The Companies Act 1985 is amended as follows.

In section 685 (registration of joint stock company as public company), in subsection (6), in the definition of “accountant with appropriate qualifications” for the words from “a person” to “section 389(1)” substitute “a person who would be eligible”.

In section 716(2) (partnerships exempt from limit of 20 members under subsection (1)), in paragraph (b) (firms of accountants) for “a partnership consisting of persons each of whom falls within either paragraph (a) or (b) of section 389(1) (qualifications of company auditors)” substitute “a partnership which is eligible for appointment as a company auditor under section 25 of the Companies Act 1989”.

In section 717(1) (partnerships exempt from limit of 20 members under section 4(2) of the Limited partnerships Act 190756), in paragraph (b) (firms of accountants) for “and consisting of persons each of whom falls within either paragraph (a) or (b) of section 389(1) of this Act (qualification of company auditors)”substitute “which is eligible for appointment as a company auditor under section 5 of the Companies Act 1989”.