Audit Acceptance Letter Template for Hong Kong

When your company needs to appoint statutory auditors in Hong Kong, an Audit Acceptance Letter is your essential first step. This professional document formalizes the auditor-client relationship and ensures compliance with Hong Kong's stringent audit regulations. You'll need this letter to establish clear terms before any audit work begins, protecting both your company and the audit firm while meeting legal requirements under Hong Kong law.

When do you need this document?

You must obtain an Audit Acceptance Letter whenever your company appoints new auditors or reappoints existing ones for statutory audits in Hong Kong. This includes situations where your company is newly incorporated and requires its first audit, when changing audit firms due to rotation requirements or business decisions, or when reappointing current auditors for subsequent financial years. Listed companies face additional requirements, needing this letter when audit committee changes occur or when parent companies mandate auditor appointments. The letter is also essential if your company undergoes restructuring that affects audit scope or when regulatory bodies request confirmation of auditor appointments.

Key legal considerations

Your Audit Acceptance Letter must address several critical legal elements to ensure compliance and protection. The engagement scope should clearly define which financial statements will be audited and the applicable financial reporting framework, whether Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards or International Financial Reporting Standards. Independence requirements under the HKICPA Code of Ethics must be acknowledged, including any potential conflicts of interest or threats to auditor objectivity. The letter should specify management's responsibilities for preparing financial statements and maintaining internal controls, while outlining the auditor's obligations regarding fraud detection and reporting. Fee arrangements, timing expectations, and communication protocols with those charged with governance require clear definition. Additionally, the letter must address limitations of audit procedures and clarify that an audit provides reasonable, not absolute, assurance about financial statement accuracy.

Legal requirements in Hong Kong

Under Hong Kong law, your Audit Acceptance Letter must comply with the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), which mandates statutory audits for most companies and defines auditor appointment procedures. Hong Kong Standards on Auditing, particularly HKSA 210, govern the form and content of audit engagement letters, requiring specific disclosures about audit objectives, scope, and limitations. The Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap. 50) establishes the regulatory framework for auditors, including licensing and professional conduct requirements that must be reflected in the engagement terms. Anti-money laundering obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) require auditors to perform client due diligence, which should be acknowledged in the acceptance letter. For listed companies, additional Securities and Future Commission requirements may apply, necessitating enhanced independence confirmations and reporting obligations. The letter must also address requirements for auditor reporting to regulatory bodies and the circumstances under which auditors may be required to communicate directly with the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants or other authorities.