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Malawi

Public Accountants and Auditors Act

Chapter 53:06

Legislation as at 31 December 2014

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act
Contents
Part I – Preliminary ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 1

1. Short title .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Interpretation ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Part II – Establishment of the Malawi Accountants Board .................................................................................................................. 2

3. Establishment of the Malawi Accountants Board ........................................................................................................................ 2

4. Appointment and membership of the Board ................................................................................................................................. 2

5. Disqualification from appointment to the Board ......................................................................................................................... 2

6. Vacation of office by members ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

7. Tenure of office ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

8. Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board .................................................................................................................................... 3

9. Meetings of the Board ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4

10. Quorum and majority decisions ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

11. Committees of the Board ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

12. Reports to the Minister ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Part III – Funds of the Board .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

13. Funds of the Board and keeping and audit of accounts ......................................................................................................... 5

14. Non-liability of the Board .................................................................................................................................................................. 5

15. Remuneration and allowances of members ................................................................................................................................ 5

Part IV – Functions, powers and objectives of the Board .................................................................................................................... 6

16. General powers of the Board ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

17. Objectives of the Board ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7

18. Maintenance of standards of examinations ................................................................................................................................. 7

19. Registered training contracts ............................................................................................................................................................ 8

20. Powers and duties of auditors .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

21. Information to be furnished by registered accountants ....................................................................................................... 11

Part V – Register and registration .............................................................................................................................................................. 12

22. Register of Chartered Accountants and Diplomate Accountants ....................................................................................... 12

23. Register to be open to inspection ................................................................................................................................................ 12

24. Compulsory registration .................................................................................................................................................................... 12

25. Qualification for registration .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

26. General prohibition ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13

27. Application for registration .............................................................................................................................................................. 13

28. Registration ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

29. Cancellation or suspension of registration ................................................................................................................................ 15

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 30. Restoration of registration ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

Part VI – Secretariat of the Board .............................................................................................................................................................. 16

31. Secretary and other staff of the Board ....................................................................................................................................... 16

32. Disclosure of interest by employees, etc. .................................................................................................................................. 16

33. Oath of secrecy .................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

34. Prohibition of publication or disclosure of information by unauthorized persons ...................................................... 16

35. Protection of employees ................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Part VII – Discipline ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

36. Disciplinary proceedings ................................................................................................................................................................... 17

37. Review of disciplinary proceedings .............................................................................................................................................. 17

38. Appeal to the Board against disciplinary action ..................................................................................................................... 17

39. Suspension of registered accountants who are mentally disabled .................................................................................. 18

Part VIII – The Institute ................................................................................................................................................................................. 18

40. Objectives of the Institute ............................................................................................................................................................... 18

41. Functions of the Institute ................................................................................................................................................................ 19

42. Powers of the Institute ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Part IX – Practising certificate ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21

43. Prohibition against practice without practising certificate .................................................................................................. 21

44. Application for practising certificate ........................................................................................................................................... 21

45. Issue or refusal of practising certificate ..................................................................................................................................... 21

46. Unregistered person prohibited from practicing ..................................................................................................................... 21

47. Period of validity of practising certificate .................................................................................................................................. 22

48. Withdrawal of practising certificate ............................................................................................................................................. 22

49. Surrender of withdrawn or invalid practising certificate ..................................................................................................... 22

Part X – Miscellaneous ................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

50. Use of certain designations ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

51. Offences by unregistered persons ................................................................................................................................................ 22

52. Offences and penalties ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23

53. Exemptions ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 24

54. Appeals from decisions of the Board .......................................................................................................................................... 24

55. Evidence .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24

56. By-laws .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

57. Regulations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 25

58. Compliance with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act ...................................................................... 25

59. Repeal and savings ............................................................................................................................................................................ 25

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Part XI – Transitional provisions ................................................................................................................................................................. 26

60. Saving of existing appointments and membership ................................................................................................................ 26

61. Transfer of membership to professional accountancy bodies ............................................................................................. 26

62. Saving of existing programmes, students and qualifications ............................................................................................. 26

63. Transfer of employees ....................................................................................................................................................................... 27

64. Transfer of assets, liabilities, etc. .................................................................................................................................................. 27

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

Malawi

Public Accountants and Auditors Act

Chapter 53:06
Commenced on 1 April 2014

[This is the version of this document at 31 December 2014.]

[Note: This version of the Act was revised and consolidated in the Fifth Revised Edition of the Laws of Malawi (L.R.O.
1/2018), by the Solicitor General and Secretary for Justice under the authority of the Revision of the Laws Act.]

An Act to provide for the establishment of the Malawi Accountants Board; for the registration of
chartered accountants and diplomate accountants; and to make provision for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto

Part I – Preliminary

1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Public Accountants and Auditors Act.

2. Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“audit” means an independent examination of financial statements by an auditor to enable him express
an opinion on whether financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with an
identified financial reporting framework;

“Board” means the Malawi Accountants Board established under section 3;

“chartered accountant” means a person who is registered as a Chartered Accountant;

“College” means the Malawi College of Accountancy established by the Education Act;

[Cap. 30:01]

“diplomate accountant” means a person who is registered as a Diplomate Accountant;

“financial year” means the period of twelve months ending on 30th June of each year;

“Institute” means the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi incorporated under the Companies
Act;

[Cap. 46:03]

“Member” means a member of the Board;

“practising certificate” means a certificate issued by the Institute permitting the holder to carry on
practice as a chartered accountant in public practice;

“public practice” means the practice of a person who performs the functions of an accountant or auditor,
and for that purpose, holds himself out as an accountant or auditor and places his services at the disposal
of the public for reward, but does not include services which are substantially at the command of and for
the exclusive use of any one person or of the Government;

“registered trainee” means a person who is engaged under a registered training contract;

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

“registered training contract” means a written contract accepted for registration pursuant to the
provisions of section 19(1) whereby a person engages to serve another for a specified period in order to
receive training in the profession of a chartered accountant or diplomate accountant.

Part II – Establishment of the Malawi Accountants Board

3. Establishment of the Malawi Accountants Board

(1) There is hereby established a Board to be known as the Malawi Accountants Board.

(2) The Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession, and a common seal, and with
capacity, in its corporate name, to—

(a) possess and own property, real or personal;

(b) sue and be sued;

(c) enter into contracts; and

(d) do all such other things which a body corporate may lawfully do.

4. Appointment and membership of the Board

(1) Members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister and shall consist of the following—

(a) two persons nominated by the Institute from amongst its members, one of whom shall be a
non-practicing member and the other from an academic institution;

(b) one person nominated by the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry;
and

(c) the following ex officio members—

(i) the Secretary to Treasury;

(ii) the Secretary responsible for Education;

(iii) the Accountant General;

(iv) the Auditor General;

(v) the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi;

(vi) the Commissioner General of the Malawi Revenue Authority;

(vii) the Secretary for Justice; and

(viii) the Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi Stock Exchange.

(2) An ex officio member of the Board may appoint a senior officer from his institution as an alternate
permanent representative at meetings of the Board.

(3) The name, qualifications and date of appointment of every person appointed as a member of the
Board shall be published in the Gazette.

5. Disqualification from appointment to the Board

A person shall be disqualified from being appointed as a member of the Board if that person—

(a) is declared bankrupt under any law in force in Malawi;

(b) is under any law in force in Malawi adjudged or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind;

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(c) has at any time been convicted of an offence involving corruption, theft, fraud, forgery, perjury or
dishonesty;

(d) has, within the past five years, been convicted of an offence under any written law punishable by a
minimum term of six months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine;

(e) would, for any other reason, be disqualified by law from serving as a director of a company or a
trustee of a trust within Malawi; and

(f) would have a conflict of interest if appointed to the Board.

