Consolidated Document number 17/VBHN-BTC stipulates on the examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates.

CIRCULAR^[1]

Regulations on examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates

Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017 of the Ministry of Finance stipulates regulations on examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates, amended and supplemented by:

- Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC dated June 27, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance amending and supplementing certain provisions of circulars concerning submission, presentation, and declaration of information regarding household registration books, temporary residence books, or local administrative confirmation documents when implementing policies or administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, effective from June 27, 2023.

- Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC dated March 26, 2024 of the Ministry of Finance amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 202/2012/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2012 of the Minister of Finance guiding the registration, management, and public disclosure of lists of practicing auditors, Circular No. 203/2012/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2012 of the Minister of Finance on procedures, issuance, management, and use of Certificates of Eligibility for Accounting Services, and Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017 of the Minister of Finance stipulating examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates, effective from July 1, 2024.

Pursuant to Law on Accounting No. 88/2015/QH13 dated November 20, 2015;

Pursuant to the Independent Audit Law No. 67/2011/QH12 dated March 29, 2011;

Pursuant to Decree No. 17/2012/NĐ-CP dated March 13, 2012 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Independent Audit Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 87/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 26, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Accounting and Auditing Regime,

The Minister of Finance promulgates this Circular stipulating regulations on examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates.^[2]

Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates regulations on examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates as provided for in point c, Clause 2, Article 11 of the Independent Audit Law and Article 57, point d, Clause 2, Article 71 of the Accounting Law.

Article 2. Applicability

The objects subject to this Circular include:

1. Candidates for examination as prescribed in Article 3 and Clause 1, Article 10 of this Circular.

2. Examination Board for auditors and accountants (hereinafter referred to as the Examination Board).

3. Professional organizations in accounting and auditing.

4. Other organizations and individuals related to the examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates.

Chapter II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Chapter 1. ORGANIZATION OF EXAMINATIONS

Article 3. Examination candidates

Vietnamese citizens or foreigners who meet the examination conditions prescribed in Article 4 of this Circular.

Article 4. Examination Conditions

Candidates for auditor certificates or accountant certificates must meet the following conditions:

1. Possess professional ethics, honesty, integrity, and a sense of compliance with the law;

2. Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in Finance, Banking, Accounting, Auditing; or hold a bachelor's degree in other majors with a total of at least 7% of credit hours (or class hours) in subjects such as Finance, Accounting, Auditing, Financial Activity Analysis, Taxation out of the total credit hours (or class hours) of the entire program; or hold a bachelor's degree in other majors and have diplomas or certificates from international professional organizations in accounting and auditing ensuring compliance with the provisions of Article 9 of this Circular;

3. Have at least 36 months of actual work experience in finance, accounting, auditing, calculated from the graduation month recorded on the bachelor's (or postgraduate) degree certificate to the date of application for the examination. Actual work experience in auditing includes time spent as an audit assistant at an auditing firm, time spent in internal auditing at an internal audit department of an entity, and time spent auditing at the State Audit Office;

4. Submit complete and correct examination application forms and examination fees as prescribed;

5. Not fall within the categories specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 52 of the Accounting Law.

Article 5. Examination Application Documents

1. For candidates applying for the first time for an auditor certificate or an accountant certificate, the examination application package shall include:

a)^[3] An examination application form with a color photograph measuring 3x4 cm attached according to the model prescribed in Appendix No. 02a or Appendix No. 02b issued together with this Circular, accompanied by a certificate of actual work experience in finance, accounting, and auditing signed by the legal representative (or authorized person) and stamped with the confirmation seal of the organization or unit according to the model prescribed in Appendix No. 06 issued together with this Circular;

b) ^[4] (abolished)

c) ^[5] Curriculum vitae;

d) Copies of diplomas and certificates as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular, certified by the issuing organization or notarized. If it is a bachelor's degree in other majors, then a transcript with verified credit hours (or class hours) of all subjects must be submitted. In case the candidate submits a master's or doctoral degree, a transcript with verified major must be submitted;

đ) Three recent color photographs measuring 3x4 cm taken within six months and two envelopes with stamps and clearly marked with the name, address of the recipient.

2. For candidates applying for additional subjects that they have not yet taken or retaking subjects that they did not pass or taking examinations to achieve the total score as prescribed in Clause 4, Article 18 of this Circular, the application package shall include:

a)^[6] An examination application form with a color photograph measuring 3x4 cm attached according to the model prescribed in Appendix No. 02a or Appendix No. 02b issued together with this Circular;

b) ^[7] (abolished)

c) Photographs and envelopes as prescribed in Point đ, Clause 1 of this Article.

3. For those holding an accountant certificate wishing to apply for an auditor certificate, the examination application package shall include:

a)^[8] An examination application form with a color photograph measuring 3x4 cm attached according to the model prescribed in Appendix No. 02b issued together with this Circular;

b)^[9] (abolished)

c)^[10] Curriculum vitae;

d)^[11] (abolished)

đ) Photographs and envelopes as prescribed in Point đ, Clause 1 of this Article.

4. Examination application packages are issued by the Examination Board according to a unified model. Candidates must submit their applications to the Examination Board or units authorized by the Examination Board within the deadline announced by the Examination Board.

