The Zhitong Finance App learned that on November 11, the Ministry of Finance issued the “15th Five-Year Plan” for Accounting Reform and Development. Among them, it is proposed to severely crack down on financial fraud. Strictly implement laws and regulations such as the Accounting Law, consolidate all types of principal responsibilities, and establish a responsibility system with clear rights and responsibilities. Focus on important industries and key areas of the national economy and people's livelihood to continuously carry out quality inspections of accounting information, and seriously investigate and punish financial fraud with the goal of “clearing stocks and curbing growth”. Strictly crack down on fictitious economic operations, fraudulent profit whitewash statements, etc., prepare false financial and accounting reports, dig deeper into the chain of fraud, investigate and punish third parties cooperating with fraud in accordance with the law, and speed up the clearance of fraudulent stocks. Insist on moving the threshold forward and preventing problems before they occur, improve normalized monitoring and early warning mechanisms, use big data and informatization methods to improve supervision capabilities, and curb the increase in fraud at the source. Investigating and punishing serious illegal acts and cases of a bad nature is used as a starting point, and the units involved and those responsible are held to account in accordance with the law. Strengthen disclosure of law enforcement information and press publicity, clear channels for public supervision and public opinion supervision, publish accounting information quality inspection announcements and typical cases, continue to play the role of “interpreting the law on a case-by-case basis”, push units to effectively implement the unified national accounting system, and improve internal accounting supervision mechanisms and internal control systems.
The original text is as follows:
Notice on Issuing the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan for Accounting Reform and Development”
Finance departments (bureaus) of each province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government, and planned separate municipalities; the Finance Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; the Financial Asset Management Department of the Central Administration; the Financial Management Department of the State Administration; the Finance Bureau of the Logistics and Support Department of the Central Military Commission; local supervisory bureaus of the Ministry of Finance; relevant units:
In order to improve the level of accounting work, improve the quality of accounting information, and promote accounting work to better serve high-quality economic and social development, in accordance with the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China”, the “15th Five-Year Plan” of the financial “15th Five-Year Plan”, etc., has now been issued to you. Please implement it carefully.
Ministry of Finance
October 23, 2026
The Fifteenth Five-Year Plan for Accounting Reform and Development
Accounting is an important part of economic management. It is the foundation for the operation of a market economy, macroeconomic governance, and high-level opening-up to the outside world. It plays an important role in optimizing resource allocation, maintaining economic order, and smoothing the national economic cycle. In order to improve the level of accounting work, improve the quality of accounting information, and promote accounting work to better serve high-quality economic and social development, this plan was formulated in accordance with the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China”, and the “15th Five-Year Plan” of finance.
I. Development environment
(1) Main results during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period.
During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China's accounting reform and development achieved positive results. The main goals and tasks of the “14th Five-Year Plan” of accounting were basically completed, the fields and functions of accounting services for economic and social development continued to expand, and capacity building and role were continuously enhanced.
The establishment of the rule of law in accounting is progressing steadily. The “Accounting Law of the People's Republic of China” (hereinafter referred to as the Accounting Law) was amended and significant progress was made in revising the “Certified Public Accountants Law of the People's Republic of China” (hereinafter referred to as the Certified Public Accountants Law). Accounting supervision continues to be strengthened, and the effects of cracking down on financial fraud “clearing stocks and curbing growth” are initially showing. The construction of accounting integrity is being further promoted. The 4th National Accounting Knowledge Contest was successfully held. Accounting and auditing standards continue to be improved. Establish and improve a closed-loop working mechanism for “formulating and perfecting - guiding implementation - strengthening supervision” of accounting and auditing standards. Standardize the accounting processing of enterprise data resources, etc., publish an industry accounting manual for the first time, carry out an analysis of the implementation of enterprise accounting standards, and form a compilation of enterprise accounting standards, a compilation of application guidelines, and typical cases. Standardize government accounting treatment of cultural relics resources, local government debt, etc., revise accounting systems for private non-profit organizations and trade union accounting systems, improve accounting standards for funds such as occupational pension funds and social insurance funds, and standardize cost accounting for industry products. Standardize rural accounting. Issued 39 audit standards, including risk assessments, and various practical guidelines such as bank letters. Publish a batch of explanations of corporate accounting, government accounting standards, implementation questions and answers, etc., to increase practical guidance. The accounting function continues to be enriched and expanded. The construction of a unified national sustainable disclosure standard system has been fully launched, and basic guidelines, climate standards, and certification standards have been issued one after another. The internal control reporting and evaluation work of administrative institutions has progressed steadily, and positive progress has been made in internal control construction in key industries; internal control standards for enterprises have been effectively implemented in listed companies, state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises. The application of management accounting continues to deepen. The digital transformation of accounting has achieved remarkable results. Accounting informatization work standards, basic functions and service specifications of accounting software have been revised and introduced, electronic certificate accounting data standards have been continuously improved and promoted and applied, and pilot work on accounting data standards to enhance the credit of small and micro enterprises continues to deepen. A series of certified public accountant audit data standards were issued and implemented, and the digital development of bank letters accelerated. Code verification of audit reports has been promoted nationwide, and the accounting service industry has fully implemented the application of electronic certificate issuance. An informatization platform for accounting management work was completed and put into use. Accounting team building and theoretical research are constantly being strengthened. The number of accounting talents has grown steadily, the accounting talent evaluation system is more complete, the content of continuing education is more scientific and reasonable, the training mechanism for high-end accountants has been improved, and a doctorate degree in accounting has been successfully established. The construction and development of the National Accounting Institute is being vigorously promoted. The construction of an accounting academic exchange platform, a new professional think tank, and a first-class academic position has been continuously strengthened. Development of standards in the accounting service industry. The “Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Further Regulating the Financial Audit Order and Promoting the Healthy Development of the Certified Public Accountants Industry” (Guowanfa (2021) No. 30) was issued. Improve systems such as filing, supervision and inspection, and punishment of loss of trust for accounting firms engaged in securities services, strengthen integrated management of accounting firms and the construction of a basic standard system, and improve mechanisms such as comprehensive evaluation, self-inspection and self-correction reports. The level of standardization in the agency bookkeeping industry continues to improve. Participating in the international governance of accounting has achieved new breakthroughs. More than 30 Chinese representatives were successfully elected or re-elected as representatives of many important international institutions in the field of accounting, and participated in the formulation of international standards in the field of accounting in a comprehensive and multi-level manner. The Beijing office of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation was established and operated. International convergence and mutual recognition of accounting and auditing standards continue to advance. Regional and multilateral accounting international exchanges and cooperation continue to be strengthened.
