Annual Audit and Compliance in China
Published: December 2018The start of a new year tends to be a hectic time for foreign companies in China. During this period, businesses must also begin to prepare their annual statutory audit – if they have not started to do so already. The answer to limiting exposure to these risks is internal control. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we walk foreign businesses through the annual audit and compliance process from start to finish. We begin by answering the common questions that foreign investors ask about annual audit in China, before offering a comprehensive step-by-step guide to completing the process. Finally, we offer six recommendations for businesses to better conduct annual audit and make the most out of the opportunity.
In this Issue:
- Annual Audit FAQs
- Step-by-Step Annual Audit Guide for JVs, WFOEs, FICEs, and ROs
- Annual Audit Checklist: Six Ways You Can Prepare
The start of a new year tends to be a hectic time for foreign companies in China. Businesses must renew their annual licenses and adapt to new laws and regulations that are coming into effect, all while managing the workflow interruptions of the holiday season and upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.
During this period, businesses must also begin to prepare their annual statutory audit – if they have not started to do so already. To meet the various deadlines scattered throughout the year, businesses need to begin the long and complicated process of financial reporting months in advance. If businesses fail to comply, they risk being hit with additional fines and penalties, and might not be able to remit their profits overseas.
Beyond meeting statutory requirements, however, the annual audit represents an opportunity for businesses to conduct a deep dive of their finances and internal operations. A comprehensive audit might reveal unexpected irregularities or suboptimal business practices, or discover eligibility for tax incentives that had not previously been captured.
In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we walk foreign businesses through the annual audit and compliance process from start to finish. We begin by answering the common questions that foreign investors ask about annual audit in China, before offering a comprehensive step-by-step guide to completing the process. Finally, we offer six recommendations for businesses to better conduct annual audit and make the most out of the opportunity.
We hope this magazine helps your business add value to its annual statutory audit and compliance reporting in China.