Audit professions
Last update
In order to work in the audit profession, it is necessary to be a holder of the title statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises).
The title is conferred to candidates who:
- meet the legal requirements in terms of theoretical qualification and professional integrity in order to allowed to take the professional training required;
- meet the conditions for the professional training and continuing education;
- have set up a professional establishment in Luxembourg or exercise their profession as a salaried worker in an audit firm.
To work as an auditor in a company (set up under the legal form of a company), the legal person must have the official title 'audit firm' (cabinet de révision).
The fulfilment of mandatory conditions is verified by the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier - CSSF) at the time of registration for the professional training and again when the title is conferred.
Certain professionals may benefit from the recognition of their professional qualifications obtained abroad and/or experience in order to gain access to the profession of auditor.
The statutory auditor / audit firm must have received an approval from the CSSF before they can carry out the statutory audit of accounts.
Who is concerned?
The activities of statutory auditors (and audit firms) include audit activities which are not necessarily exclusively reserved for audit professionals, i.e.:
- domiciliation;
- the contractual audit of accounts;
- tax advice;
- administration of accounts and bookkeeping;
- the analysis, through the use of accounting techniques, of the economic and financial situation of businesses from an economic, legal and financial standpoint.
The activities of statutory auditors (and audit firms) include audit activities, in addition to the ones mentioned before, which are exclusively reserved for audit professionals, i.e.:
- the issue of reports on contributions other than in cash;
- the tasks of an internal auditor in mergers/demergers;
- the tasks of a liquidator;
- the distribution of interim dividends;
- the verification and certification of the annual financial statements of the National Film Fund (Fonds national de soutien à la production audiovisuelle).
The auditor may be entrusted by the fund to proceed with specific verifications.
Only approved statutory auditors (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) and approved audit firms (cabinet de révision agréé) are authorised to carry out the statutory audit of accounts in Luxembourg.
Example: they cannot audit a business in which they are a shareholder.
Prerequisites
Conditions of access to the profession of auditor
In order to be admitted to the practical training for statutory auditors, the candidate must:
- have obtained the theoretical qualifications on a master's degree level or equivalent which must be specific to the profession;
- provide proof of professional integrity.
To be granted the title statutory auditor, the candidate must have:
- completed a 3 (minimum) to 7 year (maximum) training supervised by the CSSF;
- completed the additional training course on Luxembourg legislation organised by the University of Luxembourg;
- successfully completed the examination of professional competence organised by the CSSF.
To obtain the title 'audit firm' in order to carry out audits as an audit firm (the company), the legal person must meet the following conditions:
- the natural persons have to:
- carry out their activities in the name of the company must have the 'statutory auditor' title;
- be entitled to act on behalf of the company;
- the majority of voting rights is held by statutory auditors, approved statutory auditors, audit firms or approved audit firms;
- the majority of the members of the management board or board of directors must be statutory auditors or approved statutory auditors (at least 1 out of 2 where the body does not have more than 2 members).
Conditions for approval
Approval to become approved statutory auditor will be granted to natural persons who:
- have a professional establishment in Luxembourg;
- hold the 'statutory auditor' title;
- are an actual auditor of accounts and successfully pass the aptitude test in one of the administrative languages in Luxembourg whose objective is to test if the auditor has adequate knowledge of the laws and regulations in force in Luxembourg;
- are a statutory auditor approved in a third country, subject to the provision of proof of professional integrity and qualifications recognised as equivalent and ensuring reciprocity with Luxembourg.
Approval for approved audit firms is only granted to legal persons which:
- have a professional establishment in Luxembourg;
- hold the 'audit firm' title;
- meet the legal requirements in terms of qualification and professional integrity;
- natural persons carrying out audit missions exclusively reserved for audit professionals on behalf of the legal person must be approved statutory auditors;
- the majority of voting rights must be held by statutory auditors, approved statutory auditors, audit firms or approved audit firms;
- the majority of the members of the management board or board of directors must be statutory auditors or approved statutory auditors (at least 1 out of 2 where the body does not have more than 2 members).
