Revenue and International
Organisation Division
Authorised
Auditors
The Division under the Companies (Authorised Auditors) Rules, 1997 is the licensing
authority for all auditors in the country. Authorised Auditors are the only persons
allowed to audit and submit financial statements of companies in Brunei. There are
currently 28 Authorised Auditors in Brunei and there are working in 12 audit firms.
Application for Authorised Auditors license can be made to the Permanent Secretary
(attention: Director of Special Duties). Applicants are required to be a chartered or
certified accountant of accountancy bodies in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and
Malaysia. Generally they are expected to have a minimum of 5 years auditing experience and
for non-Bruneians, they are expected to be in a local firm working with a Bruneian
partner. Applicants are required to submit their application form not later than 30th
October for the following year’s auditors lists. Successful applications are required
to pay fees B$500 annually.
Workpasses for
Accountants and other posts in Audit Firms
All firms who need to employ non-Bruneian in their companies as auditors or as
accountants will submit a request for a work permit for those employees. The Labour
Department will present for confirmation whether the workpasses can be approved together
with copies of documentary evidence that the employees are qualified and has sufficient
work experiences. The Division is responsible for ensuring that the auditing standards are
maintained and will recommend to the Labour Department whether or not such work pass
application can be approved.
Generally, the guidelines for approving workpasses include the following:-
- Persons who have no experience or no qualification will not be considered.
- Persons who are going to be appointed an Audit Junior or Assistant Auditor or Accountant
generally must hold a Diploma in Accountancy (equivalent to a Higher National Diploma) or
a higher qualification with at least 1 year experience.
- Persons who are going to be appointed as Auditor or Audit Senior generally must hold a
Degree in Accountancy or preferably members of one of the accountancy bodies (generally
UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore) with at least 3 years experience.
- Persons who are going to be appointed as Audit Manager and above generally must be
members of one of the accountancy bodies with at least 5 years experience.
The Division charges no fees for this service and generally Labour Department will be
informed within one week of receiving the said application.
