The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is the regulator of business registration, financial reporting, public accountants, and corporate service providers. We are also responsible for developing the accountancy sector and setting the accounting standards for companies, charities, co-operative societies, and societies in Singapore. ACRA fosters a vibrant and trusted business environment that enables innovation and growth and contributes towards making Singapore the best place for business.
ACRA was formed as a statutory board on 1 April 2004, following the merger of the Registry of Companies and Businesses (RCB) and the Public Accountants' Board (PAB). This merger sought to achieve synergies between the monitoring of corporate compliance with disclosure requirements and the regulation of public accountants performing statutory audits.
On 1 April 2023, ACRA, the Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC) and the Accounting Standards Council (ASC) merged as one entity, taking on the name, ACRA. The merger aimed to strengthen the effectiveness of regulation, standards-setting, and sector development by harnessing synergies across complementary accountancy-related functions.
ACRA's Vision, Mission, Corporate Goals and Values
Vision:
Singapore: The Best Place for Business
Mission:
Foster a vibrant and trusted business environment that enables innovation and growth
Corporate goals:
ACRA's four corporate goals:
- Sustainable Business Growth
- High Compliance
- Excellent Customer Experience
- High Performing Team
Core values:
ACRA's core values, guide us in all that we do:
- Integrity - We do what is right without fear or favour, and serve with passion and purpose
- Teamwork - We help one another be the best that we can be, with mutual trust and respect
- Agility - We are resilient and adapt to changes swiftly to do what is best for ACRA
- Professionalism - We pursue excellence in all that we do; we value our customers and are highly regarded by them
Responsibilities of ACRA
ACRA is responsible for, inter alia, the following functions:
- To administer the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority Act 2004, the Accountants Act 2004, the Business Names Registration Act 2014, the Companies Act 1967, the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005, the Limited Partnerships Act 2008 and the Variable Capital Companies Act 2018;
- To report and make recommendations to, and advise the Government on matters relating to (i) the registration and regulation of business entities, public accountants and corporate service providers; and (ii) the growth and development of the accountancy sector and its related fields in Singapore;
- To establish and administer a repository of documents and information relating to business entities, and public accountants; and to provide access to the public to such documents and information;
- To be responsible for making or formulating accounting standards applicable to companies, charities, co-operative societies and societies in Singapore.
- To oversee the strategic direction for, and promote, facilitate and assist in, the growth and development of the accountancy sector and its related fields in Singapore;
- To develop, provide for or administer, or facilitate or collaborate on the development, provision or administration of, programmes, qualifications, certifications, specialisations and continuing professional developments relating to the accountancy sector and its related fields in Singapore;
- To promote, develop, improve or maintain, or facilitate or collaborate on the promotion, development, improvement or maintenance of, competencies, expertise and professional standards in the accountancy sector and its related fields in Singapore;
- To develop or manage cooperation and exchange with other persons and organisations, including foreign and international orgnisations, in respect of matters relating to the accountancy sector and its related fields in Singapore;
- To represent the Government internationally in matters relating to the registration and regulation of business entities and public accountants; and
- To promote public awareness about new business structures, compliance requirements, corporate governance practice and any matters under ACRA's purview.
ACRA's Data Policy Statement
As the national business registry of Singapore, one of ACRA’s functions is to establish and administer a repository of documents and information relating to business entities and public accountants, and to provide access to the public to such documents and information.
This is to facilitate trade and interactions among businesses and members of the public, enhance transparency and enable the public to conduct due diligence checks on these entities and the people who operate them.
Most of the information lodged with ACRA via Bizfile, ACRA’s on-line registry system, can be accessed by the public upon payment of a fee. Some of the information can also be obtained from ACRA’s authorised Information Service Providers (ISPs).
Information for Public Access
The information available for public access includes registration date, nature of business activity, registered office address and financial statements of business entities, as well as personal data about owners, shareholders, directors and officers of the business. The types of personal data publicly available are:
- Name
- Identification Number
- Nationality
- Residential Address (if no Contact Address is given)*
Holders of personal data obtained through ACRA's system or from authorised ISPs are responsible for making sure that they comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and other laws, regarding the disclosure and use of personal data and information. Should the use of information by anyone constitute an offence or a breach of the law, he or she may face legal action or criminal prosecution.
ACRA is exempted from the PDPA. The ACRA Act provides for ACRA to disclose personal data in discharging its functions. Nevertheless, ACRA adheres to the Public Sector (Governance) Act and Government Instruction Manuals with respect to the way data is managed. This includes putting in place processes and procedures to prevent disclosure of data under circumstances other than those allowed under the ACRA Act.
ACRA will continue to keep abreast of industry standards and strive to implement best practices where applicable, with respect to the way we manage personal data.
* With the enactment of the ACRA (Registry and Regulatory Enhancements) Act in July 2024, individuals may choose to use their residential address as their contact address. If no contact address is provided or if the provided address is ineffective, the residential address will be used as the contact address by default.
ACRA’s Environmental Sustainability Policy Statement
ACRA is committed to promoting environmental sustainability and recognises that the way we deliver our service and perform our regulatory role has an impact on the environment.
To deliver on our commitment, we will:
Incorporate environmentally sustainable practices in the way we deliver service and interact with stakeholders
We will facilitate digital engagements with users of our services and with those we regulate and partner with, and influence businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
Work with stakeholders to shape the corporate reporting landscape for sustainability-related information
We recognise that environmental sustainability is both an opportunity and a risk, and businesses can demonstrate their impact on sustainability through corporate reporting. We will work with stakeholders to consider the reporting and assurance requirements for sustainability-related information, and how such information can contribute towards a trusted and vibrant business environment in Singapore.
Minimise our environmental footprint and foster a culture of sustainability across our organisation
We will track our environmental performance and reduce our environmental footprint through our procurement practice and usage of resources, in line with public sector sustainability commitments. We will also foster a culture of sustainability by encouraging and supporting our officers in embracing sustainable practices and making sustainability our way of life.