How to proceed
Accessing the profession of auditor
Registering for professional training
In order to have their professional training recognised, candidates must first register with the CSSF as a trainee réviseur d'entreprises by checking the box "stagiaire" (trainee).
During the registration process, they must add the following in PDF format:
- a copy of all higher education diplomas (diplomas issued by an establishment outside the EU must be certified true copies);
- original copies of the administrative certificates issued by the higher education establishment(s);
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3;
- a declaration of honour - natural person.
After receipt of a complete application, if the candidate's diploma:
- is on the list of diplomas established by the CSSF regulation, the CSSF notifies the acceptance to the professional training within one month;
- is not listed, a consultative commission specifies which ECTS credits or equivalent must be obtained before the end of the practical training and the CSSF sends the acceptance to the practical training within 3 months following the decision of the commission.
Professional and complementary training
Within the month following the acceptance, the candidate must confirm their registration for the professional training either by post or email (supaudit@cssf.lu), countersigned by the training supervisor. In this case, professional training is deemed to begin at the date of notification of admission to the professional training by the CSSF.
The start date of the professional training can be back-dated by 6 months at the most if the trainee was employed by an approved auditor or audit firm during that period. For this to happen, the candidate is required to submit a request to the CSSF.
If the registration is not confirmed within one month, the professional training is deemed to begin on the date the confirmation is received.
During the training, the trainee must:
- inform the CSSF if the training supervisor has been replaced and each time the training is interrupted or resumed, within one month, by post or email (supaudit@cssf.lu), countersigned by the training supervisor. Once this deadline has passed, the professional training is automatically:
- interrupted until the date of receipt of the notification of a change of training supervisor;
- extended by twice the duration of the period of interruption in the event of an interruption or resumption of the professional training;
- take the complementary training course on Luxembourg legislation and pass the complementary training course certificate;
- register for the examination of professional competence after 3 years of professional experience at the earliest.
Update of data concerning the trainees
At the end of the year, the CSSF will send an email to each approved audit firm with the data concerning their trainees which are recorded in the register of the CSSF.
The managers of the audit firm must then update the data concerning the candidates for access to the profession (check the box "stagiaire" (trainee)) or confirm the accuracy of the data before 15 December.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Examination of professional competence
The examination of professional competence is organised once a year between 1 September and 30 November.
In order to sign up for the examination, the candidate who has been a trainee for at least 3 years on the date of the first examination must send their application by post to the CSSF:
The application must be accompanied by the following:
- where applicable, the original administrative certificates regarding missing ECTS credits or equivalent (they have to be sent 3 months prior to the registration for the examination);
- a copy of the complementary training certificate issued by the University of Luxembourg:
- the original document of their Master's degree in accounting and audit awarded by the University of Luxembourg and covering the same subjects (or a statement of their grades if they have not completed the Master's degree);
- a letter detailing the nature of the missions carried out during the training as well as the sectors of activity aimed for.
Candidates who successfully passed the exam:
- will be awarded a diploma;
- can request:
- the 'statutory auditor' title;
- their approval.
Registration as a statutory auditor
Each statutory auditor has to register as a statutory auditor with the CSSF and indicate whether they work for an audit firm or in a company.
During the registration process, they must add registration form together with the following in PDF format:
- proof of professional establishment in Luxembourg (certificate of the employer or audit firm);
- the certificate of successful completion of the examination of professional competence or the diploma of professional competence for trainee candidates;
- where applicable, the complementary training certificate;
- where applicable, a copy of the former approval as statutory auditor issued by the Ministry of Justice;
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3;
- a declaration of honour - natural person.
Registration of audit firms
Each audit firm has to register as such with the CSSF.
This requirement also applies to approved audit firms.
