Application Requirements for Hong Kong and U.S. CPAs

The U.S. International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB) and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) have entered into a five-year Mutual Recognition Agreement that establishes the basis for reciprocity between the U.S. and Hong Kong accounting professions.

Mutual Recognition Agreements facilitate cross-border reciprocity by streamlining the process for qualified professionals with accounting credentials to become certified and licensed in each other’s countries. Although approved by U.S. IQAB, the AICPA and NASBA, the agreements are subject to individual state board of accountancy acceptance. The agreement with the Hong Kong Institute has been recommended to the boards of accountancy in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions for their adoption and implementation.

If you are a CPA from Hong Kong and wish to practice in the U.S., please read the following for more information:

> Application Requirements for Hong Kong CPAs Applying for U.S. CPA Designation

If you are a U.S. CPA and wish to practice in Hong Kong, please read the following for more information:

> Application Requirements for U.S. CPAs Applying for Hong Kong CPA Designation

Currently NASBA & the AICPA have mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with the following:

Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)
New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA)
Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos (IMCP)
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)

Candidates who are not members of one of these organizations and want to be licensed as a CPA in the U.S. must pass the Uniform CPA Examination. The first step in this process is to choose a state in which to apply. The eligibility and application requirements are available here.

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Any professional accountancy body wishing to enter a reciprocal agreement with U.S.-IQAB must submit a letter of intent to NASBA. The letter should contain a brief, written description of the nature and objections of the organization, the size of its membership and its interest in applying for an MRA. If the organization does not have the authority to grant practice privileges including audit rights, it must provide evidence it can facilitate obtaining these privileges for U.S. CPAs from the licensing authority.

Letter of Good Standing

If you are a U.S. CPA interested in becoming licensed as a CPA in Hong Kong, you must contact the Board office where you are licensed to have them submit a Letter of Good Standing to the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Contact your Board for further information. Depending on the Board, there may also be a fee associated with filing the letter.

Contact Information

Further information about applying for the 2012 IQEX is coming soon.

All other questions regarding IQEX should be directed to NASBA at the following:

NASBA
Attn: IQEX
150 Fourth Avenue N.
Suite 700
Nashville, TN 37219

Tel: 866-MY-NASBA or 615-312-3781
Fax: 615-880-4290
Email us your question: iqex@nasba.org
Attn: IQEX

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QUICK INFO

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Contact Information

USEFUL LINKS

Candidates & Professionals
Regulators
Mutual Recognition Agreements
Conferences
International Qualification Examination (IQEX)
International Administration of the CPA Exam (I-Exam)

RESOURCES

IQEX Candidate Bulletin
Score Forward Request Form
Letter of Good Standing