Singapore

The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is the national authority regulating business registration, accounting, public accountants, and corporate service providers (CSPs) in Singapore. ACRA was created on 1st April 2004 as a merger of the Registry of Companies and Businesses and the Public Accountants Board. The body operates as an essential statutory body under the Ministry of Finance. The authority plays a critical role as the gatekeeper of the nation's business environment by overseeing various business legislation such as the Companies Act 1967 and the Accountants Act 2004 [ACRA]. Through its centralized online filing framework known as BizFile+, ACRA ensures market transparency, enforces stringent anti-money laundering policies and beneficial ownership reporting guidelines, and sets financial reporting standards to maintain the credibility of Singapore as a global business center [ACRA].