6. Vacation of office by members

A member of the Board other than an ex officio member shall vacate his office—

(a) upon the presentation of a petition for his bankruptcy, or upon execution of an unsatisfied
judgment against his estate;

(b) if he is convicted of an offence under any written law and sentenced to a minimum term of six
months’ imprisonment, otherwise than as an alternative to, or in default of, the payment of a fine;

(c) if he is convicted of any offence involving corruption, theft, fraud, forgery, perjury or dishonesty;

(d) if, in the opinion of the Minister, or the authority by which he was nominated, as the case may
be, he becomes, by reason of mental or physical infirmity, incapable of performing his duties as a
member of the Board;

(e) if the Minister or the authority by which he was nominated, is satisfied that the personal interests
of the member conflict or are likely to conflict with his duties as a member, and that consequently,
it is inappropriate for him to continue to hold office as a member;

(f) upon the expiry of one month’s notice in writing to the Minister or the authority by which he was
nominated, of his intention to resign his office;

(g) upon receipt of notice of termination of his appointment, from the Minister or the authority by
which he was appointed;

(h) if he is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board, of which he has had notice, without
leave of the Board, which leave shall not be unreasonably withheld;

(i) if he ceases to hold the qualifications for which he was appointed member pursuant to section 4;
and

(j) upon his death.

7. Tenure of office
(1) A member of the Board other than an ex officio member shall hold office for a term of three years
and shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term.

(2) Whenever the office of a member falls vacant before expiration of the period for which the member
was appointed, the Minister or other authority which appointed the member shall, subject to the
provisions of section 4, appoint any other person to fill the vacancy.

8. Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board

(1) Members of the Board shall, at their first meeting following ' their appointment, and thereafter
as need arises, elect out of their number other than members ex officio, a Chairman and a Vice-
Chairman, and the persons so elected shall hold office as such until the end of their term of office as
members.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(2) If for any reason the Chairman is not able to act as chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall act in his
stead.

9. Meetings of the Board

(1) The Board shall meet at least four times a year, and the time and venue of every meeting shall be
determined by the Board from time to time.

(2) The Chairman of the Board may at any time call a special meeting of the Board at such time and
place as he may determine and shall, upon a written request signed by not less than three members,
call a special meeting thereof to be held within two weeks after the date of receipt of such request,
at such time and place as he may determine.

(3) Meetings of the Board shall be conducted in such manner as the Board thinks fit.

(4) The Board shall cause minutes of all proceedings of, and decisions taken at, all meetings of the
Board and of its committees, to be entered into books kept for that purpose.

10. Quorum and majority decisions

(1) A simple majority of all members of the Board present shall form a quorum for any meeting of the
Board.

(2) The Chairman or, in his absence, the Vice-Chairman, shall preside at meetings of the Board, but in
the absence of both the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, the members present shall elect one of
their number to preside at the meeting.

(3) The decision of a simple majority of the members of the Board present at any meeting shall
constitute a decision of the Board.

(4) At any meeting of the Board, a member may require the person presiding at the meeting to direct
that his dissent from any resolution passed by the Board, and the reasons for such dissent, be
recorded in the minutes of the proceedings at which such resolution was passed.

(5) No decision or act done under the authority of the Board shall be invalid by reason only of an
interim vacancy on the Board, or of the fact that a person who is disqualified from being a member,
or with respect to whose appointment the provisions of this Act had not been complied with, sat or
acted as a member at the time when the decision was taken or the act was performed or authorized,
if the decision was taken or the act was performed or authorized by a majority of the members
present at the time who were entitled to sit and act as members.

11. Committees of the Board

(1) The Board may establish committees to assist it in the performance of its functions and duties,
and may appoint such persons, including persons other than members, as it may deem fit, to be
members of any such committees.

(2) The Board may assign to a committee such of its powers as it may deem fit, but shall not be deemed
to be divested of any power which it may have assigned to a committee, and may alter any decision
of any such committee.

(3) Any reference in this Act to the Board in relation to the exercise of any power which it has assigned
to a committee shall be construed as including a reference to that committee.

12. Reports to the Minister

(1) The Chairman of the Board may submit to the Minister reports regarding matters connected with
the activities of the Board which, in the Chairman’s opinion, should be brought to the attention of
the Minister from time to time.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(2) The Board shall, at the request of the Minister, the Attorney General or the Registrar General,
furnish to the Minister or such other public officer, advice on questions in connexion with the
accountancy and auditing profession or cognate matters, and shall communicate to the Minister
information acquired by it, in the course of its duties, on matters regarded by it as being of public
importance.

Part III – Funds of the Board

13. Funds of the Board and keeping and audit of accounts

(1) Funds of the Board shall consist of—

(a) such moneys as may be collected by the Board by way of levies from institutions and
individuals registered with the Board;

(b) such moneys as may be collected by the Board by way of fees;

(c) such moneys or assets as may accrue to or vest in the Board, whether in the course of the
exercise of its functions or powers, or otherwise;

(d) such moneys or other assets as may accrue to or vest in the Board by way of grants, subsidies,
bequests, donations, gifts, subscriptions, rents, interests or royalties, from the Government
or any other person;

(e) such moneys as may be derived from the sale of any property, real or personal, by or on
behalf of the Board;

(f) such moneys as may be received by the Board by way of voluntary contributions; and

(g) such moneys or other assets as may be donated to the Board by any foreign government,
international agency or other external body of persons, corporate or unincorporate.

(2) The Board shall cause to be kept proper books of account and other records in relation to all moneys
and other property vested, received or otherwise obtained, and of all moneys expended or other
property sold or otherwise disposed of, by the Board.

(3) The accounts of the Board shall be audited annually by a chartered accountant in public practice
appointed by the Board.

(4) The expenses of, and incidental to, any audit shall be payable out of the funds of the Board.

(5) The Board shall, as soon as is practicable, but not later than six months after the end of each
financial year, submit to the Minister an annual report of its work and operations.

14. Non-liability of the Board

No legal proceedings, whether criminal or civil, shall lie against the Board in respect of any act or duty
performed in good faith in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

15. Remuneration and allowances of members

(1) A member of the Board or of any Committee, as the case may be, shall be paid such remuneration
and allowances, if any, as the Board may in its discretion determine.

(2) Any remuneration or allowances which may become payable under subsection (1) shall be paid out
of the funds of the Board.

(3) The Board shall, in any case where a member does not make a direct claim to the Board, refund to
the appropriate Ministry or institution, as the case may be, any transport or subsistence allowances
paid by such Ministry or institution to such member whilst engaged in the business of the Board.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

Part IV – Functions, powers and objectives of the Board

16. General powers of the Board

(1) The Board shall have power to—

(a) consider and determine applications for registration under Part V of this Act;

(b) maintain the Register of chartered accountants and diplomate accountants;

(c) encourage cooperation between the Institute and other professional bodies in matters of
common interest;

(d) take such steps as appear to the Board to be necessary or desirable to advance the standing
and effectiveness of the accountancy profession in Malawi;

(e) advise the College and the Institute on matters pertaining to examinations and training of
accountants;

(f) promote the standardisation of qualifying examinations on common subjects;

(g) take such steps as appear to the Board to be necessary to provide for the manpower
requirements of the accountancy profession in Malawi;

(h) advise the Minister on accountancy and cognate matters;

(i) employ such professional, technical and administrative officers, clerks and other servants as
it may deem necessary and to lay down conditions of service for such employees;

(j) pay its employees such salary, wages or other remuneration as it may deem fit and to grant
them such leave as it may deem fit;

(k) purchase, take on lease, hire or otherwise acquire any real or personal property which it
considers necessary for the purpose of performing its functions, or for the purpose of use as
dwelling-houses for its employees;

(l) lease dwelling-houses and land for residential purposes for its employees;

(m) construct, maintain, alter or improve any buildings, works, machinery and plant necessary or
expedient for the performance of its functions;

(n) prescribe such professional indemnity insurance as it may think fit;

(o) hear and determine appeals from any person aggrieved by a finding of the Institute in
relation to admission to membership or to improper conduct, and make such order as to the
costs incurred by it in the hearing of such appeals as it may consider equitable;

(p) invest and deal with any of its moneys, not immediately required, in such securities and in
such manner as it may think fit and to vary or realize such investments;

(q) review statutory financial statements and financial reports of public interest entities;

(r) monitor the accuracy and fairness of financial reporting and enforce compliance with
accounting standards;

(s) establish and maintain an independent investigation and disciplinary scheme for public
interest purposes;

(t) oversee the regulatory and professional development activities of professional accountancy
bodies;

(u) conduct quality assurance reviews of public auditors and audit firms;

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(v) establish procedures for coordination of disciplinary responsibilities and referrals with the
Institute;

(w) accredit professional accountancy bodies and trainers that meet the required standards;

(x) oversee the activities of professional accountancy bodies, including their training and
professional qualification examinations;

(y) formulate any syllabus, training requirement or examination structure applicable to its
registrants or prospective registrants, and to inform the Institute of any such changes; and

(z) do all things incidental or conducive to the furtherance of its powers under this Act.

