On 6 May 2026, a significant change to Singapore’s audit landscape took effect. The Corporate and Accounting Laws Amendment Act 2025 (CALA 2025) introduced a new requirement: every audit report issued by a Singapore company must now name the individual public accountant personally responsible for the engagement. Previously, audit reports were signed off in the name of the accounting firm alone — the engagement partner’s name appeared only in ACRA’s internal records.

This change, modest as it appears, has material implications for directors and company secretaries. It affects the audit engagement process, the content of auditor engagement letters, and the way boards should conduct their annual audit committee reviews.

This guide explains exactly what the requirement means, which companies are affected, what directors must do to comply, and what enforcement looks like if a company falls short.

What CALA 2025 Requires: The Individual Auditor Naming Rule

Under CALA 2025, effective 6 May 2026, audit reports for Singapore companies that are required to be audited must state the name of the individual public accountant who personally conducted the audit engagement — not merely the name of the audit firm.

This requirement aligns Singapore with international best practice. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in the United States, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in the United Kingdom, and equivalent regulators in Australia have required engagement partner identification in audit reports for some years. CALA 2025 brings Singapore into that group.

The rationale is straightforward: when an individual auditor’s name is attached to an audit report, there is a stronger incentive to ensure that the audit has been conducted thoroughly and in accordance with professional standards. It also enables regulators and investors to trace individual accountability for audit quality over time.

Which Companies Are Affected?

The naming requirement applies to all Singapore companies that are required to have audited financial statements. Under the Companies Act, audited accounts are required unless a company qualifies for the audit exemption under Section 205C. The exemption applies to small companies, defined as those meeting at least two of these three criteria for the financial year and the immediately preceding financial year:

  • Total annual revenue of S$10 million or less
  • Total gross assets of S$10 million or less
  • 50 or fewer employees

A similar small group exemption applies at the consolidated level. For more on your annual filing obligations, see the comprehensive ACRA filing requirements guide.

If your company does not qualify for the audit exemption — because it is larger, has more shareholders, or is otherwise required by its constitution or funding agreements to be audited — the new individual naming requirement applies to you.

What Changed: Before and After CALA 2025

Before 6 May 2026, the audit report for a Singapore company would typically read:

“To the members of [Company Name] Pte Ltd … [Audit Firm Name] … Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants”

The individual engagement partner was not identified in the public report. After 6 May 2026, the report must additionally identify the individual by name — for example:

“[Name of Engagement Partner], Public Accountant (Singapore), practicing in and through [Audit Firm Name]”

For the full regulatory background, see ACRA’s official guidance at acra.gov.sg and the CALA 2025 text at Singapore Statutes Online.

What Directors and Company Secretaries Must Now Do

1. Confirm with Your Audit Firm

The first and most immediate action is to confirm with your external audit firm that the individual public accountant’s name will appear on the next audit report. Most established firms will already be aware of the requirement — but directors should not assume. Specifically, ask:

  • Who is the named engagement partner for our audit?
  • Will their name appear on the audit report for this financial year?
  • Has the audit engagement letter been updated to identify the responsible individual?

2. Review and Update the Audit Engagement Letter

The audit engagement letter is the formal agreement between the company and the audit firm that sets out the scope and terms of the audit. Under the new regime, the engagement letter should clearly identify:

  • The name and registration number of the individual public accountant who will personally conduct the engagement
  • Confirmation that this individual’s name will appear on the audit report

If you have an existing engagement letter that does not contain this information, request an updated version or a supplemental letter confirming the named individual before the audit commences.

3. Update Your Internal Compliance Checklist

The company secretary’s annual compliance checklist should be updated to include a step: review audit report at the board meeting to confirm the individual public accountant’s name is present. This is particularly important for your annual compliance calendar.

When the audit report is tabled at the AGM or presented to the board, the agenda should include a specific item to verify compliance with the CALA 2025 naming requirement. This verification should be minuted.

4. Assess the Impact on Audit Committee Reviews

If your company has an audit committee (required for listed companies and recommended for larger private companies), the audit committee’s annual review of the external auditor should now include an assessment of the named engagement partner’s track record, qualifications, and recent disciplinary history. ACRA maintains a public register of registered public accountants — audit committees should verify that the named individual is currently registered and in good standing.

ACRA Enforcement: What Happens If the Audit Report Is Non-Compliant?

ACRA has enforcement powers under the Companies Act and can take action against companies, directors, and auditors that fail to comply with statutory requirements. A non-compliant audit report — one that lacks the individual accountant’s name — is a statutory breach. Directors who knowingly permit a non-compliant audit report to be filed risk enforcement action, which can include financial penalties.

The individual public accountant is also personally accountable. If a registered public accountant signs an audit report without including their name (or allows it to be suppressed), this is a breach of their registration conditions and can be referred to ACRA’s public accountants oversight committee for disciplinary proceedings.

If you need legal advice on your audit compliance obligations under CALA 2025, particularly for more complex audit arrangements, we can point you in the right direction.

Interaction with Other CALA 2025 Changes

The individual auditor naming rule is one of several changes introduced by CALA 2025. Other changes that took effect on 6 May 2026 include enhanced director liability provisions and updated off-market share buyback safeguards. For a full overview of all CALA 2025 changes, see our earlier guide: CALA 2025 Commenced 6 May 2026: What Directors Must Know.

The naming requirement also dovetails with the broader accountability obligations directors have under the Companies Act to ensure accurate and complete financial reporting. An audit report that is defective — even for a procedural reason like a missing name — reflects on the overall quality of the company’s financial governance.

For the latest Singapore business and regulatory news, staying current on ACRA’s implementation guidance is important. Beyond audit compliance, prudent financial governance and business planning are equally critical for directors.

Practical Action Plan for Directors

Here is a concise action plan to ensure your company is compliant with the CALA 2025 audit naming requirement:

  • Step 1: Contact your external auditors and confirm they are aware of the CALA 2025 requirement
  • Step 2: Request confirmation of the named individual public accountant for your audit engagement
  • Step 3: Review your audit engagement letter and request an update if the individual is not named
  • Step 4: Update your company’s internal compliance checklist to include audit report verification
  • Step 5: At the board meeting when the audit report is reviewed, specifically minute the verification of the named accountant
  • Step 6: If your company has an audit committee, ensure this is included in the annual auditor assessment agenda

How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

Raffles Corporate Services provides company secretarial and corporate governance advisory services for Singapore companies. Our team can help you update your compliance checklists, coordinate with your auditors, and ensure that your company’s governance processes reflect the latest regulatory requirements — including CALA 2025.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services