Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda

The ICPAU has direct responsibility for the quality assurance (QA) review system in Uganda in accordance with the Accountants Act 2013 and the accompanying Accountants (Practice) Regulations, 2019. The ICPAU has operated a QA review system that is in line with SMO 1 benchmark since 2007 with the fourth cycle of audit quality reviews completed in December 2020. The key findings and recommendations from the fourth cycle of reviews have been made publicly available and were extensively discussed with ICPAU members. Based on the results, the Institute’s Quality Assurance Board (QAB) has required firms with poor quality work to implement remedial action and submit progress reports every six months; required practitioners to undergo mandatory mentorship for a period of 12 months and attend practical model audit file training to improve audit quality. In addition to routine QA reviews, the QAB carried out reviews on the following topics of significant public interest: implementation of the new auditor’s report standards; Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements; and implementation of IFRS 9.

The fifth quality assurance review cycle commenced in 2021 and is set to be completed in April 2024. During this new 3-year cycle, ICPAU will continue to perform reviews on firms selected on a risk basis.

ICPAU provides training for QA reviewers, updates the QA methodology, and reviews procedures on an ongoing basis. In 2022, the review team underwent training on the new and revised standards: namely, ISA 220 Revised, ISQM 1, and ISQM 2. ICPAU also participates in the PAFA trainings for QA reviewers. In addition to the routine quality assurance review program, ICPAU will conduct AML/CFT onsite inspection. By October 2023, seven (7) firms had undergone an onsite inspection for compliance with AML requirements. The ICPAU QA methodology & procedures have been reviewed and updated in 2023 to reflect changes in the standards and the regulatory environment.

The ICPAU also provides training, guidance, and tools (sample audit manual and sample quality control manual) to support its members with the QA review process. Furthermore, it is focusing on providing support to small and medium practitioners (SMP) and has shared guides issued by IFAC’s SMP Committee. The Institute raises awareness of these available resources through the “Technical Resources Section” of its website, e-newsletters, emails, and seminars.

Current Status: Sustain

In accordance with Sections 12 and 15 of the Accountants Act 2013, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) establishes initial professional development (IPD) and continuous professional development (CPD) requirements for professional accountants, oversees the implementation of those requirements, and advises regulators of educational institutions on the curricula of study in accountancy-related courses.

The ICPAU works to ensure that the accountancy education requirements and programs leading to its qualifications (Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD), and Certified Tax Advisor (CTA)) comply with the IES requirements in accordance with its mandate under the Accountants Act 2013. The ICPAU’s Public Accountants Examination Board (PAEB) develops the syllabus and curriculum, conducts the examinations, appoints, and trains examiners, and defines the rules governing the examinations process. The syllabus must then be approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) which is the regulatory body for higher education in Uganda.

ICPAU reports that through the DFID-funded IFAC PAO Capacity Building Program and its partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) it has mapped the IPD requirements leading to all three qualifications to meet the IES. The syllabi, study materials, and exams for the qualifications were launched in 2016. To prepare students to sit for the exams, the institute provides multiple resources including physical study packs and sample papers with solutions and the qualifications’ syllabi on its website. To register as an ICPAU student, candidates must have a degree from a recognized university or an Accounting Technician certificate from a recognized training. The ICPAU maintains a list of recognized universities and learning institutions and participates in the accreditation process led by the NCHE.

It was previously noted that there were challenges in preparing students in remote areas for the examination due to difficulties in accessing relevant training materials. With the new study packs now available, preparing for the exam is more accessible to students. Additionally, ICPAU has set up regional exam centers to serve more candidates.

Candidates must also complete a minimum of three years’ practical experience training. The Accountants Regulations 2016 provides a competency framework focused on work outcomes in both technical and non-technical areas that must be demonstrated to align with the revised IES 5. ICAS provided practical experience training guidance and workshops to support employers and trainees. ICPAU indicates that it will continue to review and approve employers to provide practical experience training. An online practical experience training logbook has also been rolled out to enable trainees to document their practical experience training and ICPAU to monitor the candidates’ practical experience training.

