Commissaire aux comptes or approved statutory auditor: the difference
Both check the accounts, but they fall under different regimes. Here is how to tell them apart.
In short
The commissaire aux comptes supervises the accounts of certain, usually smaller, companies. The approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) is a regulated professional, supervised by the CSSF, who carries out the statutory audit where the law requires it.
Side by side
- Status. Commissaire: a mandate given by the shareholders. Auditor: a regulated profession with approval.
- Companies concerned. Commissaire: smaller companies that need not have their accounts audited. Auditor: companies above the legal thresholds and entities subject to a statutory audit.
- Report. Commissaire: report to the shareholders. Auditor: audit report on the accounts.
- Independence. In both cases the controller must be independent of the company.
Which one to choose?
It depends on the form, size and activity of the company. A company above the thresholds must use an approved auditor. We check with you before any appointment. See our statutory auditor mandates.
What eCORP does
eCORP accepts commissaire aux comptes mandates where the law allows it and it is independent. It does not carry out statutory audit: it introduces an approved auditor.
Frequently asked questions
Can one be manager and commissaire?
No. The controller must be independent of the company they supervise.
Does a commissaire replace an approved auditor?
Only where the law does not require a statutory audit for the company. Otherwise an approved auditor is needed.
Who supervises approved auditors?
The CSSF, Luxembourg's financial sector supervisory authority.
Let's talk about your company.
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