acra.gov.sg. Please indicate “Public Consultation on Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics” in the subject line.

ACCOUNTING AND CORPORATE REGULATORY AUTHORITY
29 November 2013

Footnotes

[1] The current members of the Ethics Sub-Committee are:

  • Mr Quek See Tiat (Chairman of the EC), Chairman, Building and Construction Authority

  • Mr Gerard Ee, Chairman, SIM Governing Council & Public Transport Council

  • Mr Winston Ngan, Head of Financial Services, Ernst & Young LLP

  • Mr Sajjad Akhtar, Managing Partner, PKF-CAP LLP

  • Mr Lim Ah Doo, Independent Director

  • Mr Thio Shen Yi SC, Joint Managing Director, TSMP Law Corporation

[2] The areas are (a) Conflicts of interest, (b) Breach of a requirement of the Code, (c) Definition of “engagement team” and (d) Definition of “those charged with governance”.

[3] This is in view that should a large proportion of an auditor’s fees comes from one client, it can threaten the auditor’s independence as a result of the financial ramifications should the auditor lose the client’s business.

[4] Acknowledgement Statement
For the Handbook of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, 2013 Edition:

This text reproduces, with the permission of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), all or part of the Handbook of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, 2013 Edition issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), and published by IFAC. Copyright © May 2013 by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). All rights reserved.

Reproduction of the Handbook of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, 2013 Edition, Copyright © May 2013 by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is limited to the territory of Singapore for this public consultation period only. All rights, including copyright, are reserved and are held by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

For Change to the Definition of “Those Charged with Governance” in, and Related Changes to, the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, September 2013:

This text reproduces, with the permission of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), all or part of the Change to the Definition of “Those Charged with Governance” in, and Related Changes to, the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), and published by IFAC. Copyright © September 2013 by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). All rights reserved.

Reproduction of the Change to the Definition of “Those Charged with Governance” in, and Related Changes to, the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, Copyright © September 2013 by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is limited to the territory of Singapore for this public consultation period only. All rights, including copyright, are reserved and are held by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

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