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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

Using Bizfile to register as a public accountant (PA)

Learn how to register as a public accountant in Singapore through ACRA Bizfile. Includes requirements, fees, required documents, and what to expect.

Register as a PA via General lodgement
Last updated 29 January 2026

On this page

Before you register
How to register
After registration
Submitting an appeal

Before you register

This guide explains how to register as a PA using Bizfile. You need to register as a PA to act as an auditor of financial statements in Singapore. It is an offence to practise without registration.

You must meet all of the PA registration requirements before you register.

Who may register

As an individual, you can file directly.

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

What you need to prepare

Required documents and information

To show

You must prepare

Professional examinations

  • Certificate of passing final examination (if the examination passed is not listed in the legislation)

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

  • CPE log book to record all CPE hours from the 12 months before you apply.

  • Evidence of participation: Certified true copies for all structured courses which can be in the form of:

    • Certificates

    • Attendance lists

    • Lecturers' letters of certification

Practical experience

  • Declaration Form for the Applicant (yourself)

  • Declaration Form for the Audit Principal (AP)

  • Record of your qualifying audit experience (QAE)

Professional standing

  • Certificate of Good Standing from the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

Work experience and character

  • Testimonials from past and current employers (for both audit and non-audit experience)

  • Letter of support from firm (if you are joining an existing accounting entity)

Foreign experience, if any

Additional documents listed in the Addendum to Application to be Registered as a Public Accountant.

Fees and processing time

PA registration

What you need to know

Details

Fee

$1,000 (non-refundable)

Payment method

  • Credit card (MasterCard and VISA) 

  • PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay

Processing time

Within 15 working days after ACRA receives the required documents and information

How to register

  1. Open the General lodgement eService and log in.

  2. Under the "General lodgement type", select Register as a public accountant.

  3. Download and complete the form.

  4. Submit the form via the General lodgement eService.

If you are relying on foreign QAE

Email all required documents to acra_pod@acra.gov.sg within five working days of your filing.

After registration

Most applications are processed within 15 working days after ACRA receives the required documents and information.

Registration outcome email

If your registration is

What to expect

Approved

Your Certificate of Registration (PDF) will be included in the email. It is valid from the issue date until 31 December of the same year.

Note: You must renew your certificate annually between 1 to 31 December.

Rejected

The reasons for rejection will be provided.

The application fee is non-refundable.

Submitting an appeal

You can appeal to the Minister of Finance within 30 days, but only if your application was rejected on one of these grounds:

  • Not of good reputation or character

  • Engaged in business inconsistent with public accountant integrity

  • Otherwise unfit to practise as a public accountant

  • PA registration was withdrawn, suspended, cancelled or revoked in another country

More details: Section 11(5) of the Accountants Act