(2) The new situation and new requirements during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period.
During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, China's development was in a period where strategic opportunities, risks and challenges coexisted, and uncertainties and unpredictable factors increased. Accounting work faced a new situation and new requirements.
Building a strong domestic market has given accounting work a new mission. A strong domestic market is the strategic foundation of Chinese-style modernization. To build a strong domestic market, establish a unified national market, deepen the market-based reform of factors, and build a high-standard market system, it is necessary to further strengthen the construction and implementation of a unified national accounting system and related standards, standardize the accounting treatment of various factors, promote the efficient circulation of various factors, improve the efficiency of factor allocation, and fully stimulate social creativity and market vitality.
Strengthen talent support for modernization and shape new advantages in accounting work. As the Chinese modernization drive progresses further, the characteristics and role of human resources as the primary resource for economic and social development have become more obvious. We must deeply understand the important role of talents in economic and social development from a strategic perspective, vigorously promote the deep integration of accounting talent development with economic and social development, effectively utilize the value of accounting talents, solve reform problems and create a new development situation with a team of high-quality accountants.
Building a modern industrial system stimulates new momentum in accounting work. The service industry is an important part of the modern industrial system and is related to the overall modernization drive. As a high-end productive service industry, the accounting service industry must continuously improve the quality of accounting and audit services, continuously expand diversified value-added service fields, accelerate the deep integration of new technology and the industry, extend to specialization and the upper end of the value chain, and continue to strengthen, expand, refine and specialize.
The technological revolution and industrial transformation have given birth to new opportunities for accounting jobs. Currently, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation represented by artificial intelligence is accelerating breakthroughs, spawning new industries, new models, and new momentum. Accounting work must firmly grasp the general trend of digitalization, networking, and intelligence, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of digital accounting intelligence, and promote the innovation and development of accounting management models and value creation methods.
Improve the macroeconomic governance system and put forward new requirements for accounting work. Improving the macroeconomic governance system is an important guarantee for high-quality development. Accounting provides basic information for macroeconomic governance such as finance. It is necessary to further improve the quality of accounting information, consolidate the accounting responsibilities of all parties, strengthen accounting supervision, strengthen joint departmental supervision, continue to maintain a high-pressure stance against financial fraud, and effectively maintain financial law and market economy order.
Expanding a high level of opening-up to the outside world opens up a new situation in accounting work. As a basic rule in the field of international commerce, accounting standards are an important field of interest games among countries, and they are also an important part of China's participation in the reform and construction of the global governance system. We must participate fully and deeply in the international governance of accounting, promote accounting development, safeguard national interests, and contribute Chinese wisdom through open cooperation.
Establish an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social science to clarify the new tasks of accounting work. Accelerate the construction of a philosophical and social science subject system, academic system, and discourse system with Chinese characteristics, and place higher demands on promoting intellectual innovation, theoretical innovation, and methodological innovation in the field of accounting. It is necessary to combine Chinese accounting practices to speed up the construction of an accounting knowledge system with identifiable concepts and original theory as the backbone to support the development of accounting reform.
At the same time, there are still shortcomings and weaknesses in the field of accounting. The construction of some standard systems has failed to keep up with the needs of practical development. The enforcement of the accounting legal system needs to be strengthened, the fight against financial fraud still requires continuous efforts and treatment of both the symptoms and root causes. The high-level accounting talent pool is still insufficient, the ability of professional accounting institutions to serve national construction needs to be improved, the level of digital accounting intelligence needs to be improved, and the effectiveness of participation in international accounting governance needs to be continuously enhanced. The role of accounting theory in leading the development of practice is insufficient. Accounting work should actively adapt to the new situation and requirements, consolidate and expand advantages, break down bottlenecks and constraints, reinforce shortcomings and weaknesses, and strive to create a new situation in the development of the accounting industry.
II. General Requirements
(1) Guiding ideology.
Adhere to Xi Jinping's ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era as the guide, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress and the 20th Plenary Session of the CPC, earnestly implement the Fourth Plenary Session, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, coordinate high-quality development and a high level of safety, anchor the goal of building a Chinese characteristic and internationally leading accounting system, the accounting talent team as the core force, and the accounting service industry as professional support, accounting supervision as a strong gripper, information technology application as the key engine, and effective means to participate in international accounting governance. The accounting knowledge system is supported as a foundation, giving full play to the advantages of the accounting management system, enriching the advantages of human resources, opening up and cooperation to the outside world, comprehensively improving the quality of accounting information, better serving high-quality economic and social development, and contributing to the comprehensive promotion of the construction of a strong nation and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.
(2) Basic principles.
Adhere to the overall leadership of the Party. Always adhere to the Party's overall leadership of the accounting industry, and use the Party's innovative theories to guide accounting work in the new era. Resolutely uphold the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralize unified leadership, resolutely implement the Party Central Committee's major decisions and arrangements, place the development of the accounting business in planning and promotion of the overall economic and social development situation and financial reform and development, and give full play to the fundamental role of accounting in serving economic and social development and scientific financial management.
Adhere to the people first. Adhere to the people-centered idea of development, protect the public interest of society according to law as the starting point and foothold, adhere to the scientific and democratic work philosophy, summarize experiences from people's creative practices, better perform accounting functions, comprehensively improve the quality of accounting information, and promote optimal allocation of resources and social fairness and justice.
Stay problem-oriented. Focus on outstanding issues and obvious shortcomings in accounting reform and development, new problems encountered in accounting practice, hot issues of widespread public concern, and major issues in international changes, identify entry points and focus points, and drive the overall rise in the level of accounting work through key breakthroughs.