(2) No action, suit or other proceedings shall be brought or instituted personally against any member
in respect of any act done in good faith in the course of carrying out his duties under this Act.

(3) The Board may delegate some of its powers to the Institute.

17. Objectives of the Board

The Board shall regulate the reporting of financial matters and provide direct oversight over professional
accountancy bodies and auditors in order to—

(a) promote high quality reporting of financial and non-financial information by entities;

(b) promote the highest professional standards among auditors and accountants;

(c) enhance the credibility of financial reporting;

(d) improve the quality of accounting and auditing services;

(e) improve the integrity, competence and transparency of professional activities in accounting and
auditing;

(f) protect the interests of the general public and investors;

(g) adopt and ensure compliance with and the enforcement of applicable local and international
accounting and auditing standards; and

(h) encourage effective collaboration with other regulators.

18. Maintenance of standards of examinations

(1) The Board may, after consultation with all the academic institutions charged with the responsibility
of training persons desirous of becoming chattered accountants or diplomate accountants,
recommend tile adoption of any syllabus training requirement or examination structure which, in
the opinion of the Board, is necessary or desirable to maintain or enhance professional standards.

(2) If an institution referred to in subsection (1) proposes to change any syllabus, training requirement
or examination, it shall advise the Board, in writing, of the proposal at least three months before
making any such change.

(3) If the Board is of the opinion that any proposal made to it under subsection (2) is detrimental to the
interests of the profession, it shall advise the institution concerned in sufficient time to enable the
institution cancel or modify the proposed change in the light of the Board’s advice.

(4) If any institution—

(a) fails or refuses to adopt any syllabus, training requirement or examination structure
recommended by the Board under subsection (l); or

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(b) changes any syllabus, training requirement or examination structure in a manner which the
Board had advised is detrimental to the interests of the profession,

the Board may refuse an application for registration as a chartered accountant or a diplomate
accountant of any person who qualifies from such institution.

19. Registered training contracts

(1) No service under a training contract entered into after the commencement of this Act shall be
recognized for the purposes of this Act unless such contract has, through the Institute, been
registered with the Board.

(2) No contract shall be registered under subsection (1) unless the person with whom service is
to be performed thereunder has obtained the consent of the Institute, in accordance with the
requirements of the Board, to engage registered trainees under registered training contracts.

(3) The Institute shall not give its consent referred to in subsection (2) unless—

(a) it can be demonstrated that the trainee shall, during the period of the training contract,
receive the personal supervision of a chartered accountant under conditions that will ensure
that the trainee shall obtain a sufficiently wide and general practical training and experience;
and

(b) upon submission of—

(i) a certificate that a degree or diploma, other than an honorary degree or diploma,
approved by the Institute has been conferred upon such person; or

(ii) a certificate that such person has obtained not less than six passes in the Malawi
School Certificate of Examination, including credit passes in Mathematics, English,
and one other subject, or in an examination approved by the Institute as being of
equal standing.

(4) The Institute shall determine the maximum number of trainees who may be engaged for service
under training contracts by any person or in the public service during any particular period.

(5) The period of service under training contracts shall be two hundred and fifty full days and five
hundred full days, exclusive of days on leave or absence for whatsoever reasons, for eligibility for
registration as diplomate accountants and as chartered accountants respectively, such period of
service to be substantially uninterrupted and, save as is otherwise provided in this section, to be
with one employer for not less than two hundred and fifty consecutive full working days:

Provided that the Institute may in the case of a person who, in the opinion of the Institute,
has obtained satisfactory practical training and experience by way of service under conditions
substantially the same as under a registered training contract either within Malawi or elsewhere
reduce the period of service under a training contract to such extent as it may deem fit or grant
exemption from service under the training contract.

(6) Whenever the service of a registered trainee is terminated before he has served the prescribed
period under a registered training contract, the Institute may in its discretion and on such
conditions as it may deem fit, approve of the transfer of such registered trainee to some other
person or Government Ministry or Department, as the case may be, to complete the remaining
portion of his period of service under a registered training contract.

(7) No person shall accept any payment or other reward in consideration of the engagement by him of
any person under a registered training contract.

(8) No person who is registered as a non-resident accountant and auditor under this Act shall be
entitled to have the services of any registered trainee under a training contract in Malawi.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

20. Powers and duties of auditors

(1) No person acting in the capacity of auditor to any undertaking shall, without such requirements
as maybe appropriate in the circumstances, in pursuance of any audit, earned out by ta m that
capacity, certify or report or express an opinion to the effect that any financial statements,
including any annexure thereto, which relates to such undertaking, presents fairly, or gives a true
and fair new of, or reflects correctly the affairs of such undertaking and the results of its operations,
or the matters dealt with in such financial statement or annexure, as the circumstances may
require, unless—

(a) he has carried out such audit free of any restrictions whatsoever;

(b) proper accounting records in English have been kept in Malawi in connexion with the
undertaking in question, so as to reflect and explain all its transactions and record all its
assets and liabilities correctly and adequately;

(c) he has obtained all information, vouchers and other documents which in his opinion were
necessary for the proper performance of his duties;

(d) he has, in the case of an undertaking regulated by any written law, complied with all the
requirements of that law relating to the audit of that undertaking;

(e) he has, by means of such methods as are reasonably appropriate having regard to the nature
of the undertaking in question, satisfied himself of the existence of material assets and
liabilities shown on such financial statements or annexure;

(f) he is satisfied, as far as is reasonably practicable having regard to the nature of the
undertaking in question and of the audit carried out by him, as to the fairness or the truth or
the correctness, as the case may be, of such financial statements or annexure; or

(g) any matter referred to in subsection (3) had, at the date on which he so certified or reported
or expressed such opinion, been adjusted to his satisfaction.

(2) No accountant or auditor shall, when acting otherwise than in pursuance of an audit, certify
or report or express an opinion, without such qualification as may be appropriate in the
circumstances, to the effect that any account, financial statement (including any annexure thereto)
or other document relating to the business or financial affairs of any undertaking, presents fairly,
or gives a true and fair view of, or reflects correctly, the matters dealt with therein, unless he has,
mutatis mutandis, complied with the provisions of paragraphs (a), (c) and f of subsection (1).

(3) If any accountant or auditor or his partner, or any person employed by him or his partner, or any
person working under his supervision and control or under the supervision and control of his
partner, was responsible for keeping books, records or accounts of any undertaking, except to the
extent of making closing entries or assisting with any adjusting entries or framing any balance
sheet, accounts, statement or other document from existing records, such accountant or auditor
shall, in certifying or reporting on anything in connexion with the business or financial affairs of
such undertaking, indicate that he or his partner or a person working under his supervision and
control or under the supervision and control of his partner, as the case may be, was responsible for
keeping such books, records or accounts.

