Quality Control (QC) review process
Understand how entity reviewers assess accounting entities' (AEs) quality control systems and the four possible review outcomes.
Last updated 29 January 2026
What is a QC review
A QC review assesses AEs’ compliance with the prescribed quality control standards, such as Singapore Standards on Quality Management 1 and 2 (SSQM 1 and SSQM 2).
How the QC review works
The QC review involves three main steps:
Process: QC review
Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Entity reviewers, appointed by the PAOC (Firm Level), assess the AE's quality controls against SSQM 1 and SSQM 2. Note: The PAOC (Firm Level) refers to the Public Accountants Oversight Committee without any of its members who are public accountants. |
| The Registrar considers the findings and reports to the PAOC (Firm Level) with its recommendations. |
| The PAOC (Firm Level) may order the AE to take remedial actions and/or make other orders to protect public interest if it concludes that the AE’s compliance with QC standards is either:
More details: QC review orders |
QC review outcomes
There are four possible outcomes for a QC review.
Outcomes and definitions: QC review
Outcome | What it means |
Satisfactory | If the relevant professional standards or pronouncements have been complied with in all significant respects with no instance(s) of non-compliance |
Satisfactory but with findings | If the relevant professional standards or pronouncements have been complied with in all significant respects, with limited and/or minor instance(s) of non-compliance |
Partially satisfactory | If an extensive number of minor instances or more than minor instance(s) of non-compliance with relevant professional standards or pronouncements have been identified. However, the instances of non-compliance are not significant or severe. |
Not satisfactory | If an extensive number and/or significant/severe and/or repeated non-compliances with relevant professional standards/pronouncements have been identified |
The significance and severity of non-compliance with relevant professional standards or pronouncements is assessed for each inspection finding, taking into account the nature, severity and pervasiveness of the finding.