During the registration process, they have to attach documentary proof of existence as a professional establishment in Luxembourg in PDF format, i.e.:
- either an extract from the Trade and Companies Register;
- or a certificate of registration for VAT;
- or their tax identification number with the Luxembourg Inland Revenue (Administration des contributions directes);
- or invoices, etc.
Recognition of qualifications/professional experience
Exemption after 7 years of professional experience
Application for exemption
An exemption concerning the initial diploma and the professional training may be granted to candidates who have at least 7 years of professional experience in the fields of finance, law and accounting. In this case they have to register with the CSSF as a candidate for access to the profession of réviseur d'entreprises by checking the box "7 ans".
the certificate of successful completion of the examination of professional competence.
During the registration process, they must add the following documents in PDF format:
- a motivation letter describing their audit activities;
- employment certificates with the details of the professional tasks and missions carried out over the years such as to provide proof of 7 years of professional experience;
- a curriculum vitae with a detailed career path;
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a declaration of honour - natural person;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3;
Granting the exemption
If exemption is granted, candidates are invited by the CSSF to:
- register for the training (unless an exemption was granted);
- take the complementary training course on Luxembourg legislation.
Registration for the exam
In order to register for the examination, the candidate must send the following by post to the CSSF:
- the favourable decision of the CSSF with respect to sufficient knowledge in the fields of finance, law and accounting;
- a copy of the complementary training certificate issued by the University of Luxembourg.
Update of data concerning the candidates
At the end of the year, the CSSF will send an email to each approved audit firm with the data concerning their trainees who are recorded in the register of the CSSF.
The business manager of the audit firm must then update the data concerning the candidates for access to the profession (check the box "7 years") or confirm the accuracy of the data before 15 December.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Statutory auditors and audit firms must update their information within 8 days from the change in order to notify any change which impacts the information recorded in the public register.
Exemption after 15 years of professional experience
Application for exemption
An exemption concerning the initial diploma, the professional training and the complementary training course may be granted to candidates who haveat least 15 years of professional experience in the fields of finance, law and accounting. In this case they have to register with the CSSF as a candidate for access to the profession of réviseur d'entreprises by checking the box "15 ans".
In order to be granted the exemption, it is necessary to have successfully passed the examination of professional competence.
They have to attach the following documents in PDF format at the time of registration:
- a motivation letter putting forward their audit activities;
- employment certificates with the details of the professional tasks and missions carried out over the years such as to provide proof of 15 years of professional experience;
- a curriculum vitae with a detailed career path;
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a declaration of honour - natural person;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3.
If the exemption is granted, the CSSF authorises the candidate to register for the examination of professional competence.
Registration for the examination
To register for the exam, candidates are required to send the favourable decision of the CSSF regarding the adequate professional experience in the fields of finance, law and accounting by mail to the CSSF.
Update of data concerning candidates
Each year, the CSSF will send an email to each approved audit firm with the data concerning their trainees which are recorded in the register of the CSSF.
The business manager of the audit firm must then update their data concerning the candidates for access to the profession (check the box "15 years") or confirm the accuracy of the data before 15 December.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Approved statutory auditors and approved audit firms must immediately perform the update such as to notify any change in their data which impacts the information recorded in the public register.
Recognition of qualifications for statutory auditors approved abroad
Application for equivalence
To obtain the title as statutory auditor, candidates who have been approved as statutory auditor abroad have to register with the CSSF as acandidate for access to the profession of statutory auditor by checking the box "Agrément étranger" (foreign approval).
They have to attach the following documents in PDF format at the time of registration:
- a written application on plain paper;
- a copy of their ID card;
- a copy of their approval obtained abroad;
- a declaration of honour - natural person;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3.
Complementary training
If the applicant holds an approval as auditor which is recognised as equivalent in Luxembourg (list of equivalences established by CSSF regulation), the CSSF will indicate if there are any complementary training certificates that must be provided to be granted the title.
