Updated to 22 August 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 415 of 2025)
Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003
No. 44 of 2003
Contents
Commencement
| Section | Commencement Date | Commencement Information |
|---|---|---|
| Ss. 1-3 | 6 April 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 3(a) |
| Ss. 4-8 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(a) |
| S. 9(1) | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(a) |
| S. 9(2)(a)-(k) | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(a) |
| S. 9(2)(l) | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| S. 9(2)(m), (n) | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(a) |
| S. 10 | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(b) |
| Ss. 11-14 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(b) |
| S. 15(1) | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(c) |
| S. 15(2) | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| S. 15(A), (B) | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(c) |
| S. 15(3)-(10) | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(c) |
| Ss. 16-22 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(d) |
| Ss. 23-25 | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(c) |
| S. 26 | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| Ss. 27, 28 | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(d) |
| S. 29(1)-(4) | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(e) |
| S. 29(5) | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| S. 29(6), (7) | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(e) |
| Ss. 30, 31 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(e) |
| S. 32 | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(f) |
| S. 33 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(e) |
| Ss. 34, 35 | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| S. 36 | 27 January 2009 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 13 of 2009), art. 2 |
| S. 37(a)-(c) | 1 March 2007 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 61 of 2007), art. 2 |
| S. 37(d) | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| S. 37(e) | 1 March 2007 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 61 of 2007), art. 2 |
| Ss. 38-40 | 28 April 2010 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 177 of 2010), art. 2 |
| Ss. 41-45 | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| S. 46 | 17 May 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 5(a) |
| S. 47 in so far as not already in operation | 1 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 686 of 2005), art. 3 |
| S. 47 in so far as it substitutes ss. (6) and (6A) for Companies Act 1963 (33/1963), s. 128(6) | 17 May 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 5(b)(i) |
| S. 47 in so far as it substitutes s. (6B) other than paragraph (b) for Companies Act 1963 (33/1963), s. 128(6) | 17 May 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 5(b)(ii) |
| S. 47 in so far as it substitutes s. (6C) for Companies Act 1963 (33/1963), s. 128(6) | 17 May 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 5(b)(iii) |
| Ss. 48-51 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(f) |
| S. 52 | 6 April 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 3(b) |
| S. 53(a) | 6 April 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 3(b) |
| S. 53(b) | 1 July 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 4 |
| S. 53(c)-(e) | 6 April 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 3(b) |
| Ss. 54-57 | 6 April 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 3(b) |
| S. 58 | 13 December 2005 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 791 of 2005), art. 2(g) |
| S. 59 | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 | |
| Sch. 1 | 3 February 2006 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 56 of 2006), art. 2(g) |
| Sch. 2 except in so far as it amends Companies Act 1963 (33/1963), ss. 115(6), 128(4), and Companies Act 1990 (33/1990), ss. 80(10), 161(6) | 6 April 2004 | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 132 of 2004), art. 3(c) |
| Sch. 2 in so far as it amends Companies Act 1963 (33/1963), ss. 115(6), 128(4), and Companies Act 1990 (33/1990), ss. 80(10), 161(6) | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 2 |
Amendments and other effects
| How Affected | Affecting Provision |
|---|---|
| Repealed with savers and transitional provisions | 38/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 4(1), 5, sch. 2 pt. 1, sch. 6 |
| Applied | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 105(1) |
| Constr. refs. “Pensions Board” | 25/1990, s. 9A (see |
| 20/2013, ss. 1(5), 26) | |
| Saver for functions under | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 80(3) |
| Trans. of cert. functns. under | S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1 |
| S. 4(1) definition of "recognised accountancy body" substituted | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 14(a) |
| S. 5 saver | 38/2014, ss. 1(2), 901 |
| S. 8(1)(c) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 9(2)(b)(i) application extended | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 82(2) |
| S. 9(2)(b)(ii) application extended | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 82(2) |
| S. 9(2)(c) application extended | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 86(2) |
| S. 9(2)(c) applied | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 42(2) |
| S. 9 (2)(l) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 9(2)(ma) par. ins. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 16 |
| S. 9(2)(mb) par. ins. | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 14(b) |
| S. 10(4) am. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 17(a)(iv) |
| S. 10(4)(a) am. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 17(a)(i) |