Adhere to the system concept. Strengthen overall planning around the development goals of the accounting industry, grasp the overall and local, current and long-term, macro and micro, open and autonomous relationships, effectively coordinate all aspects of policy formulation, implementation, and supervision, organically integrate various resources such as policies, talents, technology, data, etc., and promote all key tasks of accounting reform and development in an integrated manner.
Adhere to integrity and innovation. Grasp the rules of accounting work, adhere to the culture of accounting integrity, and strengthen the basic functions of accounting. Keep up with the trend of technological and industrial transformation, insist on developing new quality productivity according to local conditions, focus on key areas and key links, accelerate innovation in accounting systems and exploration of accounting practices, and continuously enhance the momentum for the development of the accounting industry.
(3) Main objectives.
The foundation of the accounting rule of law continues to be consolidated. The accounting rule of law system is more complete, standard systems in the fields of corporate accounting, government accounting, sustainable disclosure, internal control, management accounting, and certified public accountant audit are more scientific and perfect, the authority and execution of the unified national accounting system is constantly being enhanced, the quality of accounting information is further improved, accounting legal guarantees are more solid, accounting legal responsibilities are more clear, and the accounting legal environment continues to be optimized.
Accountancy talent support is stronger. The accounting talent structure has been continuously optimized, the strength has been steadily improved, the regional layout is more reasonable, and the international competitiveness of accounting talents has increased markedly. The mechanisms for identifying, nurturing, managing, using and retaining talents have been further improved and perfected, and the appeal to outstanding talents continues to grow.
The accounting services industry is developing with high quality and efficiency. Party building has led the continuous improvement of the governance efficiency of the certified public accountant industry. Standardization, standardization, branding, digital intelligence, and internationalization of the certified public accountant industry continue to advance, market competitiveness and international competitiveness continue to increase, forming a number of internationally influential accounting firms, and the overall improvement of the ability to serve national construction. The agency bookkeeping industry is developing in a standardized and orderly manner, the number of high-quality institutions continues to increase, and the quality of practice continues to improve.
The role of accounting supervision is better played. The accounting supervision system has been improved, and the working mechanism to combat financial fraud has been further improved. Continued efforts have been made to supervise key areas and rectify outstanding issues, and accuracy and effectiveness have been continuously improved to accelerate the clearance of financial fraud stocks and effectively curb the increase.
The level of digital intelligence in accounting continues to improve. A standardized, safe, controllable, intelligent and efficient digital accounting system has basically been established. Accounting audit work and the level of digital intelligence management in the accounting industry have been significantly strengthened. The role of digital accounting intelligence in improving the quality and management level of accounting information, promoting sustainable development, and empowering accounting supervision and industry management has been fully demonstrated.
The contribution of accounting to international governance has increased markedly. China's representation and influence in international accounting governance continues to grow. Its leading role in formulating relevant international standards and multilateral and bilateral exchanges and cooperation has become more prominent. Its role and contribution to strengthening international accounting governance have been further enhanced, and the achievements of mutual recognition of the equivalence of accounting and auditing standards have been continuously consolidated and expanded.
Innovative results have been achieved in the construction of accounting theory. Theoretical system construction, academic platform construction, new think tank construction, and academic position construction have been comprehensively strengthened. Accounting discipline systems, academic systems, and discourse systems based on China's national conditions, combined with Chinese practice, and highlighted Chinese characteristics have been basically established. The ability to innovate accounting theory and the effects of guiding practice have been significantly enhanced, and contributions to the construction of international accounting theory have been more prominent.
3. Promote the construction of a sound and perfect accounting rule of law system in an integrated manner
Adhere to the application of the rule of law mentality and rule of law approach, adhere to equal emphasis on system formulation and implementation, continue to consolidate and improve the closed-loop management working mechanism, establish and improve the accounting rule of law system, and give better play to the important role of the rule of law in solidifying roots, stabilizing expectations, and benefiting the long term.
(1) Continue to consolidate basic systems in the field of accounting.
Implement the requirements of the newly revised Certified Public Accountants Law, systematically promote the establishment of a management system for the certified public accountant industry, study and revise the licensing and supervision measures for accounting firms, registration measures for certified public accountants, and methods for inspecting the qualifications of certified public accountants, and study and improve relevant systems for the supervision and management of accounting firms engaged in key business areas such as auditing of listed companies, and information security management for accounting firms. Revise basic accounting work standards and accounting file management measures. Study and revise the financial department's implementation of accounting supervision measures.
(2) Strengthen the construction of an enterprise accounting standard system.
Further optimize and improve the corporate accounting standards system system, sort out the clear system framework, optimize the hierarchical content of the system, enhance the internal coordination of the system, and maintain the unity and authority of the system. Summarize the achievements, results and experience of enterprise accounting standards system construction, adhere to corporate accounting standards to serve the needs of China's economic development, and maintain continuous convergence with international financial reporting standards autonomously and dynamically.
Research and formulate or revise corporate accounting standards, interpretation of standards, accounting treatment regulations, etc., comprehensively sort out and update the enterprise accounting system, improve the corporate financial statement format, and update the compendium of enterprise accounting standards in due course. Establish an accounting manual system by industry to strengthen guidance on the application of enterprise accounting standards in specific industries. Strengthen theoretical research and practical exploration related to corporate accounting under new economies, new business formats, and new models such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, platform economy, financial innovation, green and low-carbon, etc., and prepare standardized technical reserves and practical guidance.
Improve mechanisms such as joint departmental meetings, technical contact group meetings, collection of implementation issues, and follow-up and analysis of implementation status. Conduct an analysis of the implementation of corporate accounting standards. In response to general and representative issues in the implementation of the standards, annual enterprise report work notices are issued regularly. Strengthen the follow-up and analysis of the implementation of the enterprise accounting standards system and the integration of accounting supervision, and improve the quality of implementation of the standard system.
(3) Improve government and non-profit organization accounting systems.