An exemption from the professional training, the examination of professional competence and a part of the complementary training course may be granted to candidate.
If the candidate holds an approved statutory auditor certificate which is not recognised in Luxembourg, they may be granted an exemption from the professional training and examination of professional competence. In this case, the CSSF may, on advice from an advisory committee:
- in the event of a negative opinion - invite the applicant to register as a trainee if the conditions for access are met;
- in case of a positive opinion - indicate the complementary training certificates required to be granted the title.
On presentation of the complementary training certificates, the candidate is granted the title statutory auditor. The candidate can then directly request their approval.
Approved statutory auditors and audit firms
Application for approval
Audit firms and statutory auditors who wish to carry out the statutory audit of accounts and other missions entrusted by law exclusively to approved statutory auditors must obtain approval from the CSSF.
They can submit an application for approval on plain paper to the CSSF's service 'Public oversight of the audit profession' after their registration.
The application for approval must indicate the personal identification number assigned by the CSSF at the time of registration.
Legal persons must send the following together with their application:
- with respect to the legal person:
- a declaration of honour - legal person signed by the legal representative of the business entity;
- an extract from the Trade and Companies Register - RCS dated less than 3 months;
- proof of filing of the annual financial statements;
- for all members of the administrative or management body of the entity:
- a copy of an identity document;
- a curriculum vitae;
- an extract from the criminal record no. 3.
- a declaration of honour - natural person.
Statutory auditors, natural persons, must submit their application together with their certificate of professional establishment.
Update of administrative data
The CSSF keeps a public register of approved statutory auditors and approved audit firms.
Each year, the CSSF will request every audit firm and statutory auditor to update or confirm the accuracy of their personal data.
The business managers of the firms and the statutory auditors then must:
- update their data as an audit firm;
- update their data as a statutory auditor;
- and/or update the data concerning the candidates for access to the profession of statutory auditor.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Audit firms and statutory auditors must carry out the update within the 8-day deadline in order to report any change in their data which impacts the information recorded in the public register.
Annual appendix
Approved audit firms and approved statutory auditors must also file an annual appendix with the CSSF in order to declare the number of statutory audit of accounts carried out during the past year and differentiate between public-interest entities and those that are not.
Approved audit firms also have to indicate:
- the number of statutory auditors in their employ;
- the number of candidates looking to access the profession.
Approved statutory auditors are required to indicate the number of hours of vocational training carried out over the past year, per category.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Financial Sector Supervisory Commission
-
Financial Sector Supervisory Commission
- Address:
-
283, route d'Arlon
L-1150
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
L-2991
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 251 - 1
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 251 - 601
- Email address:
- direction@cssf.lu
- Website:
- http://www.cssf.lu/en/
-
Public oversight of the audit profession
- Address:
- 283, route d'Arlon L-1150 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 25 1 - 512
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 25 1 - 602
- Email address:
- supaudit@cssf.lu
Luxembourg Institute of Registered Auditors
-
Luxembourg Institute of Registered Auditors
- Address:
-
7, rue Alcide de Gasperi
L-1615
Luxemourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 2056, L-1020 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 29 11 39-1
- Fax:
- (+352) 29 13 34
- Email address:
- contact@ire.lu
- Website:
- http://www.ire.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
- Public Oversight of the Audit Profession
-
Institut des réviseurs d'entreprise (IRE)
Site web
-
Formation complémentaire des candidats réviseurs d'entreprises et experts-comptables
sur le site de l'Université du Luxembourg
Legal references
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 18 décembre 2009
déterminant les conditions de reconnaissance de prestataires d'autres Etats membres
- Règlement CSSF N° 16-11
- Règlement CSSF N° 16-09
-
Loi du 23 juillet 2016
relative à la profession de l'audit portant
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 14 décembre 2018
déterminant les conditions de qualification professionnelle des réviseurs d'entreprises et des réviseurs d'entreprises agréées
In order to work in the audit profession, it is necessary to be a holder of the title statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises).
