Canadian securities regulators adopt changes to auditor oversight rules
Jan 13, 2022
On January 13, 2022, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published final amendments intended to assist the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) with inspecting audit work performed in foreign jurisdictions.
The amendments respond to challenges CPAB has faced in accessing audit work performed by firms that are not subject to the regulator’s oversight, but complete a significant portion of the work for the audit of a Canadian reporting issuer. Audit firms performing such work are referred to as significant component auditors.
Once the changes take effect, if a significant component auditor does not provide access to CPAB voluntarily, and CPAB requests to inspect the work it performed, the significant component auditor will be requested to enter into an access agreement with CPAB to facilitate inspection of its work. Failure to do so will render that auditor ineligible to be a significant component auditor for future audit work.
Provided all necessary ministerial approvals are obtained, the amendments will come into force on March 30, 2022.
Review the following information:
- Press release
- Amendments to National Instrument 52-108 Auditor Oversight and its Companion Policy
- CPAB guidance on how it will implement the amendments