Research and formulate government revenue standards, standardize revenue accounting for government accounting entities, and serve the overall management of financial resources and budgets. Promote pilot work such as cost collection for public data resource governance and accounting of mining rights concessions, and study and formulate relevant accounting processing regulations to meet the development of the digital economy and the management needs of state-owned natural resources. Publish explanations of the standard system in due course on accounting issues in key areas such as the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, etc. Continue to improve the fund (fund) accounting system, revise relevant accounting systems for housing provident funds, social insurance funds, etc., and provide accounting system support for improving the social security system.
Improve departmental communication mechanisms, strengthen guidance on the application of government accounting standards systems in specific industries, and further promote the implementation of the government accounting standards system. Conduct research on the application of government accounting information to help strengthen industry management and internal management of administrative institutions.
(4) Promote the establishment of a sustainable disclosure standard system.
Formulate and publish guidelines for the application of climate standards in key industries, research and formulate a series of sustainable disclosure standards such as biodiversity and sustainable disclosure guidelines for small and medium-sized enterprises, establish and improve sustainable information certification business guidelines, and basically establish a unified national sustainable disclosure standard system. Establish a mechanism for dynamic revision of the guidelines to ensure the forward-looking and scientific nature of the guidelines. The National Environmental and Social Governance Standardization Technical Committee was established.
Actively promote the pilot implementation of published guidelines, and promote corporate disclosure capacity building in a step-by-step and orderly manner. Promote sustainable information disclosure, verification, evaluation, analysis and application to form a good development ecosystem, and give full play to the value role of sustainable information.
(5) Strengthen the construction of internal controls.
Revise the internal control standards of administrative institutions and the internal control standard system of enterprises, and improve internal control application guidelines for key industries, high-risk areas and special businesses. Research and formulate internal control standards for other types of units such as non-profit organizations, and further expand the coverage of the internal control standard system.
Organize and carry out pilot work to strengthen internal control and construction of administrative institutions, and actively serve scientific financial management. Improve and improve the working model of “promoting construction through reporting, promoting implementation through evaluation”, continue to prepare and report internal control reports and internal control evaluations of administrative institutions, and improve internal control reports and evaluation quality review mechanisms. Strengthen the overall coordination of internal control construction, gradually improve the internal control closed-loop management mechanism of “risk assessment - improvement of the system - effective implementation - regular evaluation - application of results” in administrative institutions, establish a linkage mechanism for lead transfer and rectification, and promote the application of internal control in the fields of inspection, discipline inspection, audit supervision, and financial supervision. Continue to promote listed companies and state-owned enterprises to strengthen internal control and effectively carry out internal control evaluations and audits. Firmly promote the implementation of internal enterprise control standards in private enterprises, financial enterprises, etc. Develop an internal control case library to give full play to the demonstration and warning role of cases.
(6) Comprehensively deepen the application of management accounting.
Formulate management accounting application guidelines such as financial sharing services, value chain management, and comprehensive budget management, and continuously improve the management accounting application guidance system. Research and formulate management accounting application guidelines for key industries, and deepen the application of management accounting tools and methods in different industries and organizations. Research and formulate evaluation methods for management accounting applications, and organize and carry out pilot evaluation projects for management accounting applications. Establish a mechanism for building a normalized management accounting case bank to promote the formation of a series of replicable and promotable model cases. Research and formulate guidelines for management accounting consulting services, and guide intermediary service agencies to strengthen control over the quality of management accounting consulting services. Give full play to the role of management accounting in driving units to achieve strategic planning, promote cost reduction, quality and efficiency, and improve the efficiency of allocating public resources, etc., so as to effectively enhance the overall effectiveness of management accounting applications.
(7) Strengthen the establishment of standards for the practice of certified public accountants.
Focus on improving the ability to identify financial fraud, expedite the revision of audit standards related to identifying and responding to financial fraud, issue audit practice guidelines for key industries and business areas in due course, increase practical guidance, standardize and guide certified public accountants to better deal with systematic fraud, third party cooperation, etc., and promote the improvement of the accounting information quality and internal governance level of business entities through high-quality professional services. Technical guidelines are issued for areas such as sustainable information authentication, digital intelligence, and technology-driven services. Strengthen research on audit-related standards in a digital intelligence environment. Continue to implement and improve the closed-loop management working mechanism, further strengthen the evaluation, approval and verification of the standards, and continuously enhance the scientific, relevant and operable nature of the standards.
(8) Promote the effective implementation of accounting laws and regulations.
Do a good job of publicizing and implementing the newly revised Certified Public Accountants Law, continue to strengthen publicity and training on the Accounting Law, the unified national accounting system, and the practice standards for certified public accountants, improve the legal popularization and publicity work mechanism, enrich formal content, and improve the effectiveness of publicity. Respond positively to practical concerns through timely publication of application cases, implementation Q&A (question and answer), and policy interpretation. Adhere to the combination of the rule of law and morality, strengthen the construction of professional ethics, and create a good atmosphere of law-abiding and honest.
4. Firmly promote the construction of a scientific and reasonable accounting talent system
Implement the new era talent power strategy, face the main economic battleground and industry development needs, improve the full-chain service management system for accounting talent education, training, evaluation, and use, build the main force of accounting talents and the main position for talent training, and strengthen support for high-quality talent development.
(1) Improve the quality of talent training.
In line with development trends such as digital and intelligent accounting transformation, business and financial integration, and sustainable information disclosure, we will establish a hierarchical accounting talent competency framework and accounting talent training system. Strengthen accounting integrity education and the cultivation of professionalism, carry out research on professional ethics standards for accountants under human-computer collaborative work methods in the digital intelligence era, and continue to promote the construction of accounting integrity. Enrich the content of continuing education, optimize continuing education methods, update the subject guidelines for continuing education for accountants, promote the construction of a continuing education platform for certified public accountants, strengthen the sharing of educational resources, and establish a lifelong education system with multi-party participation and universal access. Increase the reserve talent pool for certified public accountants and build a sustainable talent pool in the industry. Strengthen the training of grass-roots accountants in small and medium-sized enterprises, bookkeeping agencies, rural areas, etc.