The title is conferred to candidates who:
- meet the legal requirements in terms of theoretical qualification and professional integrity in order to allowed to take the professional training required;
- meet the conditions for the professional training and continuing education;
- have set up a professional establishment in Luxembourg or exercise their profession as a salaried worker in an audit firm.
To work as an auditor in a company (set up under the legal form of a company), the legal person must have the official title 'audit firm' (cabinet de révision).
The fulfilment of mandatory conditions is verified by the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier - CSSF) at the time of registration for the professional training and again when the title is conferred.
Certain professionals may benefit from the recognition of their professional qualifications obtained abroad and/or experience in order to gain access to the profession of auditor.
The statutory auditor / audit firm must have received an approval from the CSSF before they can carry out the statutory audit of accounts.
Who is concerned?
The activities of statutory auditors (and audit firms) include audit activities which are not necessarily exclusively reserved for audit professionals, i.e.:
- domiciliation;
- the contractual audit of accounts;
- tax advice;
- administration of accounts and bookkeeping;
- the analysis, through the use of accounting techniques, of the economic and financial situation of businesses from an economic, legal and financial standpoint.
The activities of statutory auditors (and audit firms) include audit activities, in addition to the ones mentioned before, which are exclusively reserved for audit professionals, i.e.:
- the issue of reports on contributions other than in cash;
- the tasks of an internal auditor in mergers/demergers;
- the tasks of a liquidator;
- the distribution of interim dividends;
- the verification and certification of the annual financial statements of the National Film Fund (Fonds national de soutien à la production audiovisuelle).
The auditor may be entrusted by the fund to proceed with specific verifications.
Only approved statutory auditors (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) and approved audit firms (cabinet de révision agréé) are authorised to carry out the statutory audit of accounts in Luxembourg.
Example: they cannot audit a business in which they are a shareholder.
Prerequisites
Conditions of access to the profession of auditor
In order to be admitted to the practical training for statutory auditors, the candidate must:
- have obtained the theoretical qualifications on a master's degree level or equivalent which must be specific to the profession;
- provide proof of professional integrity.
To be granted the title statutory auditor, the candidate must have:
- completed a 3 (minimum) to 7 year (maximum) training supervised by the CSSF;
- completed the additional training course on Luxembourg legislation organised by the University of Luxembourg;
- successfully completed the examination of professional competence organised by the CSSF.
To obtain the title 'audit firm' in order to carry out audits as an audit firm (the company), the legal person must meet the following conditions:
- the natural persons have to:
- carry out their activities in the name of the company must have the 'statutory auditor' title;
- be entitled to act on behalf of the company;
- the majority of voting rights is held by statutory auditors, approved statutory auditors, audit firms or approved audit firms;
- the majority of the members of the management board or board of directors must be statutory auditors or approved statutory auditors (at least 1 out of 2 where the body does not have more than 2 members).
Conditions for approval
Approval to become approved statutory auditor will be granted to natural persons who:
- have a professional establishment in Luxembourg;
- hold the 'statutory auditor' title;
- are an actual auditor of accounts and successfully pass the aptitude test in one of the administrative languages in Luxembourg whose objective is to test if the auditor has adequate knowledge of the laws and regulations in force in Luxembourg;
- are a statutory auditor approved in a third country, subject to the provision of proof of professional integrity and qualifications recognised as equivalent and ensuring reciprocity with Luxembourg.
Approval for approved audit firms is only granted to legal persons which:
- have a professional establishment in Luxembourg;
- hold the 'audit firm' title;
- meet the legal requirements in terms of qualification and professional integrity;
- natural persons carrying out audit missions exclusively reserved for audit professionals on behalf of the legal person must be approved statutory auditors;
- the majority of voting rights must be held by statutory auditors, approved statutory auditors, audit firms or approved audit firms;
- the majority of the members of the management board or board of directors must be statutory auditors or approved statutory auditors (at least 1 out of 2 where the body does not have more than 2 members).
