International Agreements
Published: 25 September 2023
2 minute read
The FRC has entered into agreements with the following overseas regulators on cooperation and exchange of information related to the oversight of auditors.
United States of America
| Name | Statement of Protocol between the FRC and the PCAOB (April 2017) |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 17 April 2017 |
| Type | Statement |
| Format | PDF, 1.7 MB |
| Name | Data Protection Agreement (April 2017) |
| Publication date | 17 April 2017 |
| Format | PDF, 798.0 KB |
Switzerland
| Name | Memorandum of Understanding between FRC and Swiss Federal Audit Oversight Authority (March 2014) |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 3 April 2014 |
| Type | Memorandum of understanding |
| Format | PDF, 5.3 MB |
| Name | Letter on cooperation between CPAAOB/JFSA and FRC (June 2014) |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 6 June 2014 |
| Type | Response to external consultations |
| Format | PDF, 2.9 MB |
| Name | Letter on cooperation between FRC and CPAAOB/JFSA (June 2014) |
| Publication date | 6 June 2014 |
| Type | Response to external consultations |
| Format | PDF, 3.0 MB |
Canada
| Name | Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) and the FRC (December 2016) |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 1 August 2017 |
| Type | Memorandum of understanding |
| Format | PDF, 2.2 MB |
New Zealand
As the competent authority, it is the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) role to negotiate agreements covering audit qualifications between the UK and third countries.
The FRC has worked with the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand to reach an agreement, and on 26 September 2023 both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Arrangements (MOURA). This agreement comes into effect on 26 September 2023.
The MOURA provides a pathway by which auditors who have obtained a professional audit qualification in either the UK or New Zealand can apply for recognition of their qualification and gain audit rights in the other jurisdiction. To achieve this, we have approved three qualifications as approved third country qualifications in the UK.
Under Section 1221 of the Companies Act 2006 the Secretary of State may make a declaration approving a third country qualification. This function of the Secretary of State has been delegated to the FRC. The FRC Board has made a declaration approving the following qualifications:
- Licensed Auditors - individuals licenced to conduct FMC audits in New Zealand. This is subject to completing a UK aptitude test.
- CA Qualification awarded by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) in New Zealand to a person and where that person has passed the New Zealand variant of the Taxation papers. This is subject to completing an adaptation period in the UK.
- CPA qualification awarded by CPA Australia in New Zealand to a person and where that person:
- holds an accredited degree (under the joint CPA Australia and CAANZ scheme) or has completed the CPA Australia foundation papers; and
- has passed both the Advanced Auditing and Assurance elective paper and an elective paper in either Taxation (New Zealand) or Advanced Taxation;
This is subject to completing an adaptation period in the UK.
In making these declarations the FRC is satisfied that these qualifications afford an assurance of professional competence equivalent to that afforded by a recognised professional qualification in the UK and that the treatment of persons who are subject to these declarations is, or is likely to be, comparable to the treatment that holders of a UK recognised professional qualification will receive in New Zealand.
| Name | Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Arrangements with Financial Markets Authority (New Zealand) |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 26 September 2023 |
| Format | PDF, 336.1 KB |
| Name | Approval of Licensed Auditor qualification as an approved third country qualification |
| Publication date | 26 September 2023 |
| Format | PDF, 135.2 KB |
| Name | Approval of CAANZ qualification as an approved third country qualification |
| Publication date | 27 September 2023 |
| Format | PDF, 132.2 KB |
| Name | Approval of CPA Australia qualification as an approved third country qualification |
| Publication date | 26 September 2023 |
| Format | PDF, 132.9 KB |
| Name | Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Arrangements with Financial Markets Authority (New Zealand) FAQs |
| Publication date | 27 September 2023 |
| Format | PDF, 134.0 KB |