(2) Strengthen the cultivation of high-end talents.
Improve the relevant system for training high-end accountants, strengthen the management of the entire project process, improve the training system for high-end accountants, optimize the “head and goose fly together” talent development model, and build a talent hierarchy that runs through the top and bottom and has different priorities. Focusing on the goal of cultivating political, professional, professional, complex, and international talents, we focus on cultivating enterprise, administrative, certified public accountants, academic, and international accountants who meet the requirements of high-quality economic and social development, providing professional strength for building a modern industrial system and expanding a high level of opening-up to the outside world.
(3) Improve the talent evaluation system.
Research and improve evaluation standards and evaluation systems for accounting personnel adapted to the development requirements of the new era. Improve the accounting professional and technical qualification examination system, and strengthen the organization and management of accounting qualification examinations and the review of senior and senior accountant titles. Continue to improve the certified public accountant examination system, further deepen the reform of the examination quality assurance system, promote examination content more in line with practice, and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of examination services. Further promote the interconnection between professional and technical qualifications in accounting and professional qualifications such as certified public accountants. Revise the national selection and commendation method for advanced accountants, organize the selection and commendation work, establish advanced models, and gather strength to forge ahead.
(4) Broaden channels for the use of talents.
Build a platform for the use of accounting talents, improve and improve the working mechanism for consulting experts on accounting reform and policy formulation, make good use of the expert strength of the accounting talent pool, support accounting talents to participate in research on key financial accounting topics, policy research formulation and publicity, accounting supervision and inspection, professional knowledge guidance, and act as off-campus mentors in colleges and universities. Employers should make good use of accounting talents and give full play to the professional advantages of accounting talents. Support and promote the active participation of international accountants in international accounting governance and the formulation of related international standards.
(5) Promote the construction of talent training platforms.
Further promote the high-quality development of the National Accounting Institute, focus on party building, central overall situation, strategic direction, and main business, enhance the college's core competitiveness, and build a main position for training high-end accounting talents, a new financial think tank, and a platform for international financial accounting exchanges and cooperation. Optimize the regional layout of accounting talents, enhance talent gathering and nurturing service functions, and create comparative advantages for unique talents.
5. Vigorously promote the construction of a high-quality and efficient accounting service system
Deepen the reform and opening up of the accounting services sector, adhere to the combination of capacity expansion and quality improvement, development and supervision coordination, continuously cultivate new growth points, promote specialization and extension of the value chain to the upper end of the accounting service industry, better promote the high-quality and efficient development of the accounting service industry, and ensure that it is both dynamic and healthy and orderly.
(1) Promote the high-quality development of the certified public accountant industry.
Strengthen the construction of a certified public accountant industry party. Improve and improve the “integrated” industry party building work management system, and continuously improve the Party's organizational coverage and the quality of the Party's work coverage. Strengthen the political and organizational functions of the party organization of accounting firms, continue to strengthen the “two teams” of party organization secretaries and party workers, give full play to the advantages of party building to prevent practice risks and improve the quality of audits. Adhere to party building and group building, promote the overall improvement of the work of industry united front groups, increase efforts to build representatives and young and female talents from outside the industry, and fully stimulate the ability of the certified public accountant industry to build a new class.
Support the industry to strengthen the construction of integrity, improve the quality of audits, expand the service network, raise the level of standardization and specialization, and consolidate the foundation for the healthy development of the industry. Build a group of large-scale accounting firms with strong comprehensive service capabilities, market credibility and influence, cultivate a group of specialized, special and new small and medium-sized accounting firms, and guide the formation of an industry pattern where large, medium, and small accounting firms each have their own characteristics and orderly competition. Explore new momentum and new areas of industry development, and expand the scope of business of accounting firms. Optimize the external development environment, promote the scientific and rational definition of the legal responsibilities of certified public accountants, continue to implement quality-oriented accountant selection and recruitment mechanisms, and guarantee the honest, objective, independent and impartial practice of certified public accountants in accordance with law. Explore the establishment of a practice responsibility assessment mechanism. Enhance the industry's occupational risk protection capabilities and improve the professional liability insurance mechanism of accounting firms. Raise the level of internal governance, promote accounting firms to improve internal governance and basic standard systems, and stimulate endogenous motivation. Further deepen the comprehensive evaluation work of accounting firms, establish and improve a credit evaluation system for the certified public accountant industry, and play a guiding role. Revise and improve the accounting firm partnership agreement model, promote the establishment of quality-oriented partner appointment, evaluation, allocation and exit mechanisms, and clarify the quality management responsibilities of partners at all levels. Promote the optimization of the remuneration distribution mechanism of accounting firms. Conduct industry cost research and evaluation, and implement comprehensive measures to thoroughly manage “internal rolling” competition. Continue to motivate certified public accountants to practice in good faith, promote a culture of integrity in the industry, and cultivate a foundation for honest practice. Strengthen the promotion of the certified public accountant industry and enhance the reputation of the industry. Optimize the management mechanism of accounting firms engaged in the audit business of listed companies and improve the quality of capital market audits. Establish and improve a complaint reporting system for the certified public accountant industry. In accordance with the law, normalized management of issues such as certified public accountants being registered to practice and practicing beyond their competency will be carried out, and punishment for illegal acts in the industry will be strengthened. The Association of Certified Public Accountants strengthens industry development planning and talent team building, strengthens industry self-regulation and supervision, and supports the improvement of industry service quality, expansion of business areas and application of innovative technology.
Further promote the internationalization of the certified public accountant industry. Promote the continuous integration of the certified public accountant industry into the construction of a comprehensive national overseas service system, and enhance brand influence and international recognition. Support accounting firms to participate in “manufacturing+service” exports, continuously improve one-stop and accompanying service capabilities, explore a new model of “going overseas with the same boat”, and provide more support for overseas trade and investment cooperation among Chinese enterprises.
(2) Promote the standardized and orderly development of the agency bookkeeping industry.