How to proceed
Accessing the profession of auditor
Registering for professional training
In order to have their professional training recognised, candidates must first register with the CSSF as a trainee réviseur d'entreprises by checking the box "stagiaire" (trainee).
During the registration process, they must add the following in PDF format:
- a copy of all higher education diplomas (diplomas issued by an establishment outside the EU must be certified true copies);
- original copies of the administrative certificates issued by the higher education establishment(s);
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3;
- a declaration of honour - natural person.
After receipt of a complete application, if the candidate's diploma:
- is on the list of diplomas established by the CSSF regulation, the CSSF notifies the acceptance to the professional training within one month;
- is not listed, a consultative commission specifies which ECTS credits or equivalent must be obtained before the end of the practical training and the CSSF sends the acceptance to the practical training within 3 months following the decision of the commission.
Professional and complementary training
Within the month following the acceptance, the candidate must confirm their registration for the professional training either by post or email (supaudit@cssf.lu), countersigned by the training supervisor. In this case, professional training is deemed to begin at the date of notification of admission to the professional training by the CSSF.
The start date of the professional training can be back-dated by 6 months at the most if the trainee was employed by an approved auditor or audit firm during that period. For this to happen, the candidate is required to submit a request to the CSSF.
If the registration is not confirmed within one month, the professional training is deemed to begin on the date the confirmation is received.
During the training, the trainee must:
- inform the CSSF if the training supervisor has been replaced and each time the training is interrupted or resumed, within one month, by post or email (supaudit@cssf.lu), countersigned by the training supervisor. Once this deadline has passed, the professional training is automatically:
- interrupted until the date of receipt of the notification of a change of training supervisor;
- extended by twice the duration of the period of interruption in the event of an interruption or resumption of the professional training;
- take the complementary training course on Luxembourg legislation and pass the complementary training course certificate;
- register for the examination of professional competence after 3 years of professional experience at the earliest.
Update of data concerning the trainees
At the end of the year, the CSSF will send an email to each approved audit firm with the data concerning their trainees which are recorded in the register of the CSSF.
The managers of the audit firm must then update the data concerning the candidates for access to the profession (check the box "stagiaire" (trainee)) or confirm the accuracy of the data before 15 December.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Examination of professional competence
The examination of professional competence is organised once a year between 1 September and 30 November.
In order to sign up for the examination, the candidate who has been a trainee for at least 3 years on the date of the first examination must send their application by post to the CSSF:
The application must be accompanied by the following:
- where applicable, the original administrative certificates regarding missing ECTS credits or equivalent (they have to be sent 3 months prior to the registration for the examination);
- a copy of the complementary training certificate issued by the University of Luxembourg:
- the original document of their Master's degree in accounting and audit awarded by the University of Luxembourg and covering the same subjects (or a statement of their grades if they have not completed the Master's degree);
- a letter detailing the nature of the missions carried out during the training as well as the sectors of activity aimed for.
Candidates who successfully passed the exam:
- will be awarded a diploma;
- can request:
- the 'statutory auditor' title;
- their approval.
Registration as a statutory auditor
Each statutory auditor has to register as a statutory auditor with the CSSF and indicate whether they work for an audit firm or in a company.
During the registration process, they must add registration form together with the following in PDF format:
- proof of professional establishment in Luxembourg (certificate of the employer or audit firm);
- the certificate of successful completion of the examination of professional competence or the diploma of professional competence for trainee candidates;
- where applicable, the complementary training certificate;
- where applicable, a copy of the former approval as statutory auditor issued by the Ministry of Justice;
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3;
- a declaration of honour - natural person.
Registration of audit firms
Each audit firm has to register as such with the CSSF.
This requirement also applies to approved audit firms.
