ASEAN CPA is a title accorded to professional accountants who are ASEAN nationals and possess the necessary qualifications and experiences that complies with the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Accounting Services (MRAA).

ASEAN CPAs are legally allowed to provide accountancy services (except for signing off of the independent auditor’s report and providing accountancy services that require domestic licensing) in ASEAN markets without having to undergo extensive re-training or re-qualification procedures.

With the ASEAN CPA title in your resume and / or name card, it will provide you with market access to the rest of ASEAN, presenting new opportunities in one of the highest growth economic regions in the world!

A professional accountant who meets the following qualifications, practical experience and conditions is eligible to apply to be an ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant (ASEAN CPA):

• Holds the nationality of an ASEAN country
• Has completed an accredited accountancy degree, or professional accounting education programme recognised by ISCA;
• Holds a current and valid ISCA membership (CA (Singapore) or Associate (ISCA));
• Has acquired relevant practical experience of minimum three (3) years cumulatively within any five (5) year period prior to application;
• Has complied with the  Continuing Professional Education (CPE) policy of ISCA; and
• Has no record of serious violation of technical, professional or ethical standards.

The registration fee is waived until 31 Dec 2020. 

The application process will take at least twelve weeks. We will send you a notification of your application outcome via e-mail.

Please refer to the application flow chart for a better understanding on the application process.

ASEAN CPA is valid for one year upon approval from ACPACC. Yes, ASEAN CPAs have to renew the ASEAN CPA title annually. There is no annual renewal fee payable.

Yes,  the ASEAN CPA is only applicable to Associates and Chartered Accountants with an active ISCA membership.

ASEAN CPAs and their relevant details will be placed on ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant Coordinating Committee website.

An ASEAN CPA who wishes to provide professional accountancy services in another participating ASEAN Country (Host country) shall apply to the National Accountancy Body (NAB) and/ or Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of a participating ASEAN Host Country to be registered as a Registered Foreign Professional Accountant (RFPA). A RFPA will have to work in collaboration with Professional Accountants in the said Host Country and agrees to be bound by the domestic laws and regulations of the Host Country. The ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant Coordinating Committee (ACPACC) is now in discussion on the RFPA registration process and more details will be released in due course.

Issuance of work permit is not under the ambit of ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant Coordinating Committee (ACPACC). ASEAN CPAs will be bound by local immigration policies of the Host Country and will need to check the immigration policies of the Host country. Work permits are subject to approval by the immigration authority of the Host Country.

ASEAN CPAs who are ISCA members are expected to uphold and maintain professional and ethical standards within the accountancy profession in ASEAN.  Such member shall conduct himself in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the accountancy profession and refrain from any act or default, which is likely to bring discredit to the profession, ISCA or to himself. ASEAN CPAs who are ISCA members are bound by ISCA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics (the Code), rules, professional standards and professional ethics.  ISCA takes any breach of its Code, rules, professional standards and professional ethics seriously and has in place a robust investigation and disciplinary process to investigate into any complaint against its members for misconduct and/or such breaches.

The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement on Accountancy Services (MRAA) was an agreement to enhance cooperation in services amongst ASEAN Member States. Hence, the ASEAN CPA is open to only ASEAN nationals.