(4) Any certificate required to be given or report to be made or opinion to be expressed by an

accountant or auditor in his capacity as an accountant or auditor in pursuance of any assignment
carried out by him, shall be given or made or expressed within a period of four months after the
date on which the assignment was completed, and in any case not more than fifteen months
from the previous Annual General Meeting, and if such accountant or auditor is unable to give an
unqualified certificate or make an unqualified report or express an unqualified opinion, he shall,
within the said period give that certificate or make that report or express that opinion subject to

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

such qualifications as he may deem necessary, and may, if he considers it advisable, endorse on that
certificate, report or opinion the reason for any such qualification:

Provided that—

(a) if any person acting in the capacity of auditor to any undertaking is satisfied or has reason
to believe that in the conduct of the affairs of such undertaking a material irregularity
has takenplace, which irregularity has caused or is likely to cause financial loss to the
undertaking or to any of its members or creditors, he shall forthwith dispatch, a report
in writing to the persons in charge of that undertaking, giving the particulars of the
irregularity, at the same time drawing the attention of the person in charge of such
undertaking to the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this proviso and requesting him to
acknowledge receipt of such report in writing;

(b) unless within thirty days after an auditor has dispatched such a report, he has been satisfied
by information received that no such irregularity has taken place or is taking place or that
adequate steps have been taken for the recovery of any such loss caused as aforesaid or
for the prevention of any such loss likely to be caused as aforesaid, he shall, through the
Institute, furnish the Board with copies of the report and of any acknowledgement of receipt
thereof and reply thereto and such other particulars as he may deem fit;

(c) the Board may disclose to the Attorney General or any public officer or any member or
creditor of the undertaking concerned, any information supplied to it pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this proviso;

(d) for the purpose of determining whether any irregularity contemplated by this subsection has
taken place or is taking place, an auditor may carry out such investigations as he may deem
fit; and

(e) nothing in this subsection shall be construed as conferring upon any person any right of
action against an auditor, which, but for the provisions of this subsection, he would not have
had.

(5) If any person who was acting in the capacity of an auditor regarding any undertaking immediately
prior to its bankruptcy or liquidation (whether provisional or final), is satisfied or has reason to
believe that at or before the date of the bankruptcy or liquidation, as the case may be, a material
irregularity in the conduct of the affairs of such undertaking was taking place or had taken place,
which irregularity had caused or was likely to cause financial loss to the undertaking or to any of
its members or creditors, and such person did not comply with the provisions of paragraph (a) of
the proviso to subsection (4) in respect of such irregularity before the said date, he shall forthwith
dispatch a report in writing giving particulars of such irregularity, to the person appointed as
trustee or provisional trustee or as liquidator or provisional liquidator, as the case may be, of such
undertaking and at the same time supply copies of such report to the person in charge of such
undertaking and to the Board.

(6) The Board may disclose to the Attorney General or any public officer or any member or creditor of
the undertaking concerned, any information supplied to it pursuant to the provisions of paragraph
(b) of the proviso to subsection (4).

(7) If a person who has been registered as an accountant and auditor under the provisions of this Act—

(a) fails to perform any duties devolving upon him in the capacity of an auditor to any
undertaking with such a degree of care and skill as, in the opinion of the Board, may
reasonably be expected; or

(b) is on the basis of prima facie evidence presented to the Board, negligent in the performance
of such duties,

the Board may, whether or not such auditor is liable to be or has been criminally charged or has
been convicted in respect of such failure or negligence, cause the Institute to enquire into the

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

circumstances, and if such failure or negligence is proved to its satisfaction, impose upon that
person any of the penalties prescribed under Part VII of this Act:

Provided that no person shall be penalised by reason of any opinion expressed by him in good faith
as to the value or amount of any asset or liability appearing on the balance sheet in respect of the
undertaking in connexion with which the audit was carried out, or by reason of his having declined
to express any opinion thereon, if the Board is satisfied that, having regard to the nature of such
asset or liability or any other circumstances, he could not reasonably have been expected to express
an authoritative opinion.

(8) No action shall be instituted against any auditor or any person registered as an accountant and
auditor under this Act in respect of any opinion expressed or certificate given or report or statement
made or statement, account or document certified by him in the ordinary cause of his duties,
unless it is proved that such opinion was expressed or such certificate was given or such report or
statement was made or such statement, account or document was certified maliciously, negligently
or with fraudulent intent.

(9) In carrying out his duties under this section, an auditor shall adhere to the provisions of the Code of
Conduct promulgated by the Institute.

21. Information to be furnished by registered accountants

Every person who is registered as a practicing chartered accountant under this Act shall, subject to the
provisions of subsection (3)—

(a) notify the Board and every person whom he or his firm acts as auditor of any change in the name,
constitution or address of such firm within fourteen days after the date on which such change takes
place; and

(b) furnish the following information within fourteen days after receiving a request therefor from any
person for whom he or his firm acts as auditor or who proposes to appoint him or his firm as auditor
—

(i) every firm name or title under which he practices;

(ii) the place or places of business of all partnerships in which he is in public practice as a
partner;

(iii) the full names of all his partners; and

(iv) his nationality, his forenames or the initial thereof, his surname and every surname which he
may have home previously and his ordinary business address and his residential address.

[Please note: numbering as in original.]

(2) When two or more persons are practising in partnership, the particulars referred to in
subsection (1) may be furnished in a communication by or in the name of the firm and any such
communication shall be regarded as sufficient compliance by the individual partners of that firm
with the provisions of that subsection.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1) the expression “every surname which he may have borne
previously” does not include—

(a) in the case of a person adopted as a child, his surname before his adoption;

(b) in the case of any person, any surname previously borne by him which was changed or
disused before he attained the age of eighteen years or has been changed or disused for a
period of not less than twenty years; or

(c) in the case of a married or divorced woman or a widow, the surname borne by her before her
marriage.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

Part V – Register and registration

22. Register of Chartered Accountants and Diplomate Accountants

(1) The Board shall establish a register, to be known as the Register of Chartered Accountants and
Diplomate Accountants, which shall be divided into three parts, one for the registration of
chartered accountants in public practice, one for the registration of other chartered accountants
and the other for diplomate accountants.

(2) The secretary of the Board shall be responsible, subject to any directions given to him by the Board,
for maintaining the Register and ensuring that entries are made in the appropriate part of the
Register recording—

(a) the name and such other particulars as may be prescribed of each person whom the Board
has directed shall be registered;

(b) the fact that a registration certificate has been issued to a registered person, or that any such
certificate has ceased to be valid;

(c) particulars of the cancellation or suspension of any person’s registration and of the
restoration of any such cancelled registration or the termination of any such suspension;

(d) any necessary corrections or alterations to any particulars or facts referred to in paragraph
(a), (b) or (c); and

(e) any other particulars that may be prescribed or that the Board may determine.

23. Register to be open to inspection

Any person may inspect the Register and make copies of any entry therein at all reasonable times on
payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Board.

24. Compulsory registration

Any person resident and working in Malawi who is a member in good standing of the Institute or an
association of accountants which is recognized by the Institute shall register as a member of the Institute
within ninety days from either the date of commencement of this Act or taking up residence in Malawi.

25. Qualification for registration

(1) A person shall be qualified for registration as a chartered accountant or diplomate accountant if he
is a member in good standing of the Institute.

(2) A person shall not be qualified for registration if—

(a) he has been adjudged or otherwise declared insolvent or bankrupt under a law in force in any
country and has not been rehabilitated or discharged;

(b) he has made an assignment to or arrangement or composition with his creditors under a
law in force in any country, and the assignment, arrangement or composition has not been
rescinded or set aside; or

(c) within the period of five years immediately preceding his application for registration—

(i) he has been convicted inside or outside Malawi of a criminal offence which, in the
opinion of the Board, is of a disgraceful or dishonourable nature;

(ii) he has behaved in a manner which, in the opinion of the Board after consultation with
the Institute, is of a disgraceful or dishonourable nature; or

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(iii) he has been certified either inside or outside Malawi to be mentally disordered or
defective or of unsound mind in terms of the Mental Treatment Act or an equivalent
law in a foreign country and the certification remains in force.

[Cap. 34:02]

(3) Before reaching a decision as to whether or not a person is disqualified for registration under
subsection (2), the Board shall—

(a) inform him in writing of the grounds on which it might reach such a decision and afford him
a reasonable opportunity to make representations in the matter, in writing or in person, as
the Board may think fit; and

(b) pay due regard to any representations made by him under paragraph (a).

