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An audit is a signed opinion on your company's accounts. In Singapore the person who signs it must hold a specific registration, and the register is public. If your company is small, you may not need an audit, so check that first.
SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, not ACRA and not an audit firm. We pass quote requests to suitable providers, and some of them pay us a referral fee. We do not rank firms.
Who can audit a company in Singapore?
A registered public accountant (PA). ACRA's audit regulation page says the Accountants Act requires PA registration to provide auditing and reporting on financial statements. PAs must follow a code of professional conduct and ethics and complete continuing professional education. A firm can hold out audit services, but the signing person has to be on the register.
How do I check an auditor on Bizfile?
- Open Bizfile search and select the People tab.
- Enter the person's name, then the 5-digit PA registration number in the filter.
- Click Search and open More information.
- Read the status. Active means current, and the profile lists the related public accounting entities.
For the firm itself, use the Entity tab and match the name and UEN to your engagement letter.
Does my company have to be audited?
Not necessarily. Qualifying small companies can claim an exemption from the statutory audit. The rules depend on the company's size and group, and they can change, so read our audit exemption page and confirm with ACRA. An exempt company still keeps proper books and files its annual return, which you can read about in the annual return guide. Financial statements may need to be filed in XBRL format; see our XBRL page.
How do I choose between audit firms?
Compare these points in writing:
| Point | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Signing partner | Name and PA number, and who else works on the file |
| Scope | Statutory audit only, or tax computation and filing too |
| Timetable | Days from your year-end to signed accounts |
| Fee basis | Fixed fee or time-based, and what causes extra charges |
| Independence | Who prepared the books, and are they separate from the audit team |
| Group work | How the firm handles a foreign parent or component auditors |
Firm size matters less than fit. A global network suits a listed group. A small practice may suit a lean company with a clean ledger.
What do audit firms charge?
ACRA publishes no tariff. Firms set fees by scope. One published price line we found: TNPL advertises audit services from S$1,500, read on its services page in . The page gives no scope, so treat it as an opening figure. Others we checked show no price. Never accept a quote that does not say what is included.
Which audit firms have facts we could verify?
We list only firms where we read the firm page and the ACRA entity record. The list is partial and it is not a ranking.
| Firm | What it says | Price shown |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Wan & Co | Audit and assurance for listed and non-listed companies; Morison Global member | None |
| TNPL | External, internal, construction, MCST and charity audits | From S$1,500 |
| HeySara | Statutory and voluntary audits | None |
| Office M | Auditing listed among its services | None |
Want audit quotes from several firms? Use the form on this page and we send your request on.
What happens after the audit is signed?
The audited statements go to the shareholders at the AGM, or by written resolution, and then into the annual return. Companies with an exemption skip the audit but still file. If your accounts must be filed in XBRL, the preparer needs the right software and tags, which some small audit firms do not handle. Ask who does the XBRL conversion and what it costs, so the figure does not appear late.
Keep the working papers request in your letter, and agree how long the firm stores your files after the audit ends.
Sources
- ACRA: audit regulation in Singapore: public accountant requirement.
- ACRA: using Bizfile search functions: People and Entity search.
- TNPL services page: audit price line.
- Each firm's own site, linked on its profile.
