Chinese Auditors Visit Society

By James L. Craig, Jr., CPA

A delegation of 20 auditors from Beijing, China, recently met with NYSSCPA staff members in New York City to learn about the CPA regulatory system in the United States. Xianhua Cheng, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Audit Office and president of the Beijing Certified Public Accountant Association, led the delegation that convened with Society Executive Director Louis Grumet, Counsel James Woehlke, and CPA Journal Editor-in-Chief James Craig.

The Chinese auditors focused their questions on the licensing of CPAs at the state level and the role of state societies and the AICPA in establishing ethics and professional standards.

Cheng, responding to questions about Chinese practices, reported that audits of state-owned businesses, governmental units, and privately owned businesses are not made public.

"Our auditors specialize in particular businesses and governmental units," she said, through a translator. "If someone is auditing a health facility or other type of governmental function, he or she tends to remain in that sector."