Once a member of ICPAU, individuals must fulfill CPD requirements that meet the revised IES 7 requirements, which became effective January 2020. The Accountants Regulations approved in 2016 prescribes input- and output-based CPD requirements. ICPAU also ensures that practicing accountants performing the role of an engagement partner maintain and demonstrate professional competence as required by IES 8. The institute provides a CPD calendar online which indicates the available trainings for the year. ICPAU notes that it has updated its CPD content with support from ICAS and it will use findings from its quality assurance reviews to identify topics for CPD training. Members must submit CPD return forms online to record their compliance with CPD requirements. ICPAU is planning to review and enhance the material supporting the ICPAU CPD Program focusing on the practical application of IFRS, IFRS for SMEs, ISAs, ISQM 1 & 2, IPSASs, and the International Code for Professional Accountants

To continue to support the successful implementation of accountancy education meeting the IES, the ICPAU plans to regularly review its processes and content. ICPAU plans to do this every five years. Its training for staff and examiners is also continuously updated and the institute circulates relevant information issued by the IFAC.

Current Status: Sustain

The ICPAU has direct responsibility for the adoption of applicable auditing standards. It has adopted the ISA as issued by the IAASB on an ongoing basis since 1999 and concentrates on supporting members’ understanding and professional competence in implementing the standards.

ICPAU provides several resources and tools to support practitioners’ implementation of the standards. For example, it has published an illustrative auditor’s report based on the new auditor’s reporting standard effective in 2016 and explanatory note on the same topic. The institute notes that it has put a great deal of effort into trainings on the new standard as there were several queries received. Trainings have been held and the new study material for its examinations includes the latest ISA. Furthermore, as part of the fourth quality assurance (QA) review cycle, the QA Review Team has included the new auditor’s reporting as a thematic area for close review. The institute has further developed resources, for example, the ‘Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Guidance for Auditors’ to guide practitioners on how to apply particular ISA during the COVID-19 era.

The institute participates in the international standard-setting process by submitting comments on exposure drafts and consultation papers to the IAASB. It also ensures it circulates the latest standard updates to its members; for example, it has explained the revisions to ISA 540, and circulated IAASB’s webinar series on the Quality Management Standards. The institute has also shared implementation support material with practicing members such as the ISA Guide developed by the IFAC SMP Committee. ICPAU reports that its CPD materials and CPA syllabi are currently based on the latest IAASB Standards. CPA study textbooks are regularly reviewed to incorporate the new and revised standards.

Finally, the ICPAU plans to begin creating practice guides, manuals, and audit programs to assist small and medium practitioners with the implementation of ISA. For example, it has developed and circulated guidance on auditor reporting standards implementation, and developed a model audit file as a guiding tool for improving audit documentation by accounting firms in compliance with ISAs which was offered in 2022, and developed an article on the Quality Management Standards to help firms prepare.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute is authorized to establish ethical requirements for professional accountants in line with the Accountants Act 2013. The Institute requires professional accountants to adhere to the IESBA Code of Ethics as issued by IESBA which it refers to as the ICPAU Code of Ethics,.

ICPAU notes that it maintains an ongoing process to adopt updated versions of the IESBA Code of Ethics as they become issued by the IESBA. ICPAU offers training to assist members with implementation of ethical requirements. Additionally, it has reviewed its continuing professional development programming and its study materials/syllabi to ensure alignment with the recent versions of the IESBA Code.

Current Status: Sustain

Per national legislation, specifically the Accountants Act 2013 and the Public Finance Management Act 2015, ICPAU and the Accountant General have authority to adopt and approve public sector accounting standards for use in the preparation of government financial statements. Although ICPAU reports that all IPSAS have been adopted without modifications, the government currently uses a modified accrual basis of accounting as a transition towards full accrual.

