Corpul Expertilor Contabili si Contabililor Autorizati din Romania (CECCAR)

Although members of the Body of Expert and Licensed Accountants of Romania (CECCAR) do not provide statutory audit services, the institute has implemented a quality assurance (QA) review system that extends to all the services provided by its members, such as assurance engagements. CECCAR indicates that its QA review system is in line with the best practices of SMO 1 and regularly conducts self-assessments against the requirements.

CECCAR issues the CECCAR Quality Control Book and has an ongoing process to ensure compliance and convergence with all the materials issued by IAASB related to quality control and assurance.

To support its members, CECCAR arranges seminars and trainings for its members to keep them up to date on theoretical knowledge, technical competencies, and application on relevant standards. CECCAR collaborates with academic institutes as well as audit and accounting firms in conducting the training sessions. The institute has translated and published the Guide to Quality Control for Small and Medium-Sized Practices, Fourth Edition as well as the Guide to review engagements and the Guide to compilation engagements. CECCAR has also translated the new quality management standards (ISQM 1 and 2) that are pertinent to the services provided by CECCAR members.

Current Status: Sustain

As the entity responsible for setting IPD and CPD requirements for expert and licensed accountants, CECCAR has stated its commitment to converge with the IESs and it has incorporated the main provisions of IES in the CECCAR internal standards and regulations. CECCAR’s Professional Services and Education Committee has reviewed its

Expert accountants must have a university economics degree acknowledged by the Ministry of Education and Research, pass an admission/initial exam for IPD, three years of practical experience, and pass an aptitude/final exam. Licensed accountants are to have a high school diploma recognized by the Ministry of Education, Research, Youth, and Sports, pass an admission/initial exam for IPD, three years of practical experience, and pass an aptitude/final exam. CECCAR indicates it is active in promoting the IES to universities (IES 1). It has engaged with universities for accreditation purposes and has signed cooperation agreements with 29 certified Romanian universities that take with the IES into consideration when developing accountancy curricula.

Information on accredited universities, the admission exam, and practical experience requirements are all available on CECCAR’s website. CECCAR also organizes the final/aptitude exam and offers preparatory sessions for candidates. All details are also available on CECCAR’s website.

CECCAR oversees the National CPD Program of its members and has updated it to ensure continued alignment with IES 7. It offers training through its 42 chapters throughout Romania.

Recently, to become more involved in supporting international efforts related to professional education and development, CECCAR nominated a representative in the newly formed International Panel on Accountancy Education in 2019 and will support its nominee for a second term as a member of IPAE. CECCAR has also signed agreements with other professional accountancy organizations (notably the Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) to collaborate on activities related to training and capacity building for its members.

Current Status: Sustain

The Law No. 162 of 2017 on Statutory Audit of Annual Financial Statements and Annual Consolidated Financial Statements which translates the EU Audit Directive, stipulates that all statutory audits are to be carried out in compliance with ISA as issued by the IAASB as translated by the Statutory Audit Public Oversight Authority (ASPAAS). The ASPAAS has delegated its translation authority to the Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania (CFAR).

Although CECCAR has no legal responsibility to adopt or translate auditing standards, it is committed to supporting implementation and is very proactive in the translation process. ASPAAS and CECCAR worked together and translated the IAASB Handbook 2018. Furthermore, CECCAR has translated several implementation support materials, such as the ISA 315 revised, ISRS 4400 revised and the Illustrative Examples to ISA 540 (Example 1&2 and the Auditing expected credit loss (ECL) accounting estimates). It has also translated the IFAC ISA Guide for SMEs and several guidance on audit during COVID-19.

In terms of training and capacity building, CECCAR supports its members’ understanding of the standards by offering training on the new and revised standards and regular dissemination of practical case studies.

CECCAR also indicates that it cooperates with universities, audit firms, and other PAOs on training programs related to ISA implementation.

CECCAR maintains a timely translation and implementation support process to fulfill obligations under SMO 3.

Current Status: Sustain

Under the Law No. 162 of 2017 on Statutory Audit of Annual Financial Statements and Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, both professional accountancy organizations in the jurisdiction, the Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania (CFAR) and the CECCAR, are responsible for adopting ethical requirements for auditors and expert and licensed accountants, respectively.

CECCAR reports that it has an ongoing process to adopt, translate, and support the implementation of the IESBA Code of Ethics since 2011. In 2019, CECCAR translated and made publicly available the 2018 edition of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the IESBA. CECCAR also translated and published the revisions to Part 4B of the Code and revisions to the Code to promote the Role and the Mindset which are effective by December 2021. Since then, it is updating its Code of Ethics for Expert and Licensed Accountants to align with the 2023 version of the International Code issued by IESBA and translated into Romanian by CAFR.