Promote the agency bookkeeping industry from scale growth and expansion to improving stock quality and efficiency, and continuously raise the level of specialization, standardization and rule of law. Revise agency bookkeeping management measures, study and improve the administrative examination and approval system for agent bookkeeping, strengthen filing management, and improve withdrawal mechanisms. Explore the formulation of practice quality standards for agency bookkeeping agencies, and guide and supervise agency bookkeeping agencies to strictly implement accounting laws and the unified national accounting system. Strengthen joint departmental supervision and normalize the control of illegal and irregularities in the agency bookkeeping industry. Research and formulate credit evaluation management measures for agency bookkeeping agencies, and guide more institutions to provide high-quality services. Strengthen research on expanding the capacity and quality of agency bookkeeping agencies, promote agency bookkeeping agencies to strengthen internal governance, focus on summarizing and promoting empirical practices that are standardized, replicable, have strong compliance capabilities and high quality of practice, and promote industry brand building. Encourage bookkeeping agencies to strengthen the application of artificial intelligence to better serve the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Revise the administrative regulations for agency bookkeeping industry associations to promote the strengthening of annual filing and internal governance. Strengthen business guidance for industry associations, guide industry associations to do a good job in member service, and give full play to the self-regulatory management role of industry associations.
6. Continue to promote the construction of a collaborative and efficient accounting supervision system
Fully implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to strengthen financial supervision and crack down on financial fraud, maintain a high-pressure stance and strict tone, adhere to “strong penetration, close loopholes, use heavy codes, and positive culture”, and punish financial fraud and audit irregularities according to law. Strengthen departmental coordination and coordination, improve the coordination mechanism between administrative law enforcement and criminal justice, continuously improve the quality of accounting information, and effectively maintain the order of the market economy.
(1) Strictly crack down on financial fraud.
Strictly implement laws and regulations such as the Accounting Law, consolidate all types of principal responsibilities, and establish a responsibility system with clear rights and responsibilities. Focus on important industries and key areas of the national economy and people's livelihood to continuously carry out quality inspections of accounting information, and seriously investigate and punish financial fraud with the goal of “clearing stocks and curbing growth”. Strictly crack down on fictitious economic operations, fraudulent profit whitewash statements, etc., prepare false financial and accounting reports, dig deeper into the chain of fraud, investigate and punish third parties cooperating with fraud in accordance with the law, and speed up the clearance of fraudulent stocks. Insist on moving the threshold forward and preventing problems before they occur, improve normalized monitoring and early warning mechanisms, use big data and informatization methods to improve supervision capabilities, and curb the increase in fraud at the source. Investigating and punishing serious illegal acts and cases of a bad nature is used as a starting point, and the units involved and those responsible are held to account in accordance with the law. Strengthen disclosure of law enforcement information and press publicity, clear channels for public supervision and public opinion supervision, publish accounting information quality inspection announcements and typical cases, continue to play the role of “interpreting the law on a case-by-case basis”, push units to effectively implement the unified national accounting system, and improve internal accounting supervision mechanisms and internal control systems.
(2) Improve the quality of certified public accountants' audit practices.
Adhere to problem orientation and goal orientation, comprehensively strengthen the quality supervision of the practice of accounting firms, and continuously improve the quality of audits. Improve normalized practice quality supervision and inspection mechanisms, focus on illegal and illegal acts such as lack of key audit procedures, falsification of audit evidence, and issuance of false reports, step up investigation and punishment efforts, and strengthen warning and deterrence. Continuously optimize the industry's self-regulatory supervision system, and increase penalties for violating independence requirements and serious flaws in the quality management system. Deepen coordination and linkage between administrative supervision and industry self-regulation supervision, improve joint supervision mechanisms, and form joint supervisory efforts. Promote accounting firms to effectively fulfill their main responsibility for practice supervision, strengthen quality management, strengthen risk awareness and bottom-line thinking, effectively play the role of auditing and verification, and maintain a clean market environment.
(3) Strengthen internal supervision within the unit.
Strictly implement the unit's internal accounting supervision main responsibility, and strengthen the unit's daily supervision of the unit's economic operations, financial management, and accounting practices. The unit establishes an internal accounting supervision mechanism and internal control system with clear authority and responsibility and strong restraint in line with its own reality, and clarifies the subject, scope, procedures, powers and responsibilities of internal supervision. The main person in charge of the unit fulfills the primary responsibility for the unit's accounting supervision work and is responsible for the authenticity and completeness of the unit's accounting work and accounting data. Agencies or personnel within the unit that clearly assume responsibility for accounting supervision are responsible for the daily supervision and inspection of the unit's economic operations, accounting behavior, and accounting data.
(4) Strengthen departmental coordination.
Establish and improve working mechanisms for information communication, lead transfer, collaborative supervision, and sharing of results among various supervisors to achieve organic integration and mutual coordination. Strengthen coordination and coordination with inspection agencies, discipline inspection and supervision agencies, etc., and promptly hand over and deal with corrupt acts such as embezzlement of duties, misappropriation of funds, and bribery by relevant personnel discovered through financial fraud in accordance with administrative authority. Establish and improve working mechanisms for administrative handling, punishment notifications, and transfer and handling of problem leads from departments such as finance, audit, state-owned assets supervision, taxation, financial supervision, securities supervision, etc., and strengthen coordination and coordination with public security and other departments to carry out three-dimensional administrative, civil, and criminal prosecution of financial fraud.
(5) Deepen cross-border regulatory cooperation.
Continue to promote accounting, audit and supervision exchanges and cooperation with relevant national and regional supervisory authorities, establish practical and flexible supervisory cooperation mechanisms, and jointly prevent and crack down on cross-border illegal activities. Strengthen regulatory exchanges and enforcement cooperation with overseas regulators, and urge domestic and foreign accounting firms to raise awareness of compliance and standardize their practice.
7. Systematically promote the construction of an intelligent accounting system that integrates innovation
Strengthen the top-level design for the development of digital accounting, comprehensively promote the construction of a standardized, safe, controllable, intelligent and efficient digital accounting system, actively promote the transformation and upgrading of digital accounting intelligence, and better serve the construction of a digital China.
(1) Establish and improve standards for accounting and audit data.