26. General prohibition

(1) No person shall, unless he is registered by the Board as a chartered accountant or diplomate
accountant—

(a) offer services as, or hold himself out to be a public accountant, chartered accountant or
diplomate accountant; or

(b) do anything likely to lead persons to infer that he is a public accountant, chartered
accountant or diplomate accountant.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine ofK100,000 and
imprisonment for two years.

27. Application for registration

(1) Any person who wishes to be registered as a chartered accountant or a diplomate accountant shall
submit to the Institute an application therefor in the form and manner prescribed, together with
the prescribed registration fee.

(2) On receipt of an application under subsection (1), the secretary of the Institute shall certify in
writing whether or not the applicant is—

(a) a member in good standing with the Institute; and

(b) qualified for registration as a chartered accountant or a diplomate accountant, as the case
may be,

and shall forward the application together with the registration fee, to the Board.

28. Registration
(1) The Board shall consider every application for registration forwarded to it under section 27 and—

(a) if the Board is satisfied that the applicant is qualified for registration, the Board shall direct
the secretary of the Board to register the applicant in the appropriate part of the Register;
and

(b) if the Board is not satisfied, the Board shall refuse the application and direct the secretary of
the Board to notify the Institute which shall notify the applicant in writing of its decision.

(2) Any person who desires to be registered as a non-resident chartered accountant or diplomate
accountant shall, under his hand, apply to the Board through the Institute for such registration
accompanied by the prescribed fee and such information as the Board may require, and if, after
consideration of any such application the Board is satisfied that the applicant—

(a) is of full age and is not ordinarily resident in Malawi;

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(b) is a member of a body of accountants and auditors recognized by the Board for the purposes
of this subsection,

the Board shall register the applicant as a non-resident chartered accountant or diplomate
accountant and issue to him a certificate of registration in such form as it may prescribe.

(3) The Board shall not register any person under this section—

(a) if he has at any time been removed from an office of trust on account of misconduct;

(b) if he has at any time been convicted of theft, fraud, forgery or uttering a forged document or
perjury, and sentenced in respect thereof to imprisonment or to a fine;

(c) if he is of unsound mind; or

(d) if he is disqualified from registration consequent upon any punishment imposed under this
Act,

and may refuse so to register any person who is an undischarged bankrupt or who has entered into
an arrangement with his creditors or who has been guilty of misconduct by reason whereof he is in
the opinion of the Board not a fit person to be so registered.

(4) The Board shall cancel the registration of any person—

(a) who subsequent to his registration becomes subject to any of the disqualifications stated in
paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (3);

(b) whose estate is adjudged bankrupt;

(c) who enters into an arrangement with his creditors;

(d) whose registration was made in error or on information subsequently proved to be false; or

(e) who has, prior to his registration, been guilty of misconduct by reason whereof he is in the
opinion of the Board not a fit person to be so registered.

(5) The Board shall cancel the registration of any person who is a non-resident chartered accountant or
diplomate accountant if—

(a) subsequent to his registration, he becomes resident in Malawi;

(b) he becomes subject to any of the disqualifications specified under subsection (4) other than
that set out in paragraph (a) of subsection (6);

(c) he does not, within six months after the date of his registration, produce proof to the
satisfaction of the Board that he has been admitted into partnership with a chartered
accountant resident and engaged in public practice in Malawi;

(d) he ceases to be a partner of a chartered accountant resident and engaged in public practice
in Malawi and does not within six months thereafter produce proof to the satisfaction of
the Board that he has been admitted into any other partnership with another chartered
accountant resident and engaged in public practice in Malawi; or

(e) he is in partnership with a chartered accountant who has ceased to be engaged in public
practice in Malawi or with a person whose registration has been cancelled or has lapsed
under or by virtue of any of the provisions of this Act unless he produces proof to the
satisfaction of the Board within six months thereafter that such partnership has been
dissolved and that he has been admitted into partnership with another chartered accountant
resident and engaged in public practice in Malawi.

(6) The registration of any person who is a registered chartered accountant or a diplomate accountant
shall lapse if such person—

(a) ceases permanently to reside in Malawi; or

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(b) fails within three months after such fee or portion thereof becomes due and payable or
within such further period as the Board may in any particular case prescribe to pay any
annual fee or portion thereof prescribed under this Act which is payable by him.

(7) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3), the Board shall on application to it in writing register in
the appropriate category any person who was previously registered under this Act, if he possesses
the prescribed residential qualifications and has paid the prescribed registration fee and any arrear
annual fee.

(8) The Board shall, at the written request of any person registered under this Act, remove his name
from the register, save that the removal shall not affect any liability incurred by such person prior to
the date of such request.

(9) A person who is registered under the provisions of this Part may describe himself as a chartered
accountant or as a diplomate accountant, as the case may be, and if registered as a chartered
accountant in public practice shall be entitled to describe himself as such and to engage in public
practice in Malawi.

(10) Whenever the secretary of the Board registers a person under this section, he shall issue that person
with a certificate in the form prescribed indicating the part of the Register in which that person has
been registered.

29. Cancellation or suspension of registration

(1) Subject to subsection (4), the Board shall direct the secretary of the Board to cancel the registration
of any registered person—

(a) who has ceased to be a member of the Institute;

(b) who has been adjudged or otherwise declared insolvent or bankrupt under a law in force in
any country;

(c) who has made an adjustment to or arrangement or composition with his creditors under a
law in force in any country;

(d) who has been convicted inside or outside Malawi of a criminal offence which in the opinion
of the Board is of a disgraceful or dishonourable nature;

(e) who is certified either inside or outside Malawi to be mentally disordered or defective or of
unsound mind under the Mental Treatment Act, or an equivalent law in a foreign country; or

[Cap. 34:02]

(f) whose membership of his professional body has been cancelled or suspended.

(2) Subject to subsection (4), the Board shall direct the secretary of the Board to cancel the registration
of a person as a public auditor if he has ceased to be a member of the Institute.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if the Board is notified in writing by the Institute that it has suspended
the membership of a registered person, the Board shall suspend that person’s registration for the
same period as his membership has been suspended.

(4) Before reaching a decision as to whether or not a registered person’s registration should be
cancelled or suspended under subsection (l)or (2), the Board shall—

(a) inform him in writing of the grounds on which it might reach such a decision and afford him
a reasonable opportunity to make representations in the matter, in writing or in person, as
the Board thinks fit; and

(b) pay due regard to any, representations made by him under paragraph (a).

(5) Whenever the secretary cancels or suspends a person’s registration under this section, he shall
notify that person, in writing, of the cancellation or suspension.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

30. Restoration of registration

(1) The Board shall direct the secretary of the Board to restore to the Register the name of a person
whose registration was cancelled on the ground referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of
section 29, if the Institute notifies the Board, in writing, that he has become a member of the
Institute or has had his membership restored.

(2) The Board shall direct the secretary of the Board to restore to the Register as a chartered
accountant or diplomate accountant the name of a person whose registration was cancelled on the
ground referred to in subsection (2) of section 29 if the Institute notifies the Board, in writing, that
he has become a member of the Institute or has had his membership restored.

(3) A person whose registration has been cancelled under section 29 may apply for his registration
to be restored and sections 25 to 27 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, as if he were applying for
registration.

Part VI – Secretariat of the Board

31. Secretary and other staff of the Board

The Board shall appoint a secretary and such other members of staff as shall enable the Board to carry out
its functions in terms of this Act.

32. Disclosure of interest by employees, etc.

(1) An employee of the Board or a consultant to the Board who, or whose immediate family member is
directly or indirectly interested in a private or professional or official capacity in any matter being
considered by the Board, shall disclose such interest.

(2) A disclosure of interest made under this section shall be made to the Secretary or, as the case
may be, by the Secretary to the Board who or which shall take such decision as he or it considers
appropriate in each case and submit a report thereon to the Board.

33. Oath of secrecy

Every—

(a) member of the Board;

(b) member of a committee of the Board;

(c) employee of the Board; and

(d) consultant in the service of the Board,

shall, upon assumption of his office, take such oath of secrecy as may be approved by the Board.