Through the DFID-funded IFAC PAO Capacity Building Program, its partnership with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy enabled the institute to scope out and develop a PFM roadmap. In 2018, the Public Sector Accountancy Working Group (PSAWG), chaired by the Accountant General, organized a roundtable meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the status of Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms and approved ICPAU’s strategy for implementation support. A situation report on PFM reform in Uganda was developed. Subsequently, ICPAU held the 1st PFM Conference in April 2023 and plans to hold this as an annual event.

The government, together with ICPAU, has developed a specific, strategic roadmap for the implementation of accrual-basis IPSAS. The PSAWG and the government is moving towards accrual adoption and implementation through a reform process in three major areas: the legal and regulatory framework; processes and underlying systems (e.g. IT); and human resource and capacity development. The institute provides IPSAS training for public sector accountants annually.

The institute reports that it primarily intends to contribute to the roadmap implementation strategy by building professional competence and capacity through training. It also notes that its syllabus is being revised to include more public sector content available as of 2023. The institute has made the 2021 IPSAS Handbook available on its website, raises awareness of the standards, and shares exposure drafts and consultation papers issued by the IPSASB to receive member feedback and submit a response. As part of raising awareness amongst the public and business community and encouraging international standards’ implementation, the ICPAU runs an annual Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards ceremony which includes an IPSAS category.

Current Status: Sustain

Section 39 of the Accountants Act 2013 outlines that the ICPAU is responsible for the investigation and discipline (I&D) of professional accountants for any professional misconduct and non-compliance with professional standards. The institute has established a Disciplinary Committee to handle and deliver judgment on cases of professional misconduct and a Disciplinary Appeals Committee to hear and determine appeals from the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee. In 2023, the ICPAU handled 67 complaints.

The institute states that its I&D procedures meet the SMO 6 best practices and it has developed secondary regulations—Accountants (Disciplinary and Ethics) Regulations—to further enhance the I&D procedures, particularly the investigations, disciplinary and appeal process and reinforce compliance with ethical requirements. The Disciplinary Regulations (secondary regulations) are regularly reviewed. Currently, the secretary to the Disciplinary Committee and investigations staff perform investigations. The regulations will provide for a distinct investigations body. ICPAU notes that it educates members and the public on its I&D procedures and publishes an annual report of its I&D proceedings, although a recent court ruling determined that disciplinary cases can only be published under a provision of the law. The draft Disciplinary regulations have addressed this issue.

Current Status: Sustain

ICPAU is responsible for setting applicable private sector accounting standards in Uganda per the Accountants Act 2013. Since 1998, the institute has adopted IFRS without modifications for the preparation of financial statements, and the standards become effective in Uganda on the effective dates prescribed by the IASB. Companies that are not required to use IFRS Standards are permitted to use IFRS or IFRS for SMEs, which the institute has also adopted.

ICPAU has several ongoing initiatives that support the implementation of the standards. The institute shares updates on new and revised standards issued by the IASB and develops implementation guidance. It has shared guidance on revisions to IFRS 9, IFRS 16 and is developing guidance on IFRS 17. It also submits responses and comments from its members’ perspective to the IASB. For example, the institute compiled and submitted comments on the IASB’s IFRS for SME review project in July 2019 and ICPAU has contributed to the discussions and submitted comments on IFRS 16 COVID-19 Related Rent Concessions.

It conducts training on IFRS in its continuing professional development program and ensures its syllabi and examinations test knowledge of all current IFRS.

As part of raising awareness amongst the public and business community and encouraging the implementation of IFRS, the ICPAU runs an annual Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards ceremony. The FiRe Awards are aimed at improving the quality of financial and business reporting in the country by encouraging organizations to adopt global financial reporting standards and best practices and recognizing those companies with the most clear and transparent reports.

Current Status: Sustain