The Register of Recognized Auditors was updated on 6 March 2025.
The AOA starts the registration of auditors.
Michael Austin, who has served as the AOA's Chairman since its inception, retired effective 3 May 2022. Alister Mason, the present Deputy Chairman, will act as chairman.
Glen Wigney has been appointed as a director effective 22 November 2021 to serve through 3 May 2022.
Michael Austin has been reappointed as the Chairman and Alister Mason has been reappointed as a director, also assuming the role as Deputy Chairman.
Don Cockburn, who has served as the AOA's Managing Director since December 2013, has retired. From 1 October 2019, Paul Anderton assumed the role of acting Managing Director effective 1 October 2019.
PwC has withdrawn from the Register of Recognized Auditors; the effective date of the withdrawal was 10 May 2019.
Ernst & Young Ltd. was admitted to the Register of Recognized Auditors effective 15 March 2019.
BDO has withdrawn from the Register of Recognized Auditors; the effective date of the withdrawal was 22 January 2019.
Grant Thornton has withdrawn from the Register of Recognized Auditors; the effective date of the withdrawal was 5 June 2018.
The Rules effective 31 October 2017 replace those in effect from 1 December 2014 which have been amended to make provision for “designated companies” and “Authority specified companies” as defined in the Auditors Oversight Law (2017 Revision).
AOA becomes one of 22 signatories to the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators' Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation in the exchange of information between audit regulators around the world.
In March 2017, IFIAR released its fifth annual survey of findings identified by its Members in their individual inspections of audit firms affiliated with six large, international audit firm networks.
The Auditors Oversight Law, 2011 ("AOL") established the AOA and the scope of its operations. The Auditors Oversight (Amendment) Law, 2016 was gazetted on 5 December 2016, making some changes to the AOL.
On 25 July 2016, the EC extended the transitional period granted to the Cayman Islands oversight system for financial years starting from 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2018.
Sue Winspear replaces Garnet Harrison on the AOA Board in July 2016.
European Commission's process of assessing "equivalency" of the AOA oversight regime has begun
AOA completes first inspection
The AOA has gazetted the listing of EU "regulated" markets under Section 2 of the Auditors Oversight Law, 2011.
Regulations to the AOL and Rules have been published
Any auditor who audits the financial statements of a market traded or designated company must apply for registration unless the entity is an exempted entity. An auditor who audits the financial statements of an Authority specified company may apply for registration.
See this web page for more information [about us/who we oversee]
The Auditors Oversight Law (the "AOL") prohibits a person describing themselves as engaged in the audit of market traded or designated companies or holding themselves out to be so qualified unless they are a recognized auditor.
Under the AOL, an auditor is eligible to be entered on the register if -
The preceding two sections are informational summaries only and auditors should read the Auditors Oversight Law (2017 Revision).
Auditors applying for entry on the register of recognized auditors should complete and submit the application form and fee.
The application form can be found here [forms]. It is a Word document with editable fields to facilitate data entry. Section 7 of the form should list all persons that you want to be registered as "Responsible Individuals" regardless of whether or not those persons presently sign audit reports for audits under the remit of the Authority.
The AOA will deal with an application within 20 business days of receipt. After reviewing the application, the AOA may:
If the AOA refuses an application or imposes conditions upon an entry on the register, the Rules provide that the auditor may petition for a review of the AOA’s decision. The AOL also provides for an appeal to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands in certain circumstances.
Section 200 of the Rules deals with registration, withdrawal from registration and suspension of registration. Information about and a copy of the Rules can be found here: [Rules]
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the AOA’s Managing Director whose contact information can be found here [contact information]