During the registration process, they have to attach documentary proof of existence as a professional establishment in Luxembourg in PDF format, i.e.:
- either an extract from the Trade and Companies Register;
- or a certificate of registration for VAT;
- or their tax identification number with the Luxembourg Inland Revenue (Administration des contributions directes);
- or invoices, etc.
Recognition of qualifications/professional experience
Exemption after 7 years of professional experience
Application for exemption
An exemption concerning the initial diploma and the professional training may be granted to candidates who have at least 7 years of professional experience in the fields of finance, law and accounting. In this case they have to register with the CSSF as a candidate for access to the profession of réviseur d'entreprises by checking the box "7 ans".
the certificate of successful completion of the examination of professional competence.
During the registration process, they must add the following documents in PDF format:
- a motivation letter describing their audit activities;
- employment certificates with the details of the professional tasks and missions carried out over the years such as to provide proof of 7 years of professional experience;
- a curriculum vitae with a detailed career path;
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a declaration of honour - natural person;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3;
Granting the exemption
If exemption is granted, candidates are invited by the CSSF to:
- register for the training (unless an exemption was granted);
- take the complementary training course on Luxembourg legislation.
Registration for the exam
In order to register for the examination, the candidate must send the following by post to the CSSF:
- the favourable decision of the CSSF with respect to sufficient knowledge in the fields of finance, law and accounting;
- a copy of the complementary training certificate issued by the University of Luxembourg.
Update of data concerning the candidates
At the end of the year, the CSSF will send an email to each approved audit firm with the data concerning their trainees who are recorded in the register of the CSSF.
The business manager of the audit firm must then update the data concerning the candidates for access to the profession (check the box "7 years") or confirm the accuracy of the data before 15 December.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Statutory auditors and audit firms must update their information within 8 days from the change in order to notify any change which impacts the information recorded in the public register.
Exemption after 15 years of professional experience
Application for exemption
An exemption concerning the initial diploma, the professional training and the complementary training course may be granted to candidates who haveat least 15 years of professional experience in the fields of finance, law and accounting. In this case they have to register with the CSSF as a candidate for access to the profession of réviseur d'entreprises by checking the box "15 ans".
In order to be granted the exemption, it is necessary to have successfully passed the examination of professional competence.
They have to attach the following documents in PDF format at the time of registration:
- a motivation letter putting forward their audit activities;
- employment certificates with the details of the professional tasks and missions carried out over the years such as to provide proof of 15 years of professional experience;
- a curriculum vitae with a detailed career path;
- a copy of an ID card/passport;
- a declaration of honour - natural person;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3.
If the exemption is granted, the CSSF authorises the candidate to register for the examination of professional competence.
Registration for the examination
To register for the exam, candidates are required to send the favourable decision of the CSSF regarding the adequate professional experience in the fields of finance, law and accounting by mail to the CSSF.
Update of data concerning candidates
Each year, the CSSF will send an email to each approved audit firm with the data concerning their trainees which are recorded in the register of the CSSF.
The business manager of the audit firm must then update their data concerning the candidates for access to the profession (check the box "15 years") or confirm the accuracy of the data before 15 December.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Approved statutory auditors and approved audit firms must immediately perform the update such as to notify any change in their data which impacts the information recorded in the public register.
Recognition of qualifications for statutory auditors approved abroad
Application for equivalence
To obtain the title as statutory auditor, candidates who have been approved as statutory auditor abroad have to register with the CSSF as acandidate for access to the profession of statutory auditor by checking the box "Agrément étranger" (foreign approval).
They have to attach the following documents in PDF format at the time of registration:
- a written application on plain paper;
- a copy of their ID card;
- a copy of their approval obtained abroad;
- a declaration of honour - natural person;
- a recent extract from the criminal record no. 3.
Complementary training
If the applicant holds an approval as auditor which is recognised as equivalent in Luxembourg (list of equivalences established by CSSF regulation), the CSSF will indicate if there are any complementary training certificates that must be provided to be granted the title.