Coordinate planning, formulation and implementation of accounting data standards covering the input, processing and output of accounting information systems to lay the foundation for the transformation and upgrading of digital accounting intelligence. Continue to promote the application of electronic certificate accounting data standards, and steadily promote paperless automated processing of the entire process of receiving, reimbursing, recording and filing electronic accounting documents. Revise the general classification standards for enterprise accounting standards, explore and promote the construction of a single source system for corporate financial reporting, strengthen the sharing and sharing of accounting data, and promote capacity building for accounting data governance. Promote the application of credit-enhancing accounting data standards for small and micro enterprises to help solve the financing problems of small and micro enterprises with standardized accounting data. Research and formulate enterprise sustainability information classification standards to improve the level of digitalization of sustainable development reports. Improve the audit data standard system for certified public accountants, and actively promote the application of audit data standards in accounting software, audit operation software, etc.
(2) Promote the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the unit's accounting workload.
Promote the deep integration of digital intelligence technology with unit accounting work in conjunction with the actual situation of the unit, promote the application of information technology such as big data and artificial intelligence in accounting, management accounting, internal control, and sustainable information disclosure in a steady and orderly manner, and continuously improve the level of digital intelligence in unit accounting. Strengthen the integration of unit accounting information systems with business systems and file systems, strengthen the interconnection of unit accounting information systems with external information systems such as finance, taxation, banks, suppliers, customers, etc., build and optimize working models such as financial sharing services and cloud services, and promote the intensification, automation and intelligence of accounting work. Strengthen the intelligent and safe management of accounting numbers to ensure that units use modern information technology to carry out accounting work in accordance with the law and regulations. Research and formulate intelligent evaluation methods for accounting numbers, and organize and carry out pilot evaluation work. Strengthen the construction of a database of intelligent accounting cases, and give full play to the leading role of outstanding cases in the transformation of digital accounting intelligence.
(3) Promote the digital transformation and upgrading of certified public accountants' audits.
Focus on the deep application of digital intelligence technology in certified public accountant audits to enable the certified public accountant industry to expand capacity and improve quality. Continue to promote the digital development of bank correspondence, and promote the access of more banking financial institutions and accounting firms to the bank letter platform. Build a common industry technology sharing platform, build a relevant relationship search support platform, and achieve common software tools and industry knowledge base co-construction and sharing. Hierarchical classification promotes the application of information technology, promotes the construction of audit operations and internal management systems for accounting firms of different sizes according to local conditions, and strengthens research and development of intelligent audit tools. Strengthen research on issues related to the application of information technology such as artificial intelligence and assisting certified public accountants in their audit practice. Promote accounting firms to strengthen network and data security management to ensure autonomy, security and control, and clear responsibilities.
(4) Raise the level of intelligence in the number of accounting management tasks.
Continue to build and make good use of a unified supervisory platform for the certified public accountant industry. Promote the use of intelligent recognition technology in certified public accountant registration, qualification inspection, transfer, cancellation, and audit report reporting, etc., to strengthen the penetration of various types of information such as registration, qualification checks, practice, penalties, and cancellation. Continuously upgrade the audit report code verification function, promote real-name approval of audit reports, and expand application scenarios for audit report verification codes. Information technology such as big data and artificial intelligence is used to strengthen real-time dynamic monitoring and early warning, effectively identify abnormal practices and hidden risks, implement differentiated supervision measures, and promote the aggregation, integration, sharing and sharing of industry supervision data.
Continuously optimize the national agency bookkeeping industry supervision service platform. Further promote cross-platform and cross-departmental transmission of industry supervision service information, strengthen information sharing such as agent bookkeeping, approval and filing, and dynamically monitor and intelligently identify agencies that violate laws and regulations and operate abnormalities, effectively support joint departmental supervision and credit evaluation, etc., and enhance the effectiveness of off-site supervision.
Optimize and improve the unified service management platform for accountants across the country. Promote information-based management of the whole process of training high-end accountants, and establish databases of high-end accounting talents, accounting consulting experts, etc. Promote data sharing for accountants, and open up the data usage rights of accounting management agencies and relevant units at all levels in an orderly manner. Integrate various information such as accountant examinations, job titles, continuing education, rewards and punishments, etc., and strengthen the application of data statistics analysis.
Strengthen the construction of an accounting supervision and inspection platform, continuously improve the platform's data analysis and early warning functions, give full play to the platform's supporting role, empower accounting supervision with artificial intelligence, and continuously improve the effectiveness of supervision.
Upgrade and improve the internal control reporting system of administrative institutions, and normalize the management of internal control evaluations and internal control report preparation and reporting. Conduct intelligent analysis and review to further improve the standardization and convenience of internal control evaluation and internal control report preparation and reporting.
8. Actively promote the construction of an open and cooperative international accounting governance system
Fully participate in the formulation of international standards in the field of accounting, steadily promote mutual recognition of the equivalence of accounting and auditing standards and opening up the accounting service market to the outside world, continue to deepen and actively lead regional and multilateral exchanges and cooperation, and promote reform and development through opening-up.
(1) Full participation in the formulation of relevant international standards.
Fully participate in international mechanisms in the fields of corporate accounting, government accounting, sustainable disclosure, accounting informatization, certified public accountant audits, etc., actively support outstanding Chinese representatives to run for positions in international institutions, strengthen communication and coordination on major issues of international accounting governance reform in a timely manner, and participate deeply in governance strategy matters relating to the formulation of international financial reporting standards. Closely follow cutting-edge and hot issues in international standard-setting, combine China's national conditions and practices, effectively utilize the strengths of all sectors, and carry out in-depth high-quality theoretical and practical research. Make full use of all mechanisms of international accounting governance, strengthen communication, exchange and collaboration, participate in the formulation of international standards ahead, promptly put forward high-quality opinions and suggestions reflecting China's reality and representing China's demands, and promote relevant standards that are more in line with China's national conditions, meet China's practical needs, and reflect China's excellent accounting practices.
(2) Steadily promote mutual recognition of the equivalence of standards and opening up the accounting services market to the outside world.