34. Prohibition of publication or disclosure of information by unauthorized persons

(1) No person shall, without the consent in writing given by or on of behalf of the Board, publish
or disclose to any person, other than in the of course of his duties, contents of any document,
communication or information which relates to and which has come to his knowledge in the course
of his duties under this Act.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine ofK100,000 and
to imprisonment for two years.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

35. Protection of employees

No action suit or other proceedings shall be brought or instituted personally against any employee of the
Board in respect of any act done in good faith in the course of carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Part VII – Discipline

36. Disciplinary proceedings

The Institute shall be responsible, in the first instance, for the professional conduct of its members
and, for that purpose, the Institute shall have power to undertake disciplinary proceedings against such
members and to discipline them.

37. Review of disciplinary proceedings

(1) Where the Institute has found that a member contravened any disciplinary rules as provided for
in the By-laws and has been disciplined under section 36, the Institute shall report that fact to the
Board in writing within fourteen days and shall provide the Board with information regarding the
case.

(2) If, after the thirty-day period specified in section 38, the member concerned has not lodged an
appeal under that section, the Board shall forthwith review the decision of the Institute in any case
reported to it under subsection (1):

Provided that, if the Board agrees to hear an appeal after the thirty-day period, it shall not be
necessary to review the case under this subsection.

(3) In a review under subsection (2), the Board may confirm, alter or set aside the decision of the
Institute or refer the matter back to the Institute for further consideration:

Provided that the Board shall not alter or set aside the decision unless it is satisfied that—

(a) the Institute failed to follow any procedure which it was required to follow in disciplinary
proceedings;

(b) the Institute failed to observe the rules of natural justice; or

(c) the decision of the Institute was unreasonable in all the circumstances of the case,

and that a substantial miscarriage of justice occurred.

38. Appeal to the Board against disciplinary action

(1) A registered person whose membership of the Institute has the Board been suspended or cancelled
following disciplinary proceedings against him may appeal in writing to the Board, setting out
clearly the grounds of his appeal, within thirty days after being informed of his suspension or
cancellation, or within such further period as the Board may allow.

(2) An appeal under subsection (1) shall be lodged in the form and manner prescribed,

(3) The Board shall forward a copy of any appeal lodged with it under subsection (1) to the Institute
and the Institute shall, within thirty days or such longer period as the Board may permit, provide
the Board with such number of copies of the record of the disciplinary proceedings as may be
prescribed.

(4) After affording the appellant and the Institute a reasonable opportunity to make representations
in the matter, the Board shall consider any appeal under this section and may confirm, alter or set
aside the decision of the Institute or refer the matter back to the Institute for further consideration.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(5) If the Board receives oral evidence in an appeal under this section, it shall ensure that a record is
kept of such evidence.

(6) If following an appeal under this section the Board confirms the suspension or cancellation of the
appellant’s registration, the Board may make an order requiring the appellant to pay the expenses
of and incidental to the appeal, or any part of those expenses.

(7) The Board may recover from the appellant concerned any amount he has been ordered to pay under
subsection (6) by proceedings against him in a court of competentjurisdiction.

(8) The Board shall hear and determine appeals from any person aggrieved by a finding of the Institute
in relation to improper conduct and make such order as to the costs incurred by it in the hearing
such appeals as it may consider equitable.

39. Suspension of registered accountants who are mentally disabled

(1) Whenever it appears to the Board from information on oath that any person registered under this
Act has become mentally disabled to are such an extent that it would be contrary to the public
welfare to allow him to continue to practice or to act as a chartered accountant or as a diplomate
accountant, as the case may be, the Board may, if it deems fit, hold an enquiry in respect of such
person.

(2) If the Board after due enquiry finds as a fact that such person has become mentally disabled, it may
order the suspension of such person for a specified period from practising as a public accountant or
from acting as a chartered accountant as the case may be.

(3) The Board may order the extension of the period of operation of any order made under this section
or may order its revocation.

Part VIII – The Institute

40. Objectives of the Institute

The Institute shall—

(a) promote the development of the accounting profession;

(b) supervise the accountancy profession in the public interest;

(c) promote the highest standards of professional ethics and business conduct of, and enhance the
quality of services offered by, chartered accountants or diplomate accountants;

(d) protect the public interest by ensuring that members of the Institute observe the highest standards
of professional and ethical conduct;

(e) ensure the professional independence of accountants;

(f) determine the eligibility criteria to become a member of the Institute;

(g) arrange for the assessment of candidates seeking certification as members;

(h) promote, maintain and increase the knowledge, skills and competence of members of the Institute
and students;

(i) ensure that members of the Institute obtain the necessary technical and ethical guidance that
enables them to meet the needs of the community in areas in which they have special knowledge
and expertise;

(j) maintain and monitor high quality practical training at all levels of the profession;

(k) seek public recognition of a broad range of skilled services that chartered accountants or diplomate
accountants and accounting technicians can provide;

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(l) promote and protect the objectives and sustainability of the Institute and of the accounting
profession;

(m) maintain the legitimate professional rights of members of the Institute;

(n) advance the theory and practice of accountancy in all aspects;

(o) develop and maintain effective working relationships with Government and other national, regional
and international accountancy bodies;

(p) promote high quality accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices;

(q) develop professional qualifications for accountants and auditors in Malawi;

(r) keep abreast of international developments affecting the accounting profession; and

(s) protect the interests of its members.

41. Functions of the Institute

The Institute shall, subject to this Act and to the general or special directions of the Board, undertake
diligently the following functions or any of such functions—

(a) the continuous review and dissemination to its members and others of information concerning
international and internal developments in technical matters affecting the profession of accounting
and auditing;

(b) the setting of accounting and auditing standards appropriate to conditions prevailing in Malawi,
and to the continued international acceptance of audited financial statements originating in
Malawi;

(c) advising the Board and the College on any matters referred to it;

(d) the carrying out of research into matters affecting the profession;

(e) the provision of continuing professional education for its members, and monitoring compliance;

(f) the definition and enforcement of ethical practice and discipline among its members;

(g) the issuing, renewal and withdrawal of practising certificates to its members carrying on public
practice;

(h) the registration of student members;

(i) the prescription of regulations for the protection of client funds held by its members, and for the
due performance of professional obligations;

(j) the disciplining of its members and registered students and trainees;

(k) the appointment of its representatives required under the provisions of this Act;

(l) determining the syllabus to be followed by institutions charged with the training of those desirous
of qualifying for registration under this Act, taking fully into account the need for the integration
of the syllabus for qualification as a diplomate accountant with the syllabus for qualification as a
chartered accountant;

(m) setting the examinations for those desirous of qualifying for registration under this Act;

(n) coordinating the marking and adjudication of the examinations set in pursuance of the provisions
of paragraph (m);

(o) reviewing the academic syllabus of examinations followed by academic or professional institutions
other than those referred to in paragraph (1) with a view to the establishment of exemptions from
the examinations prescribed in paragraph (m);

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(p) ensuring, through liaison with other professional bodies of accountants of high standing, that the
examination and marking standards applied by the Institute are acceptable as of equal academic
standing to those applied by the other bodies;

(q) liaising with and advising the Minister, the Board and the College on matters relating to the
training of accountants and the requisite qualifications for the registration of accountants;

(r) promoting issues of good corporate governance in Malawi;

(s) performing such other functions relating to the training of accountants and the requisite
qualifications for the registration of accountants;

(t) evaluating and monitoring the standards of qualifying courses and training set or offered by the
College or any other institution in consultation with the Institute;

(u) performing such other functions relating to the training of accountants and auditors as the Board
may, from time to time, direct;

(v) laying down the requirements for different classes of its membership;

(w) considering any application for registration made under this Act for different classes of its
membership;

(x) registering persons as members of the Institute who qualify to be chartered accountants or
diplomate accountants, chartered accountants in public practice, student members, or such other
class of membership as the Institute may establish;

(y) overseeing, monitoring and supervising the qualifications and selection of mentors of practical
training programs;

(z) inquiring into any written complaint made against any chartered accountant, or diplomate
accountant, either on its own initiative or at the request of any person, for violations or breaches of
its codes, rules and standards, in accordance with the rules of the Institute;

(aa) implementing a sound system of quality assurance review mechanism to ensure high quality audit
practice;

(bb) recognizing any accountancy qualifications that are, in the opinion of the Board, equivalent to
those of the Institute;

(cc) representing members’ interests in local, regional and international forums;

(dd) improving the quality of professional services offered by its members; and

(ee) performing such other duties or functions as it deems necessary to promote the highest
professional standards among its members.

