How to Register with IRBA: Complete Auditors Guide 2026

The <a href='/glossary#irba'>Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors</a> (IRBA) is the statutory body regulating the <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/financial'>auditing</a> profession in South Africa. For auditors and audit firms seeking government contracts, IRBA registration is mandatory for performing statutory audits and essential for accessing the substantial public sector audit market—including outsourced audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), municipal audits, and public entity financial statement audits.

South Africa's public sector audit market represents significant opportunity for registered audit firms. The Auditor-General outsources portions of its audit portfolio to private audit firms, municipalities require external audit services, and public entities need statutory auditors. Whether you're an aspiring registered auditor or an audit firm seeking to expand into government work, this guide covers everything you need to know about <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> registration and compliance.

What is IRBA and Why Does It Matter?

<a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> was established under the <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/financial'>Auditing</a> Profession Act (Act 26 of 2005) to protect the public interest by regulating registered auditors and ensuring high-quality, independent auditing. Only IRBA-registered auditors can sign off on statutory audit reports for companies required to be audited under the Companies Act, public entities under the PFMA, and municipalities under the MFMA.

For government <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/supplies'>procurement</a> of audit services, <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> registration is the primary compliance verification:

• <strong>AGSA Outsourced Audits:</strong> Firms must be <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>-registered to receive outsourced audits from the Auditor-General
• <strong>Municipal Audits:</strong> Municipal councils appoint <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>-registered auditors for annual financial statement audits
• <strong>Public Entity Audits:</strong> Schedule 2 and 3 public entities require <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>-registered auditors
• <strong>SOE Audits:</strong> State-owned enterprises require <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>-registered audit firms
• <strong>Quality Assurance:</strong> <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> conducts quality reviews of audits—firms must demonstrate quality compliance

Who Needs IRBA Registration?

• <strong>Individual Auditors:</strong> CA(SA)s performing or signing statutory audit opinions
• <strong>Audit Firms:</strong> Firms providing statutory audit services must be <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>-registered as firms
• <strong>AGSA Contract Firms:</strong> Firms accepting outsourced audit work from the Auditor-General
• <strong>Partners in Audit Practices:</strong> All partners in audit firms who sign audit opinions
• <strong>Public Sector Audit Providers:</strong> Firms <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/financial'>auditing</a> municipalities, public entities, or government departments

IRBA Registration Requirements

Pathway to RA(SA) - Registered Auditor

1. <strong>Become CA(SA):</strong> Complete SAICA qualification (see <a href='/blog/how-to-join-saica'>SAICA Guide</a>)
2. <strong>Complete <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/education'>Training</a> Contract:</strong> 3-year SAICA training contract, including audit component
3. <strong>Gain Audit Experience:</strong> Minimum 18 months post-qualification audit experience
4. <strong>Pass <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> Examination:</strong> Audit Development Programme (ADP) or equivalent competence examination
5. <strong>Apply to <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>:</strong> Submit registration application with supporting documentation
6. <strong>Registration:</strong> Receive RA(SA) designation

Documentation Required

• Certified copy of ID document
• SAICA membership certificate showing CA(SA) designation
• Proof of audit experience (18+ months post-qualification)
• ADP or competence examination results
• Good standing confirmation from SAICA
• Declaration of criminal record status
• Completed <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> application forms

Audit Firm Registration

For a firm to provide statutory audit services, it must be registered with <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> as an audit firm:

• <strong>At Least One RA(SA):</strong> Firm must have at least one registered auditor as partner/director
• <strong>Quality Control System:</strong> Documented quality control procedures aligned with ISQC 1
• <strong>Professional Indemnity Insurance:</strong> Adequate PI cover for audit engagements
• <strong>Fidelity Cover:</strong> Insurance covering staff dishonesty
• <strong><a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> Inspections:</strong> Subject to periodic firm inspections by IRBA

IRBA Fees 2026

CPD Requirements

<a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> requires registered auditors to maintain competence through continuing professional development:

• <strong>Annual Requirement:</strong> 40 hours of verifiable CPD activities per year
• <strong>Ethics Component:</strong> Mandatory ethics <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/education'>training</a> hours
• <strong>Technical Updates:</strong> IFRS updates, <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/financial'>auditing</a> standards changes
• <strong>Declaration:</strong> Annual CPD declaration submitted with registration renewal
• <strong>3-Year Cycle:</strong> Detailed CPD returns submitted every 3 years
• <strong>Audit:</strong> <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> audits CPD compliance - maintain evidence of all activities

IRBA Quality Reviews

<a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> conducts periodic inspections of audit firms and individual auditors. For firms seeking government audit work, quality review outcomes are critical:

• <strong>Firm Inspections:</strong> Comprehensive review of firm's quality control policies and procedures
• <strong>Engagement Reviews:</strong> Review of specific audit engagement files
• <strong>Public Reporting:</strong> <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> publishes public reports on inspection findings
• <strong>Remedial Actions:</strong> Firms may be required to implement corrective actions
• <strong>AGSA Consideration:</strong> AGSA considers <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a> inspection outcomes when awarding outsourced audits

AGSA Outsourced Audit Programme

The Auditor-General of South Africa maintains a panel of accredited audit firms for outsourced audit work. To participate:

• Firm must be <a href='/glossary#irba'>IRBA</a>-registered with good standing
• Apply to AGSA for inclusion on outsourced panel
• Meet AGSA's specific quality and capacity requirements
• <a href='/glossary#b-bbee'>B-BBEE</a> credentials considered in allocation of work
• Subject to AGSA quality monitoring requirements

Related Resources

• <a href='/industries/financial'>Financial Services Industry Guide</a> - Complete overview
• <a href='/blog/how-to-join-saica'>SAICA Membership Guide</a> - CA(SA) pathway
• <a href='/blog/how-to-get-iso-9001-certification'>ISO 9001 Certification</a> - Quality management for audit firms
• <a href='/glossary'>SA Tendering Glossary</a> - Key <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/supplies'>procurement</a> terms