5. Units receiving examination applications will only accept applications if candidates submit all required documents and pay the full examination fee.

6. Examination fees will be refunded to candidates who do not meet the examination conditions or who have submitted a request not to participate in the examination within ten days from the date the Examination Board announces the list of eligible candidates.

Article 6. Examination Content

1. Candidates for an accountant certificate shall take four subjects:

a) Economic laws and Business Law;

b) Finance and advanced financial management;

c) Taxation and advanced tax management;

d) Financial accounting and advanced management accounting.

2. Candidates for an auditor certificate shall take seven subjects:

a) Economic laws and Business Law;

b) Finance and advanced financial management;

c) Taxation and advanced tax management;

d) Financial accounting and advanced management accounting;

d) Audit and assurance services advanced;

e) Advanced financial activity analysis;

g) Level C proficiency in one of five common foreign languages: English, Russian, French, Chinese, German.

3. Individuals holding a certified accountant certificate who wish to obtain a certified auditor certificate must take the following three subjects:

a) Audit and assurance services advanced;

b) Advanced financial activity analysis;

c) Level C proficiency in one of five common foreign languages: English, Russian, French, Chinese, German.

4. The content of each subject includes both theoretical and practical components as specified in Appendix No. 01 of this Circular. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for drafting, updating, and publicly disclosing the content and curriculum for study and examination preparation for obtaining certified auditor and certified accountant certificates.

Article 7. Examination format

For each subject prescribed in Article 6 of this Circular (except for the foreign language subject), candidates must complete a written exam within 180 minutes. For the foreign language subject, candidates must complete a written exam within 120 minutes.

Article 8. Organization of examination sessions

1. The examination board shall organize at least one examination session annually in either the third or fourth quarter. At least 60 days before the examination date, the examination board shall officially announce on mass media the conditions, standards, time, location, and other necessary information related to the examination.

2. Within a maximum period of 60 days from the end of the examination, the examination board must publish the results of each subject and notify the candidates. In special cases requiring an extension of the announcement period, the Chairman of the examination board may decide, but the extended period shall not exceed 30 days.

Article 9. Certificates and credentials issued by international professional organizations in accounting and auditing

Certificates and credentials obtained from completing courses provided by international professional organizations in accounting and auditing will be recognized according to Clause 2 of Article 4 of this Circular if they meet the following conditions simultaneously:

1. The international professional organization issuing the certificates and credentials must be a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) with a representative office or branch operating in Vietnam.

2. The international professional organization must have signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam regarding the joint certification program for professional certified auditors.

3. The course content leading to the issuance of certificates and credentials must include a total of between 500 to 600 class hours (or lessons) in finance, accounting, and auditing.

4. The learning, examination, and issuance of certificates and credentials for students upon completion of the courses must be uniformly implemented in all countries where the international professional organization has representative offices or branches.

Section 2. ORGANIZATION OF EXAMINATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH FOREIGN CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT OR AUDITOR CERTIFICATES

Article 10. Conditions for taking the examination and examination content

1. Individuals holding certified accountant or certified auditor certificates from foreign professional organizations recognized by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam who wish to obtain a certified auditor or certified accountant certificate of Vietnam must take an examination on Vietnamese laws.

If the organization issuing the certified accountant or certified auditor certificate is a competent authority (not a professional organization), then the candidate must be a regular member of a professional organization in accounting and auditing, and that organization must be a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The content of the courses and examinations for obtaining the certified accountant or certified auditor certificate must be equivalent to or higher than the content prescribed in Article 6 of this Circular.

2. Foreign professional organizations recognized by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam must meet the following conditions:

a) Being a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC);

b) Having course content and examination requirements for obtaining certified auditor and certified accountant certificates that are equivalent to or higher than those prescribed in Article 6 of this Circular.

3. Foreign professional organizations recognized by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam under the conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article include:

a) The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) of the United Kingdom;

b) CPA Australia;

c) Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

d) Other foreign professional organizations meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article are recognized by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam for certified accountant or certified auditor certificates.

4. The content of the examination for obtaining a certified auditor certificate includes the following parts:

a) Economic laws and Business Law;

b) Finance and financial management;

c) Taxation and tax management;

d) Financial accounting and management accounting;

d) Audit and assurance services.

5. The content of the examination for obtaining a certified accountant certificate includes the parts prescribed in points a, b, c, and d of Clause 4 of this Article.

6. The content and requirements of each part of the examination are specified in Appendix No. 01.

7. Individuals meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, who have participated and met the requirements of the joint examinations organized by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam with ACCA, are exempted from taking the parts prescribed in points a and c of Clause 4 of this Article during the validity period of the Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam and ACCA.

8. The language used in the examination is Vietnamese.

9. The examination duration is 180 minutes for all five parts. Participants in four parts have 145 minutes, while participants in three parts have 110 minutes.