42. Powers of the Institute

(1) The Institute shall have powers to do all things necessary or appropriate in connexion with the
performance of its functions.

(2) Without derogating from the generality of subsection (1), and subject to the provisions of this Act,
the powers of the Institute shall include the power to—

(a) cooperate with, or become a member or an affiliate of, any international body, the objects or
functions of which are similar to or connected with those of the Institute;

(b) impose and collect such penalties, fees and fines as may be required under this Act and the
rules of the Institute;

(c) levy such charges or fees as may be reasonable for services and facilities provided by the
Institute;

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(d) issue rules and guidelines related to the examinations and qualifications of the Institute;

(e) issue rules and guidelines related to membership in the Institute, including the acceptance,
rejection, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or renewal of membership; and

(f) conduct any inquiry or investigation, or collect information, documents or evidence, for the
purpose of carrying out its functions, including disciplinary actions against its members.

(3) The Institute shall have the power to accept delegations of the Board’s functions.

Part IX – Practising certificate

43. Prohibition against practice without practising certificate

(1) No person shall practice or hold himself out as a chartered accountant in public practice whether
directly or indirectly, by himself or in partnership or association with any other person, except in
accordance with the terms and conditions of a valid practising certificate issued by the Institute and
registered by the Board.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to anything done by a registered person which he could lawfully do as
an unregistered person under section 52.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine ofK100,000 and
imprisonment for two years.

(4) A conviction for an offence under subsection (3) shall not be a bar to a further prosecution or
conviction if the offence continues.

44. Application for practising certificate

A person who wishes to obtain a practising certificate shall apply to the Institute in the form and manner
prescribed, and shall submit with his application such fee, certificates, documents and information as may
be prescribed.

45. Issue or refusal of practising certificate

(1) On receipt of an application for a practising certificate under section 44, the Institute shall issue
a practicing certificate to the applicant authorizing him to practice as a chartered accountant in
public practice if the Institute is satisfied that the applicant—

(a) is a chartered accountant; and

(b) is a member in good standing with the Institute.

(2) If the Institute is not satisfied as provided for in subsection (1), it shall refuse to issue the practising
certificate concerned and shall—

(a) advise the applicant accordingly; and

(b) subject the applicant to practice reviews at such a time and in such a manner as the Institute
may prescribe.

46. Unregistered person prohibited from practicing

(1) No person shall, unless he is registered by the Board as a chartered accountant in public practice—

(a) practice or offer services as, or hold himself out to be a chartered accountant in public
practice; or

(b) do anything likely to lead persons to infer that he is a chartered accountant in public
practice.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine ofK100,000 and
to imprisonment for two years.

47. Period of validity of practising certificate

(1) Subject to this section, a practising certificate shall remain valid for as long as its holder remains
registered.

(2) A practising certificate which authorizes its holder to practise as a chartered accountant shall
cease to be valid if its holder is deregistered by the Institute in which case the certificate shall
immediately be returned to the Institute.

48. Withdrawal of practising certificate

(1) If, after due enquiry, the Institute is satisfied that a chartered accountant in public practice has
not complied with any term or condition of a practising certificate held by him, the Institute
may withdraw the practising certificate and, if it does so, the Institute shall advise the chartered
accountant accordingly.

(2) Where a practising certificate is withdrawn, the Board shall publish a notice in the Gazette notifying
the public of such withdrawal.

49. Surrender of withdrawn or invalid practising certificate

Where a person has been advised in writing by the secretary of the Institute that a practising certificate
issued to him has been withdrawn or has ceased to be valid, he shall forthwith and in any event within
thirty days after being so advised return the practising certificate to the Institute.

Part X – Miscellaneous

50. Use of certain designations

(1) A chartered accountant shall be entitled to use the designation “Chartered Accountant (Malawi)” or
the initials “C.A.(M)”.

(2) A diplomate accountant shall be entitled to use the designation “Diplomate Accountant (Malawi)”
or the initials “Dip. A.(M)”.

51. Offences by unregistered persons

(1) Subject to section 53 and any other enactment, no person other than a chartered accountant shall—

(a) hold himself out to be a chartered accountant; or

(b) use the designation or initials referred to in subsections (1) and (2) of section 50 or any other
name, title, description or letters indicating that he is a chartered accountant or diplomate
accountant, whether by advertisement or description or in any document.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine ofK200,000 and
imprisonment for three years.

(3) A conviction for an offence under subsection (2) shall not be a bar to a further prosecution or
conviction if the offence continues.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

52. Offences and penalties

(1) No person who is registered as a chartered accountant in public practice under this Act shall—

(a) except with the consent of the Institute, knowingly employ in connexion with his practice—

(i) any person while such person is suspended from public practice under any provision
of this Act;

(ii) any person not registered as a chartered accountant in public practice under this Act
who was previously so registered; or

(iii) any person not registered under this Act whom the Board has refused to register;

(b) make over to or share with any person (other than a person registered as a chartered
accountant in public practice under this Act or practising as an accountant and auditor
outside Malawi) any portion of professional fees earned by him in respect of work performed
by him as a chartered accountant in public practice;

(c) share profits derived from his practice as a chartered accountant in public practice in
Malawi, or practice in Malawi in partnership, with any person not registered as a chartered
accountant in public practice under the provisions of this Act;

(d) practice under a firm name or title unless on every letterhead bearing such firm name or title
there appears—

(i) his present forenames or the initials thereof and his present surname;

(ii) The present forenames or the initials thereof and the present surnames of his
partners, if any; and

(iii) if any such partner is not resident in Malawi, a statement of that fact;

(e) sign any account, statement, report or other document which purports to represent work
performed by him, unless such work was performed by himself or under his personal
supervision or direction or by or under the personal supervision or direction of one or more
of his partners:

Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in respect of work performed
on behalf of a person registered as a chartered accountant in public practice under this
Act by another chartered accountant in public practice so registered or in respect of work
performed outside Malawi by a member of a recognized body of professional accountants
outside Malawi whose status, in the opinion of the Board, is at least equal to that demanded
by the Board for the profession in Malawi:

Provided further that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to prevent any person
registered as a chartered accountant in public practice under this Act from signing the firm
name or title under which he practices;

(f) perform professional work in connexion with any matter which is the subject of an
application for finance, dispute or litigation on condition that payment for such work shall
be made only if such application, dispute or litigation ends favourably for the party for whom
such work is performed;

(g) engage in public practice during any period in respect of which he has been suspended from
practice; or

(h) engage in public practice without carrying such professional indemnity insurance as may
have been prescribed by the Institute.

(2) A person who contravenes any provision of this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine of
K100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

53. Exemptions
(1) Section 52 shall not prevent a person who, without receiving any fee or reward, prepares or
reports on the accounts of a club, society, institute or other association not established for the
acquisition of gain, from describing himself as an honorary auditor in relation to the preparation of
or reporting on such accounts.

(2) Any person in the bonafide employment of—

(a) a registered chartered accountant in public practice; or

(b) a partnership referred to in subsection (4),

shall not be regarded as practising as a chartered accountant in public practice or as holding

himself out to be a registered chartered accountant in public practice for the purposes of
section 52 in respect of anything done in the course of such employment while under the
direction and control of a registered chartered accountant in private practice.

(3) Section 52 shall not apply to any person in the full-time employment of the Government in respect
of anything done by him in the course of such employment.

(4) Notwithstanding section 52, a partnership whose partners—

(a) are registered chartered accountants in public practice;

(b) hold practising certificates; and

(c) directly manage the provision of accounting or auditing services by the partnership,

may practice as though it were a chartered accountant in public practice.