To support its members with the adherence to ethical requirements, CECCAR organizes workshops for its members, incorporates ethics modules into its CPD program, and advises its members and the public on the revisions of the IESBA Code of Ethics. CECCAR’s members are subject to investigation and discipline for any ethical breaches or misconduct.

CECCAR maintains a timely translation and implementation support process to fulfill obligations under SMO 4.

Current Status: Sustain

The Ministry of Public Finances (MFP) is responsible for the adoption of public sector accounting standards in Romania. MFP Order No. 1917/2005, with its subsequent amendments and supplements, requires the application of accrual-basis accounting principles. Notably, the regulation includes the adoption of certain accrual-basis IPSAS provisions of certain items such as tangible fixed assets, stocks, provisions, expenses, and revenues. According to the CIPFA/IFAC 2020 International Public Sector Financial Accountability Index, partial accrual national standards are applied currently and full accrual-basis standards are expected to be applied by 2025.

CECCAR has focused its efforts on advocating for the convergence with accrual-based IPSAS to the relevant stakeholders, such as the Romanian Presidency, the MFP, and the Ministry of European Integration. Since 2009, it has regularly translated IPSASB Handbooks, including the 2020 version, to raise awareness of the IPSAS and participates in consultations regarding any legislative changes to promote IPSAS. It has also offered training and conferences with sessions dedicated to the public sector.

CECCAR is using its best endeavors to fulfill its obligations under SMO 5, and it is encouraged to continue its advocacy and support toward accrual-basis IPSAS. Adoption and implementation of accrual IPSAS as issued by the IPSASB would ensure application of global best practice. CECCAR may find IFAC’s Train the Trainers: Introduction to IPSAS resource helpful for any advocacy and/or educational activities it offers.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Law No. 65 of 1994 authorizes CECCAR to establish and operate an investigative and disciplinary (I&D) mechanism for its members who are expert and licensed accountants.

The internal policies of CECCAR regulate the organization of 42 Disciplinary Commissions at the county level and the Superior Disciplinary Commission at a national level. The disciplinary commissions attached to the CECCAR (territorial) branches’ councils can investigate the misconduct of the members residing within the territorial area of the branch and to apply sanctions. The Superior Disciplinary Commission attached to the Superior Council of the Body can judge the appeals against the decisions of the territorial disciplinary commissions, as well as to investigate any disciplinary misconduct of the members of the territorial disciplinary commissions, and to apply sanctions.

CECCAR completed a self-assessment of its I&D system and concluded that it meets the SMO 6 benchmark. Previously, it had identified areas that could be strengthened such as an appeals body, liaison with outside entities, and making I&D proceedings and results available to the public. CECCAR has addressed these areas where it legally can. For example: it has a third appeals body, the Superior Council of the Institute, which is separate both from the disciplinary committee and investigative committee and a process for the independent review of complaints is in place at each branch level. CECCAR has also established a process for liaison with bodies on possible involvement in serious crimes and offence which are the law enforcement authorities such as the national FIU (the institute for prevention and combat money laundering), the National Anticorruption Directorate, and the agency for financial crime investigations within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. CECCAR notes that the provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation do not permit publication of personal data. Nonetheless, upon a justified request the information about the results of an investigation can be made available.

CECCAR conducts annual trainings for the members of its 42 disciplinary commissions across its 42 branches nationwide and trains its staff in its Ethics department and quality control units. CECCAR has also developed and disseminated case studies from the jurisprudence of the CECCAR disciplinary commissions to its members. In addition, CECCAR offers an Arbitrage Commission to help members resolve any conflicts with clients.

Public confidence in enforcement mechanisms for all professional accountants is essential. CECCAR has addressed limitations in making proceedings publicly available but there remain components of SMO 6 global best practices that are not incorporated since 2018. CECCAR is encouraged to explain its plans (along with timeframes) for addressing these within its Action Plan.

Current Status: Review & Improve

Law 82/1991, also known as the Accounting Law, establishes the Ministry of Public Finances (MFP) as the accounting standard-setter in Romania and is responsible for transposing EU regulations that require the application of IFRS as endorsed by the European Commission into national law. Listed companies must apply EU-endorsed IFRS. The MFP has also permitted companies that do not trade in the regulated market to choose between EU-endorsed IFRS for consolidated financial statements or Romanian Accounting Standards.

CECCAR is actively supporting the implementation of IFRS in Romania particularly by fulfilling its responsibility to translate the IFRS into Romanian, which was used as a basis for the publication of standards in the European Union Official Journal. It has established an ongoing process to ensure the availability of translations of new and amended IFRS standards as issued by the IASB.

In addition, CECCAR includes IFRS Standards in its National CPD Program and organizes roundtables on IFRS adoption and implementation with relevant stakeholders.

In terms of participating in the international standard-setting process, CECCAR indicates that it also reviews exposure drafts as issued by the IASB and submits comment letters.

Current Status: Sustain