The profession of Certified Accountant
“Certified Accountant” is the professional title that Law No. 10091, dated 05.03.2009 “On statutory audit, the organisation of the profession of statutory auditor and of certified accountant”, as amended, confers on professionals who have demonstrated the ability to keep accounts and prepare the financial statements of economic entities, after meeting the legal criteria and passing the Professional Competence Examinations. The title is awarded by the Examination Commission (KPAP) at the Public Oversight Board (BMP) and is practised as a member of a professional organisation recognised by the Board. The Institute of Certified Accountants of Albania is the professional organisation that brings together Certified Accountants, Accounting Firms and candidates for the title.
The criteria, examinations, public register, continuing professional development, quality control and discipline of the profession are laid down by law and by the acts of the Public Oversight Board.
Accounting services and who may provide them
Accounting services are the responsibility of the management of commercial companies and of other entities required by law to obtain these services (Article 48 of Law No. 10091). In addition to employees engaged under an employment contract in accordance with the Labour Code, accounting services may be performed by individuals qualified as Certified Accountants or by Accounting Firms that engage Certified Accountants who have been tested by the Examination Commission (KPAP) in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Accounting Firms
Accounting Firms are organised as commercial companies, in accordance with the relevant law, and are managed by one or more persons holding the Certified Accountant certificate. They are registered in the Public Register of Certified Accountants and Accounting Firms and are subject to the same ethical, quality and disciplinary requirements as individual members. The conditions for their registration are described on the Accounting Firms page.
Difference from the Statutory Auditor
Law No. 10091 regulates two different and complementary professions. The Certified Accountant keeps the accounts and prepares the financial statements of the economic entity, working within it or on its behalf. The Statutory Auditor independently examines the financial statements prepared by the entity and expresses an opinion on them, where the law requires an audit. The titles are obtained through different examinations — three for the Certified Accountant, six for the Statutory Auditor — and are practised within different professional organisations, under the oversight of the same Public Oversight Board.
Safeguards for the public
Membership of IKM brings the Certified Accountant a set of obligations which, for clients and for the public, translate into safeguards:
- Public Register — every active Certified Accountant and every registered Accounting Firm appears in the Public Register, with the certificate number and year. Registration is annual.
- Continuing Professional Development — at least 40 hours per year, in accordance with the law and with IFAC’s International Education Standards. → Continuing Professional Development
- Code of Ethics — drawn up in accordance with the IESBA Code of Ethics, binding on members and candidates. → Code of Ethics
- Quality control — based on the International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM 1), mandatory for active members and for firms. → Quality Control
- Investigation and discipline — complaints against members are examined by the Investigation Committee and decided by the Disciplinary Committee, in accordance with the Statute and IKM regulations. → Committees
The internal rules of the professional organisation are approved by the General Assembly of members and lay down rules for the imposition and enforcement of disciplinary measures, in accordance with the law.
How to verify a Certified Accountant
IKM’s Public Register makes it possible to verify every active Certified Accountant and every Accounting Firm, by name, employment status, certificate number and year, and NUIS. Clients, institutions and employers can use the register before signing a service or employment contract. Requests to correct data in the register are sent to info@ikm.org.al.
How the title is obtained
The path to the title — the education and experience criteria, membership as a candidate, the Initial Professional Development (IPD) training, the Professional Competence Examinations at the KPAP and registration as a member — is described step by step in the Candidates section.
For questions about the profession, IKM staff are available to help at ikm.alb@gmail.com or through the Contact page.