Article 11. Registration Documents for Examination and Assessment

1. Application documents for registration to take the examination include:

a)^[12] The registration form must be attached with a 3x4cm photo according to the model specified in Appendix No. 02c issued together with this Circular;

b) A certified copy or a certified translation into Vietnamese of the professional accountant certificate or foreign auditor certificate;

c) Documentation (including a certified translation into Vietnamese if the documentation is in a foreign language) proving that the examinee is a formal member of a professional organization;

d) Three 3x4cm color photos taken within six months and two envelopes with stamps and clearly marked with the recipient's full name and address;

đ)^[13] (abolished)

e)^[14] Curriculum vitae;

g) Documentation proving that they meet all conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 10 of this Circular for foreign professional organizations as defined in Point d, Clause 3, Article 10 of this Circular.

2. Application documents for the examination are issued by the Examination Board according to a unified model. Applicants must submit their application documents to the Examination Board at least thirty days before the examination date.

Article 12. Examination Results

1. The examination grading scale is a 100-point scale. Examination scores range from 1 point upwards.

2. For examinations to issue auditor certificates, a passing score is 70 points or higher; or 42 points or higher for those exempted from certain sections as provided in Points a and c, Clause 4, Article 10 of this Circular; or 56 points or higher for those exempted from either section a or section c as provided in Clause 4, Article 10 of this Circular.

3. For examinations to issue accounting certificate, a passing score is 56 points or higher; or 28 points or higher for those exempted from certain sections as provided in Points a and c, Clause 4, Article 10 of this Circular; or 42 points or higher for those exempted from either section a or section c as provided in Clause 4, Article 10 of this Circular.

4. Examination results will be notified to each examinee. Those who meet the passing criteria as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article will be granted an auditor certificate by the Ministry of Finance. Those who meet the passing criteria as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article will be granted an accounting certificate by the Ministry of Finance.

5. Other provisions shall be implemented in accordance with this Circular.

Section 3. AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING EXAMINATION BOARD

Article 13. Examination Board for Auditors and Accountants

1. The examination board is established by the Minister of Finance upon the proposal of the Director of the Accounting and Auditing System Department and the Director of the Cadre Organization Department.

2. The examination board is responsible for organizing auditing and accounting examinations in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Finance. In each examination period, the Chairman of the Examination Board must establish the Examining Committee, the Invigilating Committee, the Marking Committee, and the Re-marking Committee (if necessary).

Article 14. Composition of the Examination Board

1. The examination board is established for each examination period. The composition of the examination board does not exceed eleven members, including:

a) The Chairman of the Examination Board is a leader of the Ministry of Finance or a Deputy Director authorized by the Minister of Finance;

b) Four Vice Chairmen are leaders of the Accounting and Auditing System Department, the Cadre Organization Department of the Ministry of Finance, and professional organizations in accounting and auditing, among which the leader of the Accounting and Auditing System Department is the permanent Vice Chairman;

c) Secretariat members and other members of the Examination Board are representatives of some units under the Ministry of Finance.

2. An individual may not serve as a member of the Examination Board for more than three consecutive examination periods, except in specific cases decided by the Minister of Finance.

3. If a person has a father, mother, child, brother, sister, or half-sibling, spouse, or spouse's parent participating in an examination, they may not participate in the Examination Board and all related departments of that examination.

4. Anyone involved in tutoring or guiding review sessions for an examination may not serve as a member of the Examination Board, set examination questions, approve examination questions, mark examinations (including first marking and re-marking). Members of the Examination Board for an examination may not teach, tutor, guide study, or review for that examination. Anyone who has participated in the first marking may not participate in re-marking.

5. The office of the Examination Board is located at the Accounting and Auditing System Department - Ministry of Finance.

6. The Standing Committee assisting the Examination Board is established by the Chairman of the Examination Board upon the proposal of the Accounting and Auditing System Department. The composition of the Standing Committee does not exceed nine people.

7. The functions and responsibilities of the committees established and organized by the Examination Board, including the Standing Committee, the Examining Committee, the Invigilating Committee, the Marking Committee, and the Re-marking Committee, are regulated by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 15. Working Regime of the Examination Council

1. The Examination Council operates under a collective regime. Decisions of the Examination Council are adopted when at least two-thirds of the members agree.

2. The Examination Council may use the seal of the Ministry of Finance during its operational period.

3. The Examination Council uses administrative time to organize meetings and activities within its duties and powers. Members of the Examination Council are entitled to remuneration deducted from examination costs at levels approved by the Ministry of Finance.

4. The program and content of each Examination Council meeting must be notified in writing to members five days before the meeting.

Article 16. Responsibilities and Powers of the Examination Council

1. Publicly announce the examination plan through mass media.

2. Accepting, examining applications, establishing and reviewing candidate lists for the examination.

3. Develop examination questions and answers for each examination session.

4. Organizing the examination and grading.

5. Summarizing examination results for each examination period and submitting them to the Ministry of Finance for approval.

6. Announcing examination results and informing candidates of their scores according to the approved results of the Ministry of Finance.

7. Organizing a re-examination of examination results if candidates request it.

8. Preserving and archiving examination questions, answers, and related materials until they are transferred as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

9. Proactively proposing or participating in improving regulations on examinations and issuing auditing certificates and accounting certificates when required.

