China has made impressive progress putting in place institutional framework for accounting, auditing,
and corporate financial reporting. Since the beginning of introducing market economic system, the
Chinese Government gave significant attention to modernizing accounting standards in line with
international good practice. China has been implementing a well-designed strategy for convergence of
Chinese Accounting Standards with International Financial Reporting Standards. Similar steps have
been taken with regard to the implementation of International Standards on Auditing. Under the
leadership of the Ministry of Finance, the Chinese strategy for improving the quality of accounting and
auditing standards and practices has evolved as a good practice model that may be followed by other
countries. With the high level of Government commitment to continue the path it has taken for full
convergence with international standards and good practice, the ROSC team believes that, with the
implementation of the recently developed roadmap, China expects to achieve its continuing and full
convergence with the international standards in 2012.
The objectives and focus of the ROSC A&A, as designed and implemented around the world, are to
report on the comparability of national accounting and auditing standards with international standards,
and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the institutional frameworks that underpin actual practices
of accounting and auditing in each county under review. Given the many good outcomes and
interesting lessons, the China ROSC A&A also provides a summary description of the processes, which
led to China’s achievements in this area.
Recognizing the fact that proper implementation of high-quality accounting standards depends on the
corporate accountants, practicing auditors, and relevant regulators, the Chinese authorities have focused
on strengthening capacity in these three areas. Building on past achievements, more efforts need to be
given to further enhance the capacity of the regulators in order to ensure compliance with applicable
standards more efficiently and effectively. The accountancy profession has grown, in line with
international good practice, under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. In order to keep pace
with China’s developmental needs, there is a need for further strengthening of the accountancy
profession throughout the country. Further improving and maintaining the quality of accounting and
auditing practices outside major cities of China poses an important challenge for the Chinese
authorities.
The report outlines interrelated, principle-based policy recommendations. These recommendations are
to build on the existing system in China and contribute to the international body of knowledge on the
process of bolstering the corporate financial reporting infrastructure.