Overview
Business entities that provide public accountancy services must register with ACRA under the Accountants Act. Public accountancy services means the audit and reporting of financial statements, and performing any acts required by law of a public accountant. There is no need to register a public accounting entity with ACRA if the purpose is to provide non-public accountancy services such as accounting or tax services.
There are 3 types of accounting business structures to choose from. They are:
A comparison table of the different types of public accounting entities in Singapore is available here.
A PAC is registered under both the Accountants Act and the Companies Act, and has to comply with both legislation. A PAC is treated as an Exempt Private Company. For the full requirements under the Companies Act, please refer to Setting up a Local Company.
Who Can Apply
Only public accountants or registered filing agents (on behalf of the public accountant) can make the application to set up a PAC.