Article 17. Duties and Powers of Examination Council Members

1. Chairman of the Examination Council:

a) Responsible for organizing and implementing the duties and powers of the Examination Council as stipulated in this Circular;

b) Assigning responsibilities to Vice Chairmen and other members of the Examination Council;

c) Deciding on the establishment of the Question Setting Committee, the Supervision Committee, the Grading Committee, and the Re-grading Committee;

d) Organizing the preparation of examination questions and sealed answer keys, selecting questions and answers according to the specified content and program, ensuring absolute secrecy of the questions and answers before the examination; Inviting experts to review the questions if necessary;

đ) Reporting to the Minister of Finance the results of each examination;

e) Delegating authority to the Acting Vice Chairman of the Examination Council to manage the council's work in the absence of the Chairman.

2. Acting Vice Chairman of the Examination Council: Managing regular operations of the council as assigned by the Chairman.

3. Vice Chairmen and members of the Examination Council: Performing tasks as assigned by the Chairman.

4. Secretary Member of the Examination Council:

a) Organizing the acceptance of candidate applications, presenting the list of candidates for examination approval to the Examination Council;

b) Preparing necessary documents for the Examination Council and recording minutes of council meetings;

c) Compiling lists of qualified and unqualified candidates for examination approval and publicly announcing the list of successful candidates on the Ministry of Finance’s website;

d) Collecting disciplinary violation records of candidates and submitting them to the Examination Council for review;

đ) Other tasks assigned by the Chairman of the Examination Council.

Section 4. EXAMINATION RESULTS, PRESERVATION, APPROVAL, AND CANCELLATION OF EXAMINATION RESULTS

Article 18. Examination Results, Preservation of Examination Results, and Meeting Requirements

1. Passing a subject: A passing subject is one with a score of 5 or higher.

2. Preservation of Examination Results: Scores of passing subjects are preserved for three consecutive years starting from the year the subject was first taken.

Example: If someone starts taking the exam in 2017, then the scores of passing subjects in 2017 will be preserved for the years 2018 and 2019. By 2019, if the candidate has not yet met the requirements, the examination results for 2020 will be considered together with those of 2018, 2019, and 2020. Similarly for subsequent years starting from 2021.

3. Increasing Scores: Candidates who have passed all subjects except the Foreign Language subject as stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 6 but have not met the requirements as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article may choose some subjects to retake for increased scores, with the final result being the highest score obtained during the preservation period.

4. Meeting Requirements:

a) For candidates applying for an Accounting Certificate: Candidates who pass all four subjects as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 6 and have a total score of 25 points or more from preserved subjects are deemed to meet the requirements;

b) For candidates applying for an Auditing Certificate: Candidates who pass all seven subjects as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 6 and have a total score of 38 points or more from preserved subjects (excluding the Foreign Language subject) are deemed to meet the requirements;

c) For candidates holding an Accounting Certificate applying for an Auditing Certificate: Candidates who pass all three subjects as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 6 and have a total score of 12.5 points or more from preserved subjects (excluding the Foreign Language subject) are deemed to meet the requirements.

5. Candidates who meet the requirements as stipulated in Point a Clause 4 of this Article shall be issued an Accounting Certificate. Candidates who meet the requirements as stipulated in Points b or c Clause 4 of this Article shall be issued an Auditing Certificate.

Article 19. Approval of examination results

1. The examination board shall base on the marking results of each subject to compile a list of examination results for each subject of candidates and submit it to the Ministry of Finance for approval for each examination period.

2. Within fifteen days from the date of announcement of examination results, candidates have the right to request a re-examination of their papers by submitting a petition to the Chairman of the Examination Board. In case of re-marking, the examination result will be based on the re-examination score.

Article 20. Cancellation of examination results

Examination scores of subjects taken outside the period of validity for retention will be cancelled.

Article 21. Certificate of Examination Scores

Based on the approved examination results, the Chairman of the Examination Board shall issue a Certificate of Examination Scores for each candidate (Annex No. 03a, Annex No. 03b, Annex No. 03c). The Certificate of Examination Scores serves as the basis for applying to take examinations for unattempted subjects, retake examinations for subjects not meeting requirements, or apply to take examinations to improve scores (for candidates who have not attempted all required subjects or have not met the requirements for all subjects).

Section 5. ISSUANCE AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATES FOR AUDITORS AND ACCOUNTANTS

Article 22. Issuance of Auditor Certificates and Accountant Certificates

1. Within forty-five days from the date of examination results, the Ministry of Finance shall issue an Auditor Certificate or an Accountant Certificate to those who pass the examination.

2. The Auditor Certificate (Annex No. 04) or the Accountant Certificate (Annex No. 05) shall be directly awarded to the certificate holder or their authorized representative; in case of loss, it will not be reissued.

3. The Auditor Certificate and the Accountant Certificate have legal value for registration to practice auditing and accounting according to current laws on auditing and accounting practices.

Article 23. Revocation of Auditor Certificates and Accountant Certificates

1. Auditor Certificates and Accountant Certificates shall be revoked in the following cases:

a) Misrepresenting work experience and time in the application form to meet the conditions for taking the Auditor Certificate and Accountant Certificate examination.

b) Altering, forging, or cheating about academic qualifications and certificates to meet the conditions for taking the Auditor Certificate and Accountant Certificate examination.

c) Taking the examination on behalf of another person or having someone take the examination on one's behalf during the Auditor Certificate and Accountant Certificate examination period.

d) Other cases as prescribed by law.

