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Student Handbook

2. Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants

2.1 Status

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the "HKICPA / Institute") is the only
statutory licensing body of accountants in Hong Kong responsible for the professional training,
development and regulation of the accountancy profession. The Institute, formerly known as
the Hong Kong Society of Accountants, has a long and distinguished heritage and was
incorporated by the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Chapter 50, Laws of Hong Kong) on
1 January 1973.

The Council is the governing body of the Institute and is an elected and appointed body.

2.2 Duties

 Registering accountants and issuing practising certificates;
 Regulating the professional conduct and standards of members;
 Setting codes of ethics and standards of accounting and auditing;
 Regulating the quality of entry to the profession through its qualification programme
and related courses;
 Providing continuing education and other services to members; and
 Promoting the accountancy profession both in Hong Kong and overseas.

2.3 Organizational Structure and Management

Overview

The Institute's administration is divided into ten areas covering admission, communications,
compliance, education and training, finance and operations, legal, member and corporate
services, quality assurance, specialist practices and standard setting.

Management

The Institute has a staff of about 200. Each division is managed by an Executive Director or
Director who reports to the Chief Executive and Registrar.

The Chief Executive and Registrar is responsible for the management of the Institute and
implements strategy as directed by the Council.

The Council is the governing body of the Hong Kong Institute of CPAs making up of 23
members, with 14 elected, two ex-officio, four appointed and two co-opted members, and the
immediate past president.

Qualification Programme (August 2018) 2