If there is any change to the registered particulars of a public accounting firm, the public accountant needs to inform the Registrar of Public Accountants.
Changes to be Notified
The public accountant needs to notify the Registrar of Public Accountants within 30 days of the change if the public accounting firm has made changes to the following particulars:
- Name of the Public Accounting Firm or
- Appointments (i.e. new partners / resignation of partners / managing partners)
- Particulars of partners (name, identification type, identification number, nationality, email address, residential address, contact number)
- Business activity
- Registered place of business
- Office contact number
- Email address.
A penalty may be imposed if the change is notified after 30 days.
Who Can Notify the Changes
Only public accountants or registered filing agent (on behalf of public accountants) can notify the changes.
How to Make the Changes
The public accountant may do so himself, or engage the professional services of a registered filing agent (e.g. law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to assist in his submission.
Step 1: Log on to Bizfile | Log on to Bizfile or engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit an online application on your behalf. |
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Step 2: Submit | Submit an online application via Bizfile. |
Step 3: Pay | For Approval of Change in Name of Public Accounting Firm, pay S$15 via the following options:
No payment is required for other changes. |
What to do After Applying
Endorsement of Changes
Changes relating to the addition or withdrawal of the partners require the endorsement (consent) of all the partners if the transaction is lodged by the public accountant i.e. without the help of a registered filing agent.
All the partners will have to log into Bizfile within 6 days from the submission date to endorse the application.
If consent is not obtained from all the partners within 6 days of submission, your notification of change will lapse i.e. the changes will not be effective.
The change will be effected on the records within 15 minutes after successful payment if no endorsement is required. If endorsement is required for the change to be made, it would be effected immediately upon the endorsement by all the partners.