2. The Ministry of Finance has the authority to revoke Auditor Certificates and Accountant Certificates.

Section 6. SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS

Article 24. Handling Violations by Personnel Involved in Examination Organization Work

1. Violations by personnel involved in examination organization work include:

a) Bringing unauthorized materials or items into the question-setting area, examination room, or marking room.

b) Neglecting responsibilities in preparing for the examination, affecting its results.

c) Distorting facts about candidates' records.

d) Directly solving questions for candidates during the examination.

đ) Revealing the examination paper code.

e) Swapping examination papers, codes, or scores of candidates.

g) Losing candidates' examination papers when collecting, transporting, storing, or marking them.

h) Altering candidates' answers.

i) Correcting scores on examination papers, marking sheets, or score summary tables.

k) Revealing examination questions or answers; buying or selling examination questions or answers.

l) Taking examination questions out of the examination area or bringing solutions from outside into the examination area during the examination.

m) Organized examination cheating.

2. Personnel involved in examination organization work who commit violations as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be immediately suspended from participating in examination organization work upon discovery of the violation, and depending on the severity of the violation, they may be subject to disciplinary actions by the relevant management body according to related laws, which may include a ban from undertaking tasks related to the Examination Board for one to five years.

Article 25. Handling violations by candidates

1. Warning for candidates who talk or exchange papers with others.

2. Preparing a warning record for candidates who continue to talk or exchange papers with others despite having been warned. In this case, the candidate will have 25% deducted from their test score.

3. Preparing a record to suspend the examination subject for candidates committing any of the following violations:

a) Continuing to violate after being recorded for talking or exchanging papers with others;

b) Passing scratch paper or test papers to other candidates or receiving scratch paper or test papers from other candidates;

c) Bringing prohibited materials and items into the examination room during the period from when the questions are distributed until the end of the examination time but not yet used;

d) Intentionally failing to comply with the examination questions.

4. Preparing a record to suspend the examination session for candidates committing any of the following violations:

a) Using prohibited materials and items in the examination room during the period from when the questions are distributed until the end of the examination time;

b) Using materials, technical devices for receiving, transmitting, recording audio or video, information storage devices that can be exploited to answer examination questions in any form, both inside and outside the examination room;

c) Intentionally not submitting the examination paper, tearing up another person's examination paper or using another person's examination paper to submit as their own.

5. Candidates whose examinations are suspended must leave the examination room immediately after the invigilator prepares the suspension record and receives a decision from the Examination Center Director; they must hand over their examination answers and questions to the invigilator and may only leave the examination area after two-thirds of the examination time has passed.

6. Candidates committing any of the violations stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article during the examination of a particular subject will receive zero points for that subject. Candidates committing any of the violations stipulated in Point c and Point d of Clause 3 of this Article will not be allowed to take subsequent subjects. Candidates committing any of the violations stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article will not be allowed to take subsequent subjects and will have their entire examination results canceled.

7. Canceling the current examination results and previous examination results, and revoking the right to participate in the next two examination sessions or referring the matter to competent authorities to pursue criminal responsibility for candidates committing any of the following violations:

a) Assaulting invigilators, examination organizers, and other candidates;

b) Causing disturbances leading to loss of security and order in the examination area, resulting in serious consequences for the examination;

c) Falsifying examination application forms, taking exams on behalf of others, or asking others to take exams on their behalf.

8. Disciplinary actions against candidates must be announced to the candidates. If a candidate violates during the examination process and refuses to sign the violation record, two invigilators will sign the record to confirm the candidate's violation. If there is disagreement between the invigilators and the Examination Center Director regarding the handling method, both parties' opinions will be noted in the record to report to the Examination Board for a decision.

Article 26. Handling cases of violations during marking

1. For examination papers suspected of having marks indicating cheating, collective marking shall be organized. If there is sufficient credible evidence for examiners and the Head Examiner to conclude that it is intentional misconduct by the candidate, 25% of the total score for that subject will be deducted.

2. Awarding zero points for examination papers written on incorrect paper or intentionally written in different types of characters or ink to mark the examination paper.

3. For examination papers torn by other candidates, based on the invigilation record, normal marking will proceed and the examination result will be recognized.

Chapter III. IMPLEMENTATION

Article 27. Transitional Provisions

1. Accounting practice certificates issued according to the following consolidated documents have the same value as the accounting certificate stipulated in this Circular:

- Decision No. 59/2004/QD-BTC dated July 9, 2004, of the Ministry of Finance promulgating the Regulations on Examination and Issuance of Auditing Certificates and Accounting Practice Certificates;

- Decision No. 94/2007/QD-BTC dated November 16, 2007, of the Ministry of Finance on promulgating the Regulations on Examination and Issuance of Auditing Certificates and Accounting Practice Certificates;

- Circular No. 171/2009/TT-BTC dated August 24, 2009, of the Ministry of Finance amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Regulations on Examination and Issuance of Auditing Certificates and Accounting Practice Certificates issued together with Decision No. 94/2007/QD-BTC dated November 16, 2007, of the Minister of Finance;

- Circular No. 129/2012/TT-BTC dated August 9, 2012, of the Ministry of Finance on regulations concerning examination and issuance of Auditing Certificates and Accounting Practice Certificates.

