Honduras

The corporate financial reporting framework in Honduras is established under the Commercial Code of 1950, as amended, and the Accounting and Auditing (A&A) Law No. 189 of 2004. The Code requires companies to keep accounting records and sets requirements relating to the preparation of financial statements. In addition, the Code requires corporations (sociedad anónima) to appoint a comisario with broad oversight responsibilities. The comisario combines some characteristics of an internal auditor, external auditor, and an audit committee in one individual.

The A&A Law requires all entities—other than regulated companies described below—to prepare annual financial statements and establishes the Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC) as the national standard-setter. JUNTEC adopted IFRS and IFRS for Small-and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) through the Resolution No. 1 of 2010 and subsequently published the standards in the official gazette, for application by all entities other than banks and financial institutions. In addition, the National Tax Code, Decree No. 170 of 2016, mandates the use of IFRS and IFRS for SMEs for all companies.

Listed companies, banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies are regulated by the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) and are required to prepare their financial statements in accordance with CNBS regulation. The CNBS has issued the following regulations to adopt IFRS modified according to the national standards for the following entities: (i) Circular No. 068 of 2014 for banks and financial institutions, effective as of 2016; (ii) Circular No. 084 of 2014 for insurance companies, effective as of 2017; and (iii) Circular No. 014 of 2016 for stock exchanges and brokerage firms, effective in 2019.

In terms of the audit framework, JUNTEC, through Resolution No. 2 of 2008, has adopted by reference the ISA issued by the IAASB, as translated into Spanish, and subsequently published the standards in the official gazette for all mandatory audits since 2012. In line with JUNTEC Resolution No. 3 of 2017, the latest version of ISA that is in effect in the jurisdiction is the 2016-2017 ISA. JUNTEC has not adopted ISQC 1 standards. In addition, the CNBS Law of 1995 authorizes the CNBS to set auditing standards for regulated entities under its supervision. CNBS, through Circular No. 075 of 2011, requires auditors performing a mandatory audit of entities under its supervision to apply ISA as adopted by JUNTEC.

In Honduras, the profession is regulated at the state level by Decree No. 73 of 1962, by the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS), specifically for auditors of regulated companies, and at the professional level by Decree No. 74 of 1966, as amended by Decree No. 71 of 2004, and the Decree No. 19 of 1993.

Under Decree No. 73 of 1962, professional associations are authorized to regulate their respective fields of activity. The decree mandates mandatory membership within a professional association to practice a profession. Professional accountants are, therefore, required to join a professional accountancy organization (PAO).

There are two segments of the profession in Honduras: public accountants (contador publico) that are authorized to offer accounting and auditing services, and accounting technicians that are (perito mercantiles) authorized to provide bookkeeping and other services, including independent audits of financial statements. The following PAOs have been established by law: the CPMCPH by Decree No. 74 of 1966, as amended by Decree No. 71 of 2004, and the COHPUCP by Decree No. 19 of 1993. The CPMCPH comprises accounting technicians (perito mercantiles) and public accountants (contador publico), while the COHPUCP comprises only public accountants.

The Honduran Constitution sets IPD requirements for all accounting professionals. The Ministry of Education and universities have a role in establishing and implementing IPD requirements for public accountants and accounting technicians. Public accountants are required to have a university accounting degree, while accounting technicians are required to hold a secondary education degree. The only other requirement to be able to practice as an accountant and/or auditor in Honduras is to be registered at a PAO as stipulated by Decree No 73 of 1962. There are no examination or practical experience requirements to offer services.

In accordance with the laws that established the PAOs, both the CPMCPH and the COHPUCP are empowered to: (i) maintain registries of accounting technicians, public accountants, and firms; (ii) set ethical standards; (iii) establish continuing professional development (CPD) requirements; and (iii) develop an investigative and disciplinary (I&D) system. Both PAOs also offer CPD training for members; however, based on their respective founding legislation, the PAOs do not have the legal authority to implement other IPD requirements for their members.

Auditors providing services to entities regulated by the CNBS—i.e., public interest entities (PIEs) which include banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies—are subject to its regulation, in accordance with Circular No. 075 of 2011. The CNBS is empowered to: (i) register auditors providing services to entities under its supervision; (ii) set accounting and auditing standards for entities under its authority; (iii) set IPD requirements for CNBS registered auditors; (iv) investigate and discipline CNBS registered auditors; and (v) require audit firms to establish quality control mechanisms and conduct reviews only when a suspicion or risk is identified.

There are no independent audit oversight arrangements in Honduras. Public accountants (contador publico) and accounting technicians (perito mercantiles) offering audit services are required to join a professional accountancy organization (PAO) and are then regulated by the PAO.

