LICENSE GUIDE
Audit Firm License in Laos
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At a Glance
Who Needs This
Individuals or legal entities intending to establish or cooperate with accounting and auditing enterprises in Laos.
Conditions and thresholds
- A professional accountant or foreign auditing enterprise, and a member of the Chamber of Accountants and Auditors.
- Not a government official, and not an owner, shareholder or employee of another enterprise, as the record states.
- No discipline or conviction related to fraud or financial misconduct.
- At least 2 accounting experts with a higher diploma for a private enterprise.
- With two or more shareholders, at least 3/5 are accounting experts, executives and senior staff.
Documents to Prepare
The government record lists the following for a first application:
- Certificate of Auditor
- Address Certification
- Evidence of Capital Contribution
- Certificate of Delegation from Accounting Parent Company
- Curriculum vitae
- Location Confirmation of Enterprise
- Photograph of the Managing Director
- Court clearance
- Request Letter
- Education Certificate
- Membership Card or Certificate of Membership to Professional Accountants Organization
- Certificate of Appointment of Responsible Person in Lao PDR from the Parent Company
- Employment Certificate (in Accountants and/or Auditors)
- Identification Card or Passport
- Family Registration Book
- Business Operation Report of the Parent Company
- Contract of Incorporation
- Company's Regulations
- Feasibility study
- Power of Attorney
The authority may ask for more, and foreign documents may need translation or notarization.
Fees and Timing
| Service (kip) | Certificate (kip) | Application (kip) | Total (kip) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First issue | 0 | 500,000 | 0 | 500,000 |
The record cites Article 8.1 of Presidential Ordinance 003/PO.
Counted from receipt of the application from the Industry and Commerce sector. Listed time: 10 days.
NED now cites Ordinance 002/PO (2021) for registration fees, so confirm the current amount here too.
Legal Basis
| Instrument | Number | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Law on Independent Audit | 51/NA | 22 Jul 2014 |
| Presidential Ordinance on Fees and Service Fees | 003/PO | 26 Dec 2012 |
AQQOUNT Guidance
The record also says the director or responsible shareholder must be authorized as an auditor by the Ministry of Finance within 30 days of licensing and registration, so plan for that step.
See all Professional Services licenses, or open the official record: License to Operate Auditing Enterprise.