An exemption from the professional training, the examination of professional competence and a part of the complementary training course may be granted to candidate.
If the candidate holds an approved statutory auditor certificate which is not recognised in Luxembourg, they may be granted an exemption from the professional training and examination of professional competence. In this case, the CSSF may, on advice from an advisory committee:
- in the event of a negative opinion - invite the applicant to register as a trainee if the conditions for access are met;
- in case of a positive opinion - indicate the complementary training certificates required to be granted the title.
On presentation of the complementary training certificates, the candidate is granted the title statutory auditor. The candidate can then directly request their approval.
Approved statutory auditors and audit firms
Application for approval
Audit firms and statutory auditors who wish to carry out the statutory audit of accounts and other missions entrusted by law exclusively to approved statutory auditors must obtain approval from the CSSF.
They can submit an application for approval on plain paper to the CSSF's service 'Public oversight of the audit profession' after their registration.
The application for approval must indicate the personal identification number assigned by the CSSF at the time of registration.
Legal persons must send the following together with their application:
- with respect to the legal person:
- a declaration of honour - legal person signed by the legal representative of the business entity;
- an extract from the Trade and Companies Register - RCS dated less than 3 months;
- proof of filing of the annual financial statements;
- for all members of the administrative or management body of the entity:
- a copy of an identity document;
- a curriculum vitae;
- an extract from the criminal record no. 3.
- a declaration of honour - natural person.
Statutory auditors, natural persons, must submit their application together with their certificate of professional establishment.
Update of administrative data
The CSSF keeps a public register of approved statutory auditors and approved audit firms.
Each year, the CSSF will request every audit firm and statutory auditor to update or confirm the accuracy of their personal data.
The business managers of the firms and the statutory auditors then must:
- update their data as an audit firm;
- update their data as a statutory auditor;
- and/or update the data concerning the candidates for access to the profession of statutory auditor.
Supporting documents in PDF format must be attached to the update, where required.
Audit firms and statutory auditors must carry out the update within the 8-day deadline in order to report any change in their data which impacts the information recorded in the public register.
Annual appendix
Approved audit firms and approved statutory auditors must also file an annual appendix with the CSSF in order to declare the number of statutory audit of accounts carried out during the past year and differentiate between public-interest entities and those that are not.
Approved audit firms also have to indicate:
- the number of statutory auditors in their employ;
- the number of candidates looking to access the profession.
Approved statutory auditors are required to indicate the number of hours of vocational training carried out over the past year, per category.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Financial Sector Supervisory Commission
-
Financial Sector Supervisory Commission
- Address:
-
283, route d'Arlon
L-1150
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
L-2991
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 251 - 1
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 251 - 601
- Email address:
- direction@cssf.lu
- Website:
- http://www.cssf.lu/en/
-
Public oversight of the audit profession
- Address:
- 283, route d'Arlon L-1150 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 25 1 - 512
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 25 1 - 602
- Email address:
- supaudit@cssf.lu
Luxembourg Institute of Registered Auditors
-
Luxembourg Institute of Registered Auditors
- Address:
-
7, rue Alcide de Gasperi
L-1615
Luxemourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 2056, L-1020 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 29 11 39-1
- Fax:
- (+352) 29 13 34
- Email address:
- contact@ire.lu
- Website:
- http://www.ire.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
- Public Oversight of the Audit Profession
-
Institut des réviseurs d'entreprise (IRE)
Site web
-
Formation complémentaire des candidats réviseurs d'entreprises et experts-comptables
sur le site de l'Université du Luxembourg
Legal references
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 18 décembre 2009
déterminant les conditions de reconnaissance de prestataires d'autres Etats membres
- Règlement CSSF N° 16-11
- Règlement CSSF N° 16-09
-
Loi du 23 juillet 2016
relative à la profession de l'audit portant
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 14 décembre 2018
déterminant les conditions de qualification professionnelle des réviseurs d'entreprises et des réviseurs d'entreprises agréées
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