In line with China's need to continue to deepen opening-up to the outside world and connectivity with overseas capital markets, continue to consolidate the results reached with Hong Kong, China, the European Union, Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, etc. in terms of mutual recognition of the equivalence of accounting and auditing standards, and steadily advance negotiations with other countries or regions on mutual recognition of the equivalence of accounting, auditing, and sustainable disclosure standards. Adapt to the two-way opening up of capital markets, strengthen supervision of accounting firms approved to audit companies listed in the Mainland in Hong Kong, and effectively serve China's high-level opening-up to the outside world. Adhering to the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, we benchmark high-standard international economic and trade rules, actively carry out open consultations and negotiations on the accounting service market, and promote the opening up of the accounting field to the outside world to achieve new results.
(3) Continue to deepen multilateral and bilateral accounting exchanges and cooperation.
Continue to optimize the exchange mechanism of the “Belt and Road” National Accounting Standards Cooperation Forum, actively expand and recruit new members, and continue to enhance the appeal and influence of the Cooperation Forum. Deeply participate in and lead the policy and technical work of regional mechanisms such as the Asia Pacific Accounting Standards Formulation Agencies Group, actively coordinate positions, and effectively enhance influence on the formulation of relevant international standards. The international accounting exchange and cooperation platform is widely used to fully promote the achievements of China's accounting standards system construction, accounting knowledge system and excellent accounting practices. Continue to consolidate communication mechanisms with accounting standard-setting agencies in the world's major economies, actively establish and expand foreign exchange mechanisms and platforms for management accounting, explore exchanges and cooperation with other countries or regions, actively develop partnerships in the field of global accounting, and continuously expand the circle of friends for international accounting exchanges and cooperation.
9. Accelerate the construction of an accounting knowledge system based on China's reality
Based on China's accounting reform and development practices, we draw on beneficial international experience, carry out forward-looking, strategic and reserve research, summarize understanding of regularity, refine iconic concepts, highlight original theories, promote innovative development of accounting theory, and better guide service practices.
(1) Strengthen research on key issues.
Establish a “1+5+N” accounting knowledge system, actively promote the innovation and development of basic accounting theory, and focus on summarizing, refining and improving accounting knowledge in 5 major fields, including financial accounting, management accounting, financial management, internal control, and auditing, as well as N specific directions such as government accounting, accounting supervision, and sustainable development. Guide experts and scholars to face the task requirements of Chinese-style modernization and the frontiers of economic and social development, determine key issues in different fields and dimensions of knowledge systems on topics such as accounting and national governance, accounting and macroeconomic operation, accounting and tax reform, accounting and sustainable development, and organize and carry out research work with high quality and efficiency. Strengthen research on digital accounting theory and related models and algorithms, and actively serve the application and transformation of digital intelligence accounting. Promote the collation of historical accounting materials and dissemination of accounting culture, strengthen research on accounting history and culture, and enrich the cultural content of the accounting knowledge system.
(2) Promote the construction of accounting disciplines.
Promote the construction of a professional system for accounting subjects and the reform of accounting education, and explore the organic link between master's and master's degree education in accounting majors. Promote the deep integration of industry, education, research and use, optimize professional curriculum, textbook construction, case development, and deepen the integration of expertise in multiple fields. Strengthen the construction of accounting teaching practice bases. Improve the quality of postgraduate education for accounting majors, and promote the steady expansion of the number of accounting doctorate degree awarding points and the scale of enrollment and training.
(3) Improve the working mechanism of academic research.
Continue to strengthen the ability to build an accounting knowledge system, and optimize the academic work organization system and academic platform support system. Strengthen the construction of academic activity platforms for the Accounting Society such as annual academic conferences, special discussions, and special forums, explore a flexible and efficient new professional think tank working mechanism, establish a national accounting academic association coordination mechanism, encourage local accounting societies to rely on colleges and universities to build high-quality think tank platforms with regional characteristics, give full play to the main role of various academic talents, and promote the formation of a “horizontal linkage and vertical integration” work pattern of national accounting research forces.
(4) Promote the transformation and application of research results.
Make full use of conference discussions, special lectures, high-end training, etc. to present the results of the accounting knowledge system. Further play the leading role of core journals such as “Accounting Research”, organize exchanges and cooperation among accounting journals, and promote the construction of a phalanx of journals with clear hierarchy, distinctive characteristics, and collaborative development. Systematically sort out outstanding achievements in the field of accounting, establish an accounting academic library, and serve teaching, scientific research and practical work. Accelerate the transformation and application of the results of the accounting knowledge system, and improve the accounting discourse system.
10. Safeguard Measures
(1) Strengthen organizational guarantees. The Ministry of Finance strengthens overall guidance, promptly studies and coordinates key issues of accounting reform and development, and actively promotes the implementation of key tasks to achieve results. Financial departments at all levels and relevant central authorities should pay attention to and strengthen accounting management and accounting supervision, improve institutional mechanisms, strengthen capacity building, and focus on team building and capacity improvement. At the same time, they should strengthen coordination and coordination, enhance joint efforts, and ensure effective implementation of plans. Encourage relevant sectors of society to actively participate in the implementation of the plan to form a work pattern guided by the government, multi-party participation, and collaborative promotion.
(2) Take good care of the implementation of tasks. The Ministry of Finance incorporates planning tasks and initiatives into key annual tasks on a rolling basis, implements account management, strengthens the division of responsibilities and supervises implementation, collaboratively promotes the construction of the seven major systems, and carries out timely mid-term evaluations and summary evaluations to ensure the solid implementation of planning tasks and initiatives. Local financial departments and relevant central authorities should implement detailed relevant tasks and measures according to local conditions based on development stages and comparative advantages.
(3) Strengthen publicity and guidance. The Ministry of Finance does a good job of interpreting the plan, works with relevant units to strengthen publicity and guidance, respond to social concerns in a timely manner, forge broad social consensus, and actively create a good atmosphere for the whole society to care about, support and promote the development of accounting reform.
This article was selected from the “Ministry of Finance” official website, Zhitong Finance Editor: Feng Qiuyi.