Past version: Effective up to 22 Aug 2018
712
(1) An issuer must appoint a suitable auditing firm to meet its audit obligations, having regard to the adequacy of the resources and experience of the auditing firm and the audit partner-in-charge assigned to the audit, the firm's other audit engagements, the size and complexity of the listed group being audited, and the number and experience of supervisory and professional staff assigned to the particular audit. A mineral, oil and gas company must appoint an auditing firm where the auditing firm and audit partner-in-charge have the relevant industry experience.
(2) The auditing firm appointed by the issuer must be:
(a) Approved under the Accountants Act. The audit partner-in-charge assigned to the audit must be a public accountant under the Accountants Act;
(b) Approved by, registered with and/or regulated by an independent audit oversight body acceptable to the Exchange. Such oversight bodies should be members of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators, independent of the accounting profession and directly responsible for the system of recurring inspection of accounting firms or are able to exercise oversight of inspections undertaken by professional bodies. Where applicable, the audit partner-in-charge assigned to the audit should be approved by, registered with or regulated by a relevant audit oversight body acceptable to the Exchange; or
(c) Any other auditing firm acceptable by the Exchange.
(2A) An issuer that appoints an auditing firm that meets the requirements in Rule 712(2)(b) must also appoint an additional auditing firm that meets the requirements in Rule 712(2)(a) to jointly audit its financial statements.
(3) A change in auditing firm or the proposed appointment of an additional auditing firm to meet requirements in Rule 712(2A) must be specifically approved by shareholders in a general meeting. The notice of meeting must incorporate, where applicable:
(a) confirmation from the outgoing auditors as to whether they are aware of any professional reasons why the new auditors should not accept appointment as auditors of the issuer, and if so, to provide reasons;
(b) confirmation from the issuer as to whether there were disagreements with the outgoing auditors on accounting treatments within the last 12 months, and if so, to provide details;
(c) confirmation from the issuer as to whether it is aware of any circumstances connected with the change of auditors that should be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the issuer;
(d) specific reasons for the change of auditors, including whether the outgoing auditors resigned, declined to stand for election, were dismissed or directed by the Exchange to be replaced under Rule 305(1)(eb);
(e) confirmation from the issuer that it complies with Rule 712 and Rule 715 or 716 in relation to the appointment of the new auditing firm; and
(f) explanation that the appointment of an additional auditing firm is to meet the Exchange’s requirements in Rule 712(2A).
Amended on 29 September 201129 September 2011, 23 August 201823 August 2018, 7 February 20207 February 2020 and 12 February 2021.
713
(1) An issuer must disclose in its annual report the date of appointment and the name of the audit partner in charge of auditing the issuer and its group of companies. The audit partner must not be in charge of more than 5 consecutive audits for a full financial year, the first audit being for the financial year beginning on or after 1 January 1997, regardless of the date of listing. The audit partner may return after two years.
(2) If the listing of an issuer occurs after 5 consecutive audits by the same audit partner in charge, the same audit partner may complete the audit of the financial year in which the issuer lists.
715
(1) Subject to Rule 716, an issuer must engage the same auditing firm based in Singapore to audit its accounts, and its Singapore-incorporated subsidiaries and significant associated companies.
(2) An issuer must engage a suitable auditing firm for its significant foreign-incorporated subsidiaries and associated companies.
Amended on 29 September 201129 September 2011.
716
An issuer may appoint different auditing firms for its subsidiaries or significant associated companies (referred to in Rule 715(1)) provided that:
(1) the issuer's board and audit committee are satisfied that the appointment would not compromise the standard and effectiveness of the audit of the issuer; or
(2) the issuer's subsidiary or associated company, is listed on a stock exchange.
Amended on 29 September 201129 September 2011.
717
An issuer must disclose in the annual report the names of the auditing firm(s) for its significant subsidiaries and associated companies.
Amended on 29 September 201129 September 2011.