2. Accounting Practice Certificate scores issued for previous examination sessions according to Circular No. 129/2012/TT-BTC dated August 9, 2012, of the Ministry of Finance on regulations concerning examination and issuance of Auditing Certificates and Accounting Practice Certificates have the same value as the Accounting Certificate stipulated in this Circular.

3. Candidates taking the examination for the first time in 2015 and 2016 are subject to the provisions of Clause 2 of Article 18 of this Circular.

Article 28. Effective Date^[15]

This Circular takes effect from October 15, 2017, and replaces Circular No. 129/2012/TT-BTC dated August 9, 2012, of the Ministry of Finance on regulations concerning examination and issuance of Auditing Certificates and Accounting Practice Certificates.

Article 29. Implementation Organization

The Accounting System and Audit Department Director, the Cadre Organization Department Director, the Chairman of the Examination Council for Auditors and Accountants, and the Heads of related units are responsible for implementing this Circular./.

ANNEX NO. 01

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

CONTENTS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXAMINATION SUBJECT/PART

I. THE SUBJECTS INCLUDE:

1. Economic Law and Business Law.

2. Advanced Financial Management.

3. Advanced Taxation and Tax Administration.

4. Advanced Financial Accounting and Management Accounting.

5. Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services.

6. Advanced Financial Activity Analysis.

7. Foreign Language.

II. CONTENT AND REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SUBJECT

1. Economic Law and Business Law

1.1. Business Law

+ General issues about businesses;

+ Types of businesses.

1.2. Investment Law

+ General issues about investment;

+ Forms of investment.

1.3. Contract Law in the field of business and trade

+ General issues about contracts;

+ Contracts in the field of business and trade.

1.4. Competition Law

1.5. Bankruptcy Law

1.6. Dispute Resolution Law in Business and Trade

1.7. Labor Law.

2. Advanced Financial Management and Financial Management

2.1. Basic issues in finance

+ The function of financial management in enterprises;

+ The time value of money;

+ Bond and stock valuation;

+ Financial markets;

+ Calculation and analysis of financial indicators.

2.2. Sources of funding for enterprises

+ Long-term sources of funding;

+ Short-term sources of funding;

+ Leverage system and capital structure;

+ Cost of capital usage;

+ Capital source structure.

2.3. Management of long-term and short-term assets

+ Fixed assets, long-term assets;

+ Current assets, short-term assets.

2.4. Evaluation of investment projects and capital investment decisions of enterprises

+ Investment decision and project evaluation process;

+ Discounted cash flow method;

+ Other methods.

2.5. Enterprise valuation

+ Nature and objectives of enterprise valuation;

+ Methods to determine enterprise value.

2.6. Financial management of a Limited Liability Company with State ownership and state-owned enterprise reform

+ Financial management of a Limited Liability Company with State ownership and management of State capital invested in other enterprises;

+ Financial handling of activities related to buying, transferring, receiving, processing debts and surplus assets of enterprises;

+ Financial handling when establishing, restructuring, and dissolving a Limited Liability Company with State ownership.

3. Taxation and advanced tax management

3.1. Value-added tax

3.2. Special consumption tax

3.3. Export tax, import tax

3.4. Corporate income tax

3.5. Personal income tax

3.6. Other types of taxes

3.7. Law on tax administration

3.8. Tax planning.

4. Advanced financial accounting and management accounting

4.1. Accounting laws

+ Accounting Law and guiding documents;

+ Vietnamese accounting standards;

+ Basic principles and contents of ethical standards for accounting and auditing professions;

+ Accounting regulations;

4.2. Preparation of financial statements for accounting units

4.3. Consolidated financial statement preparation

4.4. Management accounting

+ Basic issues in management accounting;

+ Cost accounting;

+ Short-term decision making.

5. Advanced auditing and assurance services

5.1. Auditing laws:

+ Independent auditing law and guiding documents;

+ System of auditing standards, review standards, other assurance service standards, related services, and ethical standards for accounting and auditing in Vietnam.

5.2. Practice of auditing

+ Basic principles and contents of ethical standards for auditing;

+ Professional responsibilities and obligations;

+ Management of auditing practice;

+ Auditing procedures;

+ Audit plan;

+ Evidence collection for auditing;

+ Evaluation and review;

+ Audit report;

+ Internal audit;

+ Review of financial statements, verification of financial information based on agreed-upon procedures and audit reports on special audit engagements;

+ Assurance services.

6. Advanced financial activity analysis

6.1. Basic issues in financial activity analysis

6.2. Financial activity analysis of enterprises

+ General assessment of financial activities;

+ Analysis of asset and capital structure and their fluctuations;

+ Analysis of financing conditions and capital security levels;

+ Solvency analysis;

+ Profitability and cash flow situation analysis;

+ Break-even point analysis and decision-making;

+ Analysis of capital utilization efficiency;

+ Financial risk analysis and financial needs forecasting.

