Tax

Hong Kong Statutory Audit

A statutory requirement

Every Hong Kong company must be audited annually by a CPA and taxed on the result, per the Companies Ordinance, subject to the latest legislation.

Hong Kong Statutory Audit
Hong Kong Statutory AuditCore services

Accounts Preparation & Financial Statements

  • 01
    Source-document organization

    We gather bank statements, contracts, invoices, and expense receipts and assemble them by year.

  • 02
    Ledger & sub-ledger posting

    We post the general, receivable, and payable ledgers so the books agree with the evidence.

  • 03
    Financial statements

    We prepare the balance sheet, income statement, and notes under Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards.

  • 04
    Inter-company & bank reconciliation

    We reconcile related-party balances and bank items and adjust outstanding entries.

  • 05
    Management pack

    We deliver an operating summary and KPIs for the directors' decisions.

Statutory Audit by Certified Public Accountant

  • 01
    Auditor appointment & planning

    We appoint a Hong Kong CPA and set the audit scope and timetable.

  • 02
    Controls & substantive testing

    We sample transactions to test internal controls and the authenticity of evidence.

  • 03
    Audit adjustments & confirmations

    We propose adjustments for differences and obtain bank and receivable confirmations.

  • 04
    Audit report issuance

    We issue the statutory audit report as the basis for tax filing and disclosure.

  • 05
    Audit communication

    We discuss findings with management and flag compliance matters.

Profits Tax Filing

  • 01
    Basis-period confirmation

    We determine the profit period by the financial year-end to define the taxable scope.

  • 02
    Assessable-profit computation

    We adjust depreciation and expenses per tax law to compute assessable profits.

  • 03
    Profits-tax return

    We file the profits-tax return with the Inland Revenue Department based on the audited results.

  • 04
    Loss-treatment note

    A loss year usually pays no profits tax but must still file; losses may be carried forward to offset future profits.

Annual Return

  • 01
    NAR1 preparation

    We update directors, shareholders, share capital, and address as of the anniversary.

  • 02
    Filing & archive

    We file the annual return with the Companies Registry on time and keep the receipt.

  • 03
    Significant-controllers register

    We maintain the SCR and support statutory inspection.

Business Registration Renewal

  • 01
    Expiry alert

    We remind you ahead of the BR renewal date to avoid lapse.

  • 02
    Renewal handling

    We renew the Business Registration Certificate and pay the fee.

  • 03
    Record synchronization

    We update the tax and bank records to match the renewed details.

Dormant & Special Cases

  • 01
    Dormant-company audit

    For non-trading companies we perform the inactive audit required by law.

  • 02
    First-tax-return readiness

    The first tax return usually arrives about 18 months after incorporation; we prepare early (actual timing may vary).

  • 03
    Late-filing & penalty remedy

    We help submit explanations and catch-up filings to reduce fines and director risk.

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Why a Hong Kong Audit?

A statutory requirement

Every Hong Kong company must be audited annually by a CPA and taxed on the result, per the Companies Ordinance, subject to the latest legislation.

A hard gate for banks and funding

Account maintenance, lending, and investor due diligence all demand the audit report; without it, money and credit suffer.

The cost of skipping is severe

Late or missing audits bring fines and hurt the director's personal credit and the company's existence; remediation costs far exceed annual maintenance.

What You Need to Know

Must every company be audited?

Almost. The Companies Ordinance requires an annual audit for every company, with narrow rules only for dormancy. Even non-trading companies need an inactive audit.

When is the first tax filing?

Usually about 18 months after incorporation you receive the first profits-tax return; the exact date follows the IRD's issuance. We advise organizing books from incorporation to avoid a last-minute rush.

What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know

What documents does the audit need?

Mainly bank statements, contracts, sales/purchase invoices, ledgers, and expense vouchers. The more complete, the faster and cheaper the audit.

What if I skip it?

You face fines, and the company's standing and the director's credit are affected; in serious cases there is prosecution or striking off. Subject to the latest policy.

Need help confirming your service scope?

Hong Kong Statutory Audit

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Get Started with a Hong Kong Audit in 3 Clear Steps

1

Organize the year's books and evidence

We collect bank statements, contracts, invoices, and ledgers, then prepare the accounts and financial statements.

2

Appoint a CPA to complete the audit

A Hong Kong CPA performs the audit, sends confirmations, and issues the statutory report.

3

File tax and complete the annual return

On the audited result we file profits tax, and in parallel submit the annual return and renew the Business Registration.

3 Things to Consider Before Choosing

01

How to set the financial year-end

It drives the filing rhythm and the first-return timing and should match business and tax planning.

02

Whether the books are clean and complete

Well-kept, fully evidenced books sharply cut audit duration and fees.

03

Whether there are mainland links

Cross-border transactions involve transfer pricing and dual-jurisdiction treatment and need early compliance planning.

Learn the audit obligations, or arrange an audit consultation directly?

Basic service (small companies)

Includes annual accounts, CPA audit, profits-tax filing, and the annual return — for simple Hong Kong companies without cross-border arrangements, keeping you compliant year by year.

Professional version (groups & cross-border structures)

Adds group consolidation, transfer-pricing documentation, cross-border tax planning, and two-jurisdiction coordination — for entities with mainland or overseas affiliates or multiple bodies, managed end-to-end by an advisor for both compliance and efficiency.

Hong Kong Audit FAQ

Can I skip the audit?+

No — it is statutory. Every Hong Kong company must be audited and taxed on the result each year, and even a non-trading company needs an inactive audit, subject to the latest legislation.

When do I file in year one?+

Usually about 18 months after incorporation you get the first return; the actual date follows the IRD. We suggest preparing the books early.

Does the audit take long?+

It depends on book completeness. With clean, current records it often finishes in weeks; missing vouchers extend it and raise cost.

Do I pay tax on a loss?+

Profits tax is levied on profit, so a loss year usually pays nothing but must still file; the loss can be carried forward to offset future profits, subject to the latest tax law.

Tell us your target location and current needs. We will help clarify the available scope of support.

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