There are two PAOs in Honduras: the Colegio de Peritos Mercantiles y Contadores Públicos de Honduras (CPMCPH), comprising accounting technicians and public accountants, and the Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP), comprising public accountants. The only requirement to apply for membership with either of the two PAOs is to have completed the relevant academic education.

In accordance with the laws that established the PAOs, both the CPMCPH and the COHPUCP are empowered to: (i) maintain registries of accounting technicians, public accountants, and firms; (ii) set ethical standards; (iii) establish continuing professional development (CPD) requirements; and (iii) develop an investigative and disciplinary (I&D) system. Both PAOs also offer CPD training for members; however, based on their respective founding legislation, the PAOs do not have the legal authority to implement other IPD requirements for their members.

Auditors providing services to entities regulated by the CNBS—i.e., public interest entities (PIEs) which include banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies—are subject to its regulation, in accordance with Circular No. 075 of 2011. The CNBS is empowered to: (i) register auditors providing services to entities under its supervision; (ii) set accounting and auditing standards for entities under its authority; (iii) sets IPD requirements for CNBS registered auditors; (iv) investigate and discipline CNBS registered auditors; and (v) require audit firms to establish quality control mechanisms and conduct reviews only when a suspicion or risk is identified

Colegio de Peritos Mercantiles y Contadores Públicos de Honduras (CPMCPH)

The CPMCPH was established by Decree No. 74 of 1966, as amended by Decree No. 71 of 2004. The CPMCPH is the professional body for accounting technicians and public accountants. It is responsible for promoting and advocating for the interests of the profession to the government, regulators, and universities; establishing ethical requirements; setting investigative and disciplinary (I&D) procedures; providing training programs for its members; and supporting the adoption of international standards and the regulation of the profession through its participation in the Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC).

In addition to being a member of IFAC, the CPMCPH is a member of the Inter-American Accounting Association.

Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP)

The COHPUCP was founded in accordance with Decree No. 19 of 1993 and is the professional body for public accountants. The COHPUCP is responsible for representing public accountants to the government, regulators, and universities; setting ethical standards and I&D procedures for its members; and organizing continuing professional development activities for its members. In addition, COHPUCP also participates in the standard-setting process through its representation in JUNTEC.

In addition to being a member of IFAC, the CPMCPH is a member of the Inter-American Accounting Association.

In Honduras, there is no legal requirement for a mandatory quality assurance (QA) review system however, all professional accountants offering auditing services are required to join a professional accountancy organization (PAO).

The Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP) reports that Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC) has developed a project to update its founding law, the Accounting and Auditing Law of 2004, to establish and implement a mandatory QA system for all auditors in the jurisdiction.

While COHPUCP has no legal authority to establish a mandatory QA review system, since 2010 it has been working to operationalize a voluntary QA review system for its members as part of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN) project. As of 2021, the system has not become operational, but COHPUCP has indicated plans to operationalize a QA review system in 2022–2023, and it is expected that the system will meet the SMO 1 requirements.

Lastly, the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) requires audit firms under its supervision to establish quality control mechanisms in accordance with Circular No. 075 of 2011. However, audit reviews are only carried out when a suspicion or risk is identified.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

In Honduras, public accountants and accounting technicians (the two segments of the accountancy profession) are regulated at the state level by Decree No. 73 of 1962, which sets initial professional development (IPD) requirements and requires mandatory membership in a professional organization.

Universities and the Ministry of Education have a role in IPD for professional accountants. Public accountants are required to have a university accounting degree, while accounting technicians are required to hold a secondary education degree. There are no examination or practical experience requirements in order to offer services as outlined by the IES.

The two PAOs in the jurisdiction, the Colegio de Peritos Mercantiles y Contadores Publicos de Honduras (CPMCPH) and the Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP), are not legally empowered to set any additional IPD requirements. COHPUCP reports that it has established 40 hours of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements per year for its members since 2021. Whether the CPMCPH has CPD requirements need further clarification.

In accordance with Circular No. 075 of 2011, the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) has established some further IPD requirements for auditors of regulated companies, such as practical experience; however, as reported by the PAOs in the jurisdiction, these requirements are not in line with those of the revised IES.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

The Accounting and Auditing Law No. 189 of 2004 empowers the Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC) to set auditing standards.

JUNTEC, through Resolution No. 2 of 2008, has adopted by reference the ISA as issued by the IAASB, as translated into Spanish, and subsequently published the standards in the official gazette for all mandatory audits. In line with JUNTEC Resolution No. 3 of 2017, the latest version of ISA that is in effect in the jurisdiction is the 2016-2017 ISA. JUNTEC has not adopted ISQC 1 standards.