7. Foreign language

- Requirement: Level C of one of five common foreign languages: English, Russian, French, Chinese, German.

- Skills: Reading, writing, translating.

APPENDIX NO. 02a^[16]

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

1. Full name (in uppercase letters): …………………………………………………………………………

2.^[17] Date of birth: …Male (Female): …

ID number/Citizen identification card number/Passport number …………………………………………

3. Place of origin (or Nationality - for foreigners): …

4. Phone number: …Email: …

5. Position, current workplace: …

6. Professional qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree: …Major: …Year:…

- Bachelor's degree: …Major: …Year:…

- Postgraduate degree: …Major: …Year:…

7. Actual time spent working in finance, accounting, and auditing (attach proof of actual time spent working in finance, accounting, and auditing):

8. Registration for examination:

(1) First time □ (2) Second year □ (3) Third year □ ... (4) Year ... □

9. Registration for examination at:            Hanoi □                   Ho Chi Minh City □

10. Mark the subject(s) registered for examination in the table below:

APPENDIX NO. 02b^[18]

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

1. Full name (in uppercase letters): …………………………………………………………………………

2.^[19] Date of birth: …Male (Female): ………

ID number/Citizen identification card number/Passport number …………………………………………

3. Place of origin (or Nationality - for foreigners): …

4. Phone number: …Email: …

5. Position, current workplace: …

6. Professional qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree: …Major: …Year:...

- Bachelor's degree: …Major: …Year:...

- Postgraduate degree: …Major: …Year:...

7. Actual time spent working in finance, accounting, and auditing (attach proof of actual time spent working in finance, accounting, and auditing):

8. Registration for examination:

(1) First time □   (2) Second year □   (3) Third year □   ... (4) Year ... □

(5) Hold a certified public accountant certificate and apply for transfer examination to obtain Certified Public Accountant Certificate □

9. Registration for examination at:            Hanoi □                   Ho Chi Minh City □

10. Mark the subject(s) registered for examination in the table below:

APPENDIX NO. 02c^[20]

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

1. Full name (in uppercase letters): ……………………………………………………………………….

2.^[21] Date of birth: …Male (Female): …

ID number/Citizen identification card number/Passport number ………………………………………

3. Place of origin (or Nationality - for foreigners): …

4. Phone number: …Email: …

5. Position, current workplace: …

6. Professional qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree: …Major: …Year:...

- Bachelor's degree: …Major: …Year:...

- Postgraduate degree: …Major: …Year:...

7. Foreign Certified Public Accountant Certificate / Foreign Certified Accountant Specialist Certificate:

Certificate name: …Abbreviation: …

Number: …Date: …Issuing organization: …

Is the issuing organization a member of IFAC? Yes           No

Participate and meet requirements in two subjects (Business Law and Business and Tax Law) according to the joint examination program between the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) of the United Kingdom

Yes □                                No □

8. Register to take the exam at:                    Hanoi □                         Ho Chi Minh City □

9. Register for the exam: Auditor □                        Accountant □

10. Work experience:

ANNEX NO. 03a

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY
ACCOUNTANT EXAM SCORES
Year ...

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING EXAMINATION BOARD
CERTIFICATE:

1. Mr./Ms: …

2. Year of birth: …  Registration number: …

3. Place of work: …

4. Participated in and achieved scores in the following subjects:

ANNEX NO. 03b

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY
AUDITOR EXAM SCORES

Year ...

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING EXAMINATION BOARD
CERTIFICATE:

1. Mr./Ms: …

2. Year of birth: …  Registration number: …

3. Place of work: …

4. Participated in and achieved scores in the following subjects:

ANNEX NO. 03c

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION SCORE FOR FOREIGN COUNTRY AUDITOR CREDENTIAL HOLDER

Year ...

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING EXAMINATION BOARD
CERTIFICATE:

1. Mr./Ms: …

2. Year of birth: …

3. Nationality: …

4. Registration number: …

5. Place of work: …

6. Examination score...In words…

ANNEX NO. 04

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

ANNEX NO. 05

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

ACCOUNTANT’S CERTIFICATE

ACCOUNTANT’S CERTIFICATE

Minister of Finance

Passed the Accountant's Certificate examination organised by the Ministry of Finance in month... year...

Has passed the Accountant's Certificate examination organised by the Ministry of Finance on...

Certificate number:.../ACCOUNTANT

No.:…/ACCOUNTANT

Signature/ Accountant’s signature

ANNEX NO. 06

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

CERTIFICATE
ACTUAL TIME SPENT IN FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, AND AUDITING

1. Full name: …

2. Year of birth: …

3.^[22] ID number/Citizen identification card number/Passport number ………………………………

4. Registered permanent residence at: …

5. Current place of residence: …

6. Request the agency/unit to confirm the actual time spent in finance, accounting, and auditing at the agency/unit as follows:

Note: Each agency/unit has the authority to confirm information of individuals during their working period at that agency/unit.

