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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

Applying for consent to resign: Auditors of PICs, VCCs, or subsidiaries

Check when auditors of public interest companies (PICs), variable capital companies (VCCs), or subsidiaries need ACRA's consent to resign, and how to apply for approval.

Apply via General lodgement
Last updated 3 February 2026

On this page

When you need ACRA's consent to resign
When ACRA may approve early resignation
Before you apply
How to apply
After you apply

When you need ACRA's consent to resign

You need ACRA's consent to resign before the end of your appointed term if you are an auditor for these entities:

Types of entities that require consent

Entity type

Details

Public interest company (PIC)

PICs are:

  • Companies listed or in the process of listing on the Singapore Exchange or an overseas securities exchange

  • Selected financial institutions (such as banks, insurers, insurance brokers, capital market infrastructure providers, and capital markets intermediaries)

  • Large charities or institutions of public character that are companies

Full list of PICs: Regulation 89A of the Companies Regulations

Provisions for premature resignations: Sections 205AB to 205AF of the Companies Act 1967

Variable capital company (VCC)

VCCs that comprise at least one collective investment scheme authorised under either:

Provisions for premature resignations: Section 108 of the VCC Act 2018

Subsidiary

Any subsidiary of a public interest company or qualifying VCC

Note: You do not need consent for auditor resignation at annual general meetings (AGMs). If you audit regular companies (not PICs or VCCs), you do not need consent either.

When ACRA may approve early resignation

You can only resign as an auditor before your term ends in exceptional circumstances due to the public interest implications involved.

ACRA may approve your resignation if:

  • You are no longer able to carry out audit work to the required standard.

  • You are a sole proprietor auditor, and your failing health prevents you from continuing.

  • You can no longer maintain the independence required to audit the company.

  • The company's parent entity (audited by a different auditor) has required an auditor change.

ACRA may also consider other circumstances beyond those stated above when making a decision. You should put forward all relevant factors for ACRA’s consideration.

More details: Practice Direction No. 4 of 2015 [PDF, 175 KB]

Before you apply

This guide explains how to apply for consent to resign if you are an auditor for PICs, qualifying VCCs or subsidiaries.

Who may apply

You can apply directly if you meet both of these conditions:

  • You are an auditor of a PIC, VCC, or their subsidiary.

  • You are resigning before the end of your appointed term.

You may also engage a corporate service provider (CSP) to file on your behalf.

What you need to prepare

Required documents and information

What to prepare

Details

Supporting documents

Prepare documents that support your reasons for resigning, such as:

  • Medical certificates if you are resigning due to health issues (for sole proprietor auditors)

  • Evidence of loss of independence

  • Documentation of changes in auditor requirements from the parent entity

Note: ACRA may ask for additional information to assess your application.

Information to disclose

You need to include information about:

  • Any disputes with the company or VCC's management

  • Any matters that may undermine the independence or integrity of the audit process, such as:

    • Opinion shopping

    • Inducement to act unethically or in breach of audit standards

Written statement and notification

When you apply for consent, you must notify your company or VCC in writing at the same time.

Provide them with a copy of your written statement explaining your reasons for resignation.

Fees and processing time

Application for consent to resign as an auditor

What you need to know

Details

Fees

$200 (non-refundable)

Payment method

Credit card, debit card, or online banking

Approval time

Two weeks after all information has been provided to ACRA

How to apply

  1. Open the General lodgement eService and log in.

  2. Under "Type of lodgement", select Apply for consent to resign as auditor of public interest companies or their subsidiaries.

  3. Download and complete the manual form.

  4. Submit your application.

After you apply

What you need to do

Outcome

What happens next

ACRA grants consent

You need to give written notice of your resignation to your company or VCC.

Your resignation takes effect on the latest of these three dates:

  1. The date ACRA notifies you and the company or VCC of the consent

  2. The date fixed by ACRA

  3. The date you specify in your notice of resignation

ACRA does not grant consent

You must continue as the auditor of the company or VCC.

What the company must do

After ACRA grants consent, the company must:

  1. Send a copy of your written statement to all shareholders within 14 days.

    • This timeline starts when they receive your notice of resignation and written statement (explaining your reasons for resignation).

  1. Appoint a new auditor:

    • The company's directors must call a general meeting to appoint a new auditor within three months from the date of your resignation.

    • The directors must notify ACRA of the appointment within 14 days.