Can a director demand copies of the company's accounting records?
Yes. Directors may inspect the company's accounting records at any time without charge, and the company must let them copy the records and give copies free of charge if asked. A court can also authorise someone to inspect on a director's behalf.
Directors have strong statutory access to their company's books.
- Inspection (s.374): records must be open to inspection by the directors at all times, free of charge.
- Copies (s.375): the company must allow a director to copy the records during inspection and must give a copy without charge on request. A director who asks for hard copy gets hard copy; one who asks for electronic form gets an electronic copy in any format the company thinks fit, unless the records exist only on paper.
- Court help (s.378): a director can apply to the court for an order authorising another person, such as an accountant, to inspect the records on the director's behalf.
A director who fails to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with the copy rules commits an offence with a level 5 fine (HK$50,000) and a further HK$1,000 for each day the breach continues.
This right is useful when a bookkeeper or accountant is slow to hand over files, or when directors disagree. It applies to directors, not to ordinary shareholders, who have their own more limited rights under other parts of the Ordinance.
Legal basis
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), ss.374-375, 378
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting in Hong Kong?Bookkeeping is the day-to-day recording of transactions: sales, purchases, payments and receipts. Accounting uses those records to prepare financial statements, interpret results and support tax and audit work. In Hong Kong the law cares about both: the company must keep adequate records, and its directors must prepare financial statements from them.
- Is a Hong Kong company legally required to keep accounting records?Yes. Section 373 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) requires every company to keep accounting records that explain its transactions and show its financial position and performance at any time. Directors who fail to take all reasonable steps risk a fine of HK$300,000, and up to 12 months' jail if the failure is wilful.
- What must a Hong Kong company's accounting records contain?The law names two things: daily entries of all money received and spent, with what each was for, and a record of the company's assets and liabilities. Beyond that, the records must be sufficient to explain transactions and show the financial position accurately at any time.
- How long must a Hong Kong company keep its accounting records?Seven years. Under section 377 of the Companies Ordinance, a company must keep its accounting records for 7 years after the end of the financial year to which the last entry relates. The Inland Revenue Department separately requires business records to be kept at least 7 years after the transactions they relate to.
- What does section 51C of the Inland Revenue Ordinance require from my business?Anyone carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong must keep enough records, in English or Chinese, to work out assessable profits, and keep them for at least 7 years. Failing to do so without reasonable excuse can lead to a fine of up to HK$100,000.