| S. 10(4)(b) am. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 17(a)(ii) |
| S. 10(4)(c) par. ins. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 17(a)(iii) |
| S. 10(4)(c) am. | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 79(a) |
| S. 10(5) subsec. ins. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 17(b) |
| S. 10(5)(a) am. | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 79(b)(i) |
| S. 10(5)(b) am. | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 79(b)(ii) |
| S. 10(5)(c) ins. | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 79(b)(iii) |
| S. 10(5)(d) ins. | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 79(b)(iii) |
| S. 11(1)(b) amended | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 81(a)(i) & (ii) |
| S. 13 saver | 38/2014, ss. 1(2), 910(2) |
| S. 14(9) trans. of cert. functns. under. | 10/2011, ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20 & Sch. 2 pt. 1 |
| S. 14A ins. | 46/2013, ss. 7(a), 11(5) |
| S. 15(1) saver | 38/2014, ss. 1(2), 919(1) |
| S. 16(1) am. | 46/2013, ss. 7(b), 11(5) |
| S. 22 applied | S.I. No. 277 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 77(2) |
| S.23 restrictions on investigation where enquiry under | S.I. No. 355 of 2009, regs. 4(3), 5(2) |
| S. 23 saver | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 49(6) |
| S. 23(13) subs. inserted | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 81(b) |
| S. 24 powers under extended to authority | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 121(3) |
| S. 24 applied with modifications | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 121(4) |
| S. 24 saver | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 49(6) |
| S. 24(7) amended | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 90(b) |
| S. 24(7) applied | S.I. No. 355 of 2009, reg. 15 |
| S. 24(7)(b) amended | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 90(a) |
| S. 24(7A) subs. inserted | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 90(c) |
| S. 24(11A) subsec. inserted | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 36 |
| S. 24(11B) subsec. inserted | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 36 |
| S. 24(11C) subsec. inserted | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 36 |
| S. 24(13) subs. inserted | S. I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 81(c) |
| S.26 am. | S.I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(2) |
| S. 26(3)(b) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(4)(a) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(4)(b) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(6) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(8) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(8)(a) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(10)(a) am. | S. I. No. 116 of 2005, reg. 9, sch. 1, pt. 5(1) |
| S. 26(12) am. | 23/2010, ss. 2, 15(2), sch. 2, pt. 2, item 1 |
| S. 27(1) saver | 38/2014, ss. 1(2), 937(6) |
| 45/2009, s. 4(2) | |
| S. 27(1) substit. | 45/2009, s. 4(1)(a) |
| S. 27(1) applied | S.I. No. 96 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 9 |
| S.I. No. 355 of 2009, reg. 3(1) | |
| S.I. No. 667 of 2007, reg. 3(1) | |
| S. 27(4) am. | 45/2009, s. 4(1)(b) |
| S. 28(1) applied | S.I. No. 97 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 8 |
| S.I. No. 96 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 9 | |
| S.I. No. 355 of 2009, reg. 8 | |
| S.I. No. 667 of 2007, reg. 9(1) | |
| S. 29 (6) applied | S.I. No. 667 of 2007, reg. 13(1) |
| S. 29(7) substit. | 41/2006, ss. 2(1), 18 |
| S. 31 restricted | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 52 |
| S. 31 applied | S.I. No. 97 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 4(17), 5(9), 15(4) |
| S.I. No. 96 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 4(12), 5(6) | |
| S.I. No. 355 of 2009, regs. 8(5), 20 | |
| S.I. No. 667 of 2007, reg. 4(12), 5(6) | |
| S.31 saver | S.I. No. 277 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 75(2) |
| S.31(1) applied | S.I. No. 97 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 20 |
| S.I. No. 355 of 2009, regs. 8, (2)(ii) | |
| S. 31(3)(a) amended | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 53(a) |
| S.31(3)(a) applied | S.I. No. 97 of 2012, regs. 1(3), 14 |
| S.I. No. 355 of 2009, reg. 14 | |
| S. 31(3)(b)(viii) am. | 23/2010, ss. 2, 15(2), sch. 2, pt. 2, item 2 |
| S. 31(3)(b)(xv) amended | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 53(b) |
| S. 31(3)(c) par. inserted | S.I. No. 220 of 2010, reg. 53(c) |
| S.37 (d) rep. | 12/2005, ss. 2 (1), 73 (3) |
| S. 48(1)(f) applied | S.I. No. 667 of 2007, reg. 12(1)(d)(ii) |
| Sch. 2. am. | 12/2005, ss. 2 (1), 73 (4) (a) (b) |
SIs made under the Act
| Section | SIs made under the Act |
|---|---|
| S. 28(4) | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Procedures Governing the Conduct of Section 24 Investigations) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 97 of 2012) |
| Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Procedures Governing the Conduct of Section 23 Enquiries) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 96 of 2012) | |
| Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Procedures Governing the Conduct of Section 24 Investigations) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 355 of 2009) | |
| Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Procedures Governing the Conduct of Section 23 Enquiries) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 667 of 2007) | |
| S. 48(1)(a) | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 57 of 2006) |
| S. 48(1)(i) | Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Persons) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 113 of 2011) |
| Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Bodies for Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 619 of 2006) |