- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Companies Act 2006, Paragraph 6 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 26 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
6(1)The body must have rules to the effect that a person is not eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor unless—U.K.
(a)in the case of an individual [F1other than [F2a third country auditor]], he holds an appropriate qualification,
[F3(aa) in the case of an individual who is [F4a third country auditor]—
(i)he holds an appropriate qualification,
(ii) he has been authorised on or before 5 April 2008 to practise the profession of company auditor pursuant to the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) (First General System) Regulations 2005 ( S.I. 2005/18) and has fulfilled any requirements imposed pursuant to regulation 6 of those Regulations, or
[F5(iii)he meets the requirements of sub-paragraph (1A).]]
(b)in the case of a firm F6...—
(i)each individual responsible for statutory audit work on behalf of the firm is eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor, and
(ii)the firm is controlled by qualified persons (see paragraph 7 below).
F7(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F8(1A)The requirements of this sub-paragraph are that—
(a)the individual holds a professional qualification which covers all the subjects that are covered by a recognised professional qualification and that are subjects of which knowledge is essential for the pursuit of the profession of statutory auditor, F9...
(b) the individual is an EEA auditor who—
(i)on or before IP completion day, holds a professional qualification which does not cover all those subjects,
(ii)on or before IP completion day, has been approved by the body or is in the process of seeking approval from the body, and
(iii)has met whichever of the requirements of sub-paragraph (1B) is specified in the body's rules [F10, or
(c)the individual is a specified state auditor who—
(i)holds professional qualifications obtained in a specified state that are comparable to an appropriate qualification, and
(ii)has met a requirement to take an aptitude test or to complete an adaptation period, or to undertake both, imposed on the individual by the body in accordance with Part 2 of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023, if such a requirement is so imposed.]]
[F11(1B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1A)(b)(iii), the body's rules must specify one of the following requirements—
(a)a requirement to pass an aptitude test in accordance with sub-paragraph (2),
(b)a requirement to complete an adaptation period in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2B) and (2C), or
(c)a requirement either to pass an aptitude test in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) or to complete an adaptation period in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2B) and (2C), according to the choice of the individual.]
[F12(2)The aptitude test—
(a)must test the person's knowledge of subjects—
(i)that are covered by a recognised professional qualification,
(ii)that are not covered by the professional qualification already held by the person, and
(iii)the knowledge of which is essential for the pursuit of the profession of statutory auditor;
(b)may test the person's knowledge of rules of professional conduct;
(c)must not test the person's knowledge of any other matters.
F13(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F14(2B)An adaptation period is a period, not exceeding three years, in which the individual (“the applicant”) pursues the profession of statutory auditor under the supervision of an individual who holds an appropriate qualification, subject to an assessment (“the ability assessment”) of the applicant’s ability to pursue the profession of statutory auditor in the United Kingdom.
(2C)Where the body’s rules specify [F15a requirement that may or must be met by completing an adaptation period]—
(a) the body must have rules governing the adaptation period and the ability assessment, having regard to the circumstances of each applicant and, in particular, to the fact that each applicant is a qualified professional in [F16an EEA State],
(b)the applicant may be required to undergo further training during the adaptation period,
(c)the applicant’s performance during the adaptation period must be assessed by the body, and
(d)the body must determine the applicant’s professional status during the adaptation period.]
(3)A firm which has ceased to comply with the conditions mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b) may be permitted to remain eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor for a period of not more than three months.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2008) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3494), reg. 17(2)
F2Words in Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 28(za) (as inserted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(e)(i)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F3Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(aa) inserted (6.4.2008) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3494), reg. 17(3)
F4Words in Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 28(za) (as inserted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(e)(i)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F5Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(aa)(iii) substituted (17.6.2016) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/649), reg. 1(1)(a), Sch. 3 para. 57(2)
F6Words in Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 28(zc) (as inserted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(e)(i)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F7Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 28(a) (as substituted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(e)(ii)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F8Sch. 10 para. 6(1A) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/177), regs. 2, 28(b) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1392, regs. 1(2), 6 (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 27)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F9Word in Sch. 10 para. 6(1A) omitted (1.12.2023) by virtue of The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 90(2)(a)
F10Sch. 10 para. 6(1A)(c) and word inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 90(2)(b)
F11Sch. 10 para. 6(1B) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/177), regs. 2, 28(c) (as amended by S.I. 2020/335, regs. 1, 7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F12Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(2A) substituted (6.4.2008) for Sch. 10 para. 6(2) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3494), reg. 17(4)
F13Sch. 10 para. 6(2A) omitted (17.6.2016) by virtue of The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/649), reg. 1(1)(a), Sch. 3 para. 57(6)
F14Sch. 10 para. 6(2B)(2C) inserted (17.6.2016) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/649), reg. 1(1)(a), Sch. 3 para. 57(7)
F15Words in Sch. 10 para. 6(2C) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/177), regs. 2, 28(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F16Words in Sch. 10 para. 6(2C)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 28(da) (as inserted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(e)(iii)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: