THE Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants has delayed forming a committee to study mutual recognition of overseas qualifications.
The delay resulted from the institute's merger with the China Association of Public Certified Auditors last year, which made it the sole regulator of the mainland's 120,000 accountants.
Acting general secretary, Ding Pingzhun said working groups, including a qualifications committee, would be formed after the merger was completed in April.
The institute had planned to establish the panel on qualifications last year.
It signed a memorandum with the Hong Kong Society of Accountants two years ago to explore the possibility of mutual recognition and practising rights.
Overseas candidates are allowed to sit for China's examination for certified public accountants (CPAs) but are barred from practising on the mainland.
There is a growing number of qualified overseas accountants since China opened the examination in 1994. More than 30 Hong Kong candidates have passed the examination, and some already are non-practising members of the institute.