In addition, the CNBS Law of 1995 authorizes the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) to set auditing standards for regulated entities under its supervision. CNBS, through Circular No. 075 of 2011, requires auditors performing a mandatory audit of entities under its supervision to apply ISA as adopted by JUNTEC.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

The Colegio de Peritos Mercantiles y Contadores Publicos de Honduras (CPMCPH) and Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP) are legally empowered—by Decree No. 74 of 1966, as amended by Decree No. 71 of 2004, and Decree No. 19 of 1993, respectively—to set ethical requirements for their members, which collectively represent the Honduran accountancy profession. As reported in its SMO Action Plan, CPMCPH issued a Code of Ethics in 2005, which is not aligned with the IESBA Code of Ethics. CPMCPH has not stated plans to review the latest IESBA Code of Ethics and update its ethical requirements.

COHPUCP has developed its own Code of Ethics and utilizes the latest version of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants as a supplement to its own Code.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

The General Accounting Office (CGRH), within the Financial Secretary of Honduras (SEFIN), sets public sector accounting standards in accordance with the Budget Organic Decree No. 83 of 2004.

In 2012, SEFIN collaborated with the Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC)—as part of the legal provision in the Accounting and Auditing Law No. 189 of 2004—to adopt IPSAS. In 2014, JUNTEC formally adopted IPSAS, as published in the Official Gazette through the Resolution No. 60 of 2014. In 2015, SEFIN reaffirmed the adoption of the IPSAS by JUNTEC under Resolution No. 223 of 2015.

The CGRH notes that the 2018 Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements is currently in use. It was adopted on January 1, 2018, with an effective date of January 1, 2019. However, due to the impacts of the COVID pandemic, the JUNTEC extended the effective date to January 1, 2024.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

In Honduras, the two professional accountancy organizations—the Colegio de Peritos Mercantiles y Contadores Publicos de Honduras (CPMCPH) and the Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP)—have legal responsibilities to establish investigative and disciplinary (I&D) procedures for their members, which collectively represent the Honduran accountancy profession.

In accordance with the Decree No. 74 of 1966, as amended by Decree No. 71 of 2004, the CPMCPH established a Court of Honor to carry out the I&D procedues for its members. It reports the mechanism is not fully in line with the SMO 6 requirements.

COHPUCP, empowered by the Decree No 19 of 1993, also has a Court of Honor for its members. In 2021, COHPUCP completed a self-assessment of its I&D system against the requirements of SMO 6 and identified the following gaps: members of the I&D committee do not include non-accountants, information on misconduct is not publicly available, and the system lacks administrative processes and public interest considerations.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

The Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC) is responsible for setting accounting standards in accordance with the Accounting and Auditing Law No. 189 of 2004. JUNTEC adopted IFRS and IFRS for Small-and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) through the Resolution No. 001 of 2010 and subsequently published the standards in the official gazette, for application by all entities other than banks and financial institutions. In addition, the National Tax Code, Decree No. 170 of 2016, mandates the use of IFRS and IFRS for SMEs for all companies.

The National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS) regulates public interest entities in Honduras and determines the preparation of their financial statements. The CNBS has issued the following regulations to adopt IFRS modified according to the national standards for the following entities: (i) Circular No. 068 of 2014 for banks and financial institutions, effective as of 2016; (ii) Circular No. 084 of 2014 for insurance companies, effective as of 2017; and (iii) Circular No. 014 of 2016 for stock exchanges and brokerage firms, effective in 2019.

Current Status: Partially Adopted

Relevant Organizations

• Accounting and Auditing Standards Technical Board (JUNTEC)
• Asociación de Firmas Auditoras de Honduras (AFA)
• Colegio de Peritos Mercantiles y Contadores Públicos de Honduras (CPMCPH)
• Colegio Hondureño de Profesionales Universitarios en Contaduría Pública (COHPUCP)
• National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS)
• Financial Secretary of Honduras (SEFIN)

Relevant Legislation

• CNBS Circular No. 075, 2011
• CPMCPH Decree No. 71, of 2004
• JUNTEC Decree No. 189, 2004
• JUNTEC Resolution No. 2, 2008
• JUNTEC Resolution No. 60, 2014
• SEFIN Resolution No. 223, 2015

Relevant Publications

• COHPUCP, SMO Action Plan, 2021.
• IFRS Foundation, "IFRS Application Around the World, Jurisdictional Profile: Honduras," February 2017.
• Multilateral Investment Fund, Adoption of Financial Reporting and Auditing Standards, 2004.
• World Bank, Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes, Accounting and Auditing: Honduras, 2007.