Mr. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, revealed that the Department of Business Development's key mission is to supervise and promote accounting practices of over 976,000 businesses or individuals responsible for accounting, ensuring compliance with the Accounting Act B.E. 2543 (2000). These include registered partnerships, limited companies, public limited companies, juristic persons established under foreign laws conducting business in Thailand, and joint ventures under the Revenue Code. These businesses are required to employ accountants with qualifications as specified by the Director-General of the Department of Business Development to prepare accurate accounts, presenting the actual operating results and financial position of their businesses in accordance with accounting standards. Accountants, therefore, play a crucial role in the business sector. They not only help drive business compliance and adhere to good governance, but also assist businesses in obtaining accurate financial data that reflects their true business status. This information can be used for strategic analysis and strengthening their businesses.

The Department prioritizes the promotion and supervision of accountants. Currently, there are more than 78,000 companies nationwide to act in accordance with the law, have ethics and maintain professional standards, helping to create transparency for the business sector. By issuing the Department of Business Development Announcement on the Qualifications and Conditions of Being an Accountant B.E. 2568, which has been published in the Royal Gazette and has been effective from January 1, 2026 onwards. The essence of this Department Announcement has specified 6 qualifications for accountants: 1) Residing in Thailand 2) Having sufficient knowledge of the Thai language to perform the duties of an accountant 3) Having qualifications and not having characteristics prohibited from practicing as an accountant and must be a member of the Accounting Professions Council or registered with the Accounting Professions Council in accordance with the Accounting Professions Act B.E. 2547. Accountants must renew their membership of the Accounting Professions Council for the following year by December 31 of each year. To avoid disqualification as an accountant, the following requirements apply: 4) Never been sentenced to imprisonment for an offense under Section 39 (3) of the Accounting Profession Act B.E. 2547 (2004), unless the conviction has been final or the sentence has been completed within at least three years; 5) Possess the required accounting education qualifications; and 6) Pass the accounting system test (e-Accountant) according to the Department's criteria. This last qualification is a new addition to enhance the profession by measuring the knowledge of prospective accountants and building business confidence. Accountants who already held accountant status before January 1, 2026, are not required to take the system test.

Those who meet all six requirements can register as accountants with the Department. Upon receiving the registration, all accountants must strictly adhere to the accountancy conditions, including: 1) Notification/cancellation of the accounting business within 30 days of the date of accounting service or cancellation; 2) Confirmation of accounting service. This allows for a name to be included in the financial statement submission form of the Department of Business Development (S.B.C.3). This can be verified after the end of the fiscal year, but must be verified before the business submits its financial statements to the Department. 3) Accounting services are limited to no more than 100 financial statements per calendar year, up from the previous limit of 100. 4) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is required for no less than 12 hours per calendar year, with no less than 6 hours in accounting.

Furthermore, a minimum of 1 hour of ethics training is required. This new requirement aims to promote and increase ethical awareness among accountants. Details of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) must be submitted no later than December 31st of the year in which the training was completed, up from January 30th of the following year. 5) If an accountant no longer wishes to continue as an accountant, they must notify the Department of their termination. The date on which the accountant terminates their accountancy status with the Department will be considered the end of their accountancy status. This announcement will help create greater transparency and a positive accounting environment for accountants and the business sector. Furthermore, the Department has developed an accounting system. (e-Accountant) new version to comply with the Department's announcement and prepare to support accountants' use when the Department's announcement comes into effect. It also facilitates accountants to use it easily, reduces redundant data, saves time, and has a service to search and verify current accountant information, which emphasizes the Department's full digital service. For more information, please contact the Accounting Professional Development Promotion Division, Business Accounting Supervision Division, Department of Business Development, Tel. 0 2547 4395, 02 547 4408, Call Center 1570, or www.dbd.go.th

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