ANNEX NO. 06

(Issued together with Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Finance)

CERTIFICATE
ACTUAL TIME SPENT IN FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, AND AUDITING

1. Full name: …

2. Year of birth: …

3.^[22] ID number/Citizen identification card number/Passport number ………………………………

4. Registered permanent residence at: …

5. Current place of residence: …

6. Request the agency/unit to confirm the actual time spent in finance, accounting, and auditing at the agency/unit as follows:

Note: Each agency/unit has the authority to confirm information of individuals during their working period at that agency/unit.

^[1] This Circular is consolidated from the following 03 Circulars:

- Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017 of the Ministry of Finance on examination, issuance, management of auditor credentials and accountant credentials, effective from October 15, 2017.

- Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC dated June 27, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circulars related to submission, presentation, and when providing local administrative confirmation information regarding household registration books, temporary residence books, or other required documents when implementing policies or administrative procedures under the Ministry of Finance's jurisdiction, effective from March 27, 2023.

- Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC dated March 26, 2024 of the Ministry of Finance amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 202/2012/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2012 of the Minister of Finance guiding the registration, management, and public disclosure of lists of practicing auditors, Circular No. 203/2012/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2012 of the Minister of Finance on procedures, issuance, management, and use of Certificates of Eligibility for Accounting Services, and Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017 of the Minister of Finance stipulating examination, issuance, and management of auditor certificates and accountant certificates, effective from July 1, 2024.

This Consolidated Document does not replace the aforementioned 03 Circulars.

^[2] - Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC is based on the following grounds:

Pursuant to the Independent Auditing Law dated March 29, 2011;

Pursuant to the Law on Prices dated June 20, 2012;

Pursuant to the Accounting Law dated November 20, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law on Fees and Charges dated November 25, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law on Tax Administration dated June 13, 2019;

Pursuant to the Securities Law promulgated on November 26, 2019;

Based on the Residence Law dated November 13, 2020;

Pursuant to Decree No. 104/2022/NĐ-CP dated December 21, 2022 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of decrees related to submission, presentation of household registration books, temporary residence books, or other required documents when implementing administrative procedures, providing public services;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2023/NĐ-CP dated April 20, 2023, issued by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Finance issues this Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circulars related to submission, presentation, and declaration of information regarding household registration books, temporary residence books, or other required documents from local administrative authorities when implementing policies or administrative procedures under the Ministry of Finance's jurisdiction.

- Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC is based on the following grounds:

Pursuant to the Independent Auditing Law dated March 29, 2011;

Pursuant to Decree No. 17/2012/NĐ-CP dated March 13, 2012 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Independent Audit Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2023/NĐ-CP dated April 20, 2023, issued by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

At the request of the Director of the Accounting and Auditing Supervision Department;

The Minister of Finance issues this Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 202/2012/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2012 of the Minister of Finance guiding the registration, management, and public disclosure of the list of practicing auditors, Circular No. 203/2012/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2012 of the Minister of Finance on the procedure, formalities, issuance, management, and use of certificates proving eligibility for auditing services, and Circular No. 91/2017/TT-BTC dated August 31, 2017 of the Minister of Finance on examination, issuance, and management of auditor credentials and accountant credentials.

^[3] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[4] This point is abolished according to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, effective from July 1, 2024.

^[5] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 2, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[6] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 3, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[7] This point is abolished according to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, effective from July 1, 2024.

^[8] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 4, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[9] This point is abolished according to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, effective from July 1, 2024.

^[10] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 5, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[11] This point is abolished according to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, effective from July 1, 2024.

^[12] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 6, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[13] This point is abolished according to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, effective from July 1, 2024.

^[14] This point is amended and supplemented according to Clause 7, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, effective from June 27, 2023.

^[15] Article 9 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC provides as follows:

Article 9. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from June 27, 2023.

2. The Director of the Ministry of Finance’s Office, the Head of the Legal Department, the Director of the Price Management Department, the Director of the Accounting and Auditing Supervision Department, the Commissioner of the General Department of Taxation, the Chairman of the State Securities Commission, the Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Finance, and related organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular./.

- Article 4 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC provides as follows:

Article 4. Effective date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2024.

2. The Director of the Accounting and Auditing Supervision Department, the Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Finance, and related organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular./.

^[16] Repeal the phrase "Confirmation from the agency or unit where currently employed or the People's Committee of the locality where residing" as stipulated in Clause 8, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, which becomes effective from June 27, 2023.

^[17] Add the phrase "ID card/Residence book/Citizen card/Passport number..." as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, which becomes effective from July 1, 2024.

^[18] Repeal the phrase "Confirmation from the agency or unit where currently employed or the People's Committee of the locality where residing" as stipulated in Clause 8, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, which becomes effective from June 27, 2023.

^[19] Add the phrase "ID card/Residence book/Citizen card/Passport number..." as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, which becomes effective from July 1, 2024.

^[20] Repeal the phrase "Confirmation from the agency or unit where currently employed or the People's Committee of the locality where residing" as stipulated in Clause 8, Article 5 of Circular No. 43/2023/TT-BTC, which becomes effective from June 27, 2023.

^[21] Add the phrase "ID card/Residence book/Citizen card/Passport number..." as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC, which becomes effective from July 1, 2024.

^[22] This point has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC dated March 26, 2024, which becomes effective from July 1, 2024.

^[22] This point has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1, Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BTC dated March 26, 2024, which becomes effective from July 1, 2024.