54. Appeals from decisions of the Board

(1) A person who is aggrieved by any decision of the Board made under Parts V and VII may, within
thirty days after being advised of such decision, appeal to the High Court in such manner as may be
prescribed.

(2) In an appeal under subsection (1), the High Court may—

(a) confirm, vary or set aside the decision appealed against; or

(b) remit the matter to the Board for further consideration and may make such other order,
whether as to costs or otherwise, as the High Court thinks just.

(3) The lodging of an appeal under subsection (1) against a decision of the Institute to withdraw a
practising certificate shall not set aside the decision appealed against, unless—

(a) the Board, by written notice to the chartered accountant concerned, agrees otherwise; or

(b) the High Court, on application, directs otherwise,

in which event the Institute shall return the practising certificate to the appellant pending the
outcome of the appeal.

55. Evidence
(1) The Register shall be prima facie proof of all matters directed or authorized by or under this Act to
be noted therein.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(2) A certificate purporting to be signed by the Institute to the effect that—

(a) the name of a person appears in any specified part of the Register, shall be prima facie proof
that the person is registered as a chartered accountant in public practice or a chartered
accountant or a diplomate accountant, as the case may be;

(b) the name of a person has been deleted or removed from or does not appear in the Register
or any specified part thereof, shall be prima facie proof that the person is not registered as a
chartered accountant in public practice or a chartered accountant or a diplomate accountant,
as the case may be; and

(c) a registered person has been suspended from practice for a specified period, shall be prima
facie proof that he has been suspended for that period.

(3) A certificate referred to in subsection (2) or a copy of an entry in the Register or of a document in
the custody of the secretary of the Board or an extract from the Register or any such document
shall, if it purports to be certified by the secretary of the Board, be admitted in evidence in any court
on its production by any person without further proof or production of the original.

56. By-laws
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Board may make By-laws prescribing anything which under this
Act is required to be prescribed or which, in the Board’s opinion, is necessary or convenient to be
prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), such By-laws may provide for—

(a) fees which shall be payable in connexion with registration, the issue of certificates and
anything else issued or done under this Act;

(b) the issue of duplicate, corrected or amended certificates of registration;

(c) the form of the Register and the circumstances in which it may be inspected by members of
the public;

(d) the levies payable by the Institute to the Board;

(e) the procedure for reviews by and appeals to the Board;

(f) the setting and administration of examinations by the Institute; and

(g) the conduct of financial statements review, and audit practice review in the context of public
interest entities.

57. Regulations
Without derogation from the specific powers prescribed in this Act, the Minister, on the recommendation
of the Board, may make regulations for the better carrying out of the purposes and provisions of this Act.

58. Compliance with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act
The Board shall at all times comply with the provisions of Part VIII of the Public Finance Management Act.

[Cap. 37:02]

59. Repeal and savings

(1) The Public Accountants and Auditors Act is repealed.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(2) Any subsidiary legislation made under the Act repealed by subsection (1), in force immediately
before the commencement of this Act—

(a) shall remain in force, unless in conflict with this Act, and shall be deemed to be subsidiary
legislation made under this Act; and

(b) may be replaced, amended or repealed by subsidiary legislation made under this Act.

[Cap. 53:06]

Part XI – Transitional provisions

60. Saving of existing appointments and membership

(1) Any person who, immediately prior to the commencement of this Act, is a member of the Board
established under the Public Accountants and Auditors Act repealed by section 59, shall be deemed
to have been appointed in accordance with this Act.

(2) Any person who, immediately prior to the commencement of this Act, is a member of the Public
Accountants Examination Council, shall continue to hold office until the expiry of his term of office
or until the Council of the Institute is duly constituted, whichever happens earlier.

[Cap. 53:06]

61. Transfer of membership to professional accountancy bodies

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, any person who, immediately prior to the
commencement of this Act—

(a) is a member in good standing of a professional accountancy body shall, upon providing
evidence of such membership to the Institute within three months after the commencement
of this Act, be deemed to have been registered as a chartered accountant or diplomate
accountant under this Act; or

(b) is offering audit and assurance services to the public, may continue, within a period of six
months from the commencement of this Act, to offer such audit and assurance services to
the public without being registered as a chartered accountant under this Act:

Provided that the person shall within the six months, be required to apply for registration as
a certified auditor in accordance with this Act.

62. Saving of existing programmes, students and qualifications

(1) Programmes and courses existing or subsisting at the commencement of this Act with respect
to students referred to in subsection (2) (a) shall continue on the same terms and conditions
subsisting before the commencement of this Act.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, any person who, immediately prior to the
commencement of this Act—

(a) is a student of the Public Accountants Examination Council shall, upon providing evidence of
being a student to the Institute within three months after the commencement of this Act, be
deemed to be a duly registered student with the Institute; or

(b) is a holder of a qualification from the Public Accountants Examination Council shall, upon
providing evidence of such qualification to the Institute within three months after the
commencement of this Act, be deemed to be a duly qualified person with the Institute.

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

63. Transfer of employees

(1) Any person who, immediately prior to the commencement of this Act is employed by the Board
established under the Public Accountants and Auditors Act repealed by section 59 (hereinafter
referred to as the “former Board”), shall be deemed to have been transferred to the employment
of the Board on the same terms and conditions of service and, for the purpose of determining his
rights thereunder, his service shall be regarded as continuous from the date he was appointed by
the former Board.

(2) Any person who, immediately prior to the commencement of this Act is employed by the Public
Accountants Examination Council, shall be deemed to have been transferred to the employment of
the Institute on the same terms and conditions of service and, for the purpose of determining his
rights thereunder, his service shall be regarded as continuous from the date he was appointed by
the Public Accountants Examination Council.

[Cap. 53:06]

64. Transfer of assets, liabilities, etc.

(1) All property, assets, funds, liabilities, obligations, agreements and other arrangements existing at
the commencement of this Act and vested in, acquired, incurred or entered into by or on behalf of
the former Board shall, on commencement of this Act, be deemed to have vested in, or to have been
acquired, incurred or entered into by, or on behalf of, the Board, and shall become enforceable by, or
against, the Board, to the same extent as they were enforceable by or against the former Board.

(2) Where the transfer of any property transferred to or vested in the Board under subsection
(1) is required by any written law to be registered, the Board shall, within one year from the
commencement of this Act, or within such other period as the written law may prescribe, apply
to the appropriate registering authority for the registration of the transfer and thereupon the
registering authority shall, at no cost to the Board or any other person by way of registration fees,
stamp or other duties—

(a) make such entries in the appropriate register as shall give effect to the transfer;

(b) where appropriate, issue to the Board a certificate of title or other statutory evidence
of ownership of the property, or make such amendments on such certificate or in the
appropriate register as may be necessary; and

(c) make any necessary endorsement on any deed or other document as may be presented to
such registering authority relating to the title, right or obligation concerned.

(3) All property, assets, funds, liabilities, obligations, agreements and other arrangements existing
at the commencement of this Act and vested in, acquired, incurred or entered into by or on behalf
of the Public Accountants Examination Council shall, on commencement of this Act, be deemed
to have vested in, or to have been acquired, incurred or entered into by, or on behalf of, the
Institute, and shall become enforceable by, or against, the Institute, to the same extent as they were
enforceable by or against the Public Accountants Examination Council.

(4) Where the transfer of any property transferred to or vested in the Institute under subsection
(3) is required by any written law to be registered, the Institute shall, within one year from the
commencement of this Act, or within such other period as the written law may prescribe, apply
to the appropriate registering authority for the registration of the transfer and thereupon the
registering authority shall, at no cost to the Institute or any other person by way of registration
fees, stamp or other duties—

(a) make such entries in the appropriate register as shall give effect to the transfer;

(b) where appropriate, issue to the Institute a certificate of title or other statutory evidence
of ownership of the property, or make such amendments on such certificate or in the
appropriate register as may be necessary; and

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Public Accountants and Auditors Act Malawi

(c) make any necessary endorsement on any deed or other document as may be presented to
such registering authority relating to the title, right or obligation concerned.

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