Certification of Accountants and Auditors in the CIS: A Case Study of Armenia

Abstract

Part of the USAID Accounting Reform Project in Armenia involves reforming the certification process for accountants and auditors to meet international standards. Until Armenian certification becomes credible to the international investing community, it would be a stumbling block to capital investment, since the credibility of the financial statements of Armenian companies that were audited by Armenian accountants would lack credibility. This article discusses the certification and testing requirements recently adopted by the body responsible for testing and certification in Armenia as well as the thought process that went into the testing and certification process.

JEL Classification: J44, K31, L44, L84, M49