SFC Audit Services for Licensed Corporations and Registered Institutions

If you are not an authorised financial institution and are carrying on business in Hong Kong in one of the ten types of activity regulated by the SFC (Note), you will need to obtain a licence. Auditors of licensed corporations shall conduct a compliance audit in addition to the standard annual audit required under the Companies Ordinance.

Note: For more details, please refer to the SFC website https://www.sfc.hk/en/Regulatory-functions/Intermediaries/Licensing/Do-you-need-a-licence-or-registration

Services

If you are already an SFC licensed corporation or registered institution

If you are a corporation or registered institution preparing to apply for an SFC licence

CMCL provides a full range of audit services for corporations or registered institutions holding Type 1, 4 or 9 license:

– Ensure the corporation remain compliant

– Licensed corporations are required to submit financial returns to the SFC on a regular basis, i.e.  monthly, quarterly and biannually. Financial position, margin client analysis and assets under management shall be included therein. CMCL will assist you in preparing a series of financial returns to ensure that the corporation complies with the SFC regulations.

– Dedicated accountant

– Licensed corporations need a dedicated accountant throughout the year. For example, following the introduction of IFRS 16 Leases, accountants will need to consider the new standard when preparing for both the first FRR and the final audit for the financial year. Our team tracks all regulatory submissions from licensed corporate clients throughout the year and liaises with them regarding updates in accounting and from the SFC.

– Compliance audit

Reports to issue

1. Standard company audit report
2. Compliance audit report

Documents of licensed corporations to review:

1. Management’s business review questionnaire
2. Financial resources report
3. Audit questionnaire
4. Account disclosure document

– Items to check

Client funds shall be deposited into a segregated account within the same day

Standing authority is changed regularly

Interest on client funds is properly handled

Authorisation for withdrawals is properly obtained

 

– Compliance audit report

In this report, we are responsible for confirming to the SFC that you have complied with all the rules relating to the handling and record-keeping of client funds/assets upon ensuring that you have a detailed record of client funds that is consistent with the records of a clearing system, e.g. CCASS

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CMCL provides one-stop service for corporations or institutions preparing to apply for Type 1, 4 or 9 license:

– Reviewing a business plan

Before applying for an SFC licence, you will need to submit a detailed business plan to ensure that you are granted a licence that is suitable for your business. Our compliance services can assist in a number of areas, including

Hong Kong listed stock trading
Margin business
Bond trading
Futures and options trading
Leveraged foreign exchange trading
Initial public offering (IPO)

 

– Auditing services

Our auditors have many years of experience and a good reputation in the industry

 

– Referral to licensing consultants

When applying for the above licences, professional licensing consultants can make your application process much smoother. CMCL has long-term and stable licensing consultant partners. We can refer your case to them whenever the need arises during the process.

Why us?

We have long-term and stable licensing consultant partners, thus being able to provide one-stop service.
Aiming to provide people-oriented service, we are willing to listen to our clients and adjust our services flexibly.
We have 40 years of experience and a good reputation in the industry.

Success story:

The liquid capital of one of our clients was about to fall below the SFC requirements due to a temporary loss. At that time, the client had not entrusted us yet. They simply injected shareholders’ funds into the company, thinking that it could meet the requirements. In fact, there was a need to increase the company’s share capital. After our analysis, we were able to transfer the funds into the shareholders’ equity and keep the company in compliance.
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