Recognition of UK Accounting Qualifications for Practice in Hong Kong in 2025 – The End

Starting June 2025, UK accountants and auditors will no longer be able to work directly in Hong Kong using only their UK licences. This change reflects Hong Kong’s tightening regulatory framework aimed at ensuring all practising accountants meet local standards and legal requirements.

HKICPA rules reinforcement

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) is the statutory body responsible for regulating the accounting profession in Hong Kong. While HKICPA has reciprocal recognition agreements with UK bodies such as ICAEW, these agreements do not allow UK-qualified professionals to practice independently without obtaining a Hong Kong practising certificate. To qualify, UK accountants must pass HKICPA’s local examinations covering business assurance, Hong Kong law, and taxation, and satisfy residency and practical experience requirements.

From June 2025, HKICPA’s practising certificate rules will be strictly enforced, requiring applicants to demonstrate at least 30 months of relevant accounting experience, including one year in Hong Kong under an authorised supervisor. Additionally, practising certificate holders must be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, meaning they must physically reside in Hong Kong for at least 180 days per year. These residency rules make it impossible to rely solely on a UK licence for remote or short-term work in Hong Kong.

A broader update

This regulatory tightening aligns with broader legislative updates in Hong Kong, including the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Minimum Tax for Multinational Enterprise Groups) Bill 2024, which took effect on June 6, 2025. The new tax legislation introduces global minimum tax rules, reflecting Hong Kong’s commitment to international tax standards and increasing the complexity of compliance for multinational enterprises and their auditors.

Furthermore, the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) oversees the registration of audit practitioners and issues practising certificates. The AFRC’s role ensures that only qualified professionals who meet local standards can sign audit reports in Hong Kong.

In conclusion, starting June 2025, UK accountants and auditors must obtain HKICPA membership, pass local exams, and fulfill residency and experience conditions to work legally in Hong Kong. Simply holding a UK licence will no longer suffice. Professionals planning to work in Hong Kong should engage early with HKICPA, prepare for the Qualification Programme exams, and align with local firms to meet these requirements.

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