What is the deadline for completing audited accounts and sending them to members?
For a private company that is not a subsidiary of a public company, the financial statements, directors' report and auditor's report must be laid before members and sent to them within nine months after the year-end. Other companies have six months.
Section 431
- Private company that is not a subsidiary of a public company at any time in the year, and companies limited by guarantee: 9 months after the end of the accounting reference period.
- Other companies: 6 months after the end.
- First accounting period longer than 12 months: a special rule applies. For a private company the later of nine months after the first anniversary of incorporation and three months after the end of the period.
- The Court may allow a longer time.
Process
- Directors prepare the financial statements (s.379), directors' report (s.388) and approve them (ss.387, 391).
- The auditor reports (s.405) and signs (s.409).
- Copies are sent to members (s.430) and laid before the AGM (s.429), unless members use the written-resolution route (s.612(1)).
Other filings Annual return to the Registrar is a separate duty (NAR1), not covered here.
Interaction with tax The IRD deadline may come earlier or later; see the block extension answer.
Practical Work back from the nine-month limit: records ready, audit start, draft accounts, directors' approval and member circulation. Dormant companies are exempt (s.447).
Legal basis
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), ss.379, 387, 388, 391, 405, 409, 429, 430, 431, 612
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
- How long does an audit take in Hong Kong?There is no official duration. A small company with tidy records may take a few weeks from the day the auditor has everything, but late or missing records, stock, groups and queries add time. The legal limits are the filing and tax deadlines, not the audit length.
- Do I have to submit audited accounts with my profits tax return (BIR51)?Yes, for companies with gross income, IRD's circular says audited financial statements should be submitted with the return, except for dormant companies and certain companies from jurisdictions that do not require audit. The BIR51 asks for a certified copy and the auditor's practising certificate number.
- What is the profits tax return deadline and how does the block extension scheme work?For 2025/26, represented companies with December year-ends had until 31 August 2026 (2 October if e-filed), and January to March year-ends until 30 November 2026 (30 December if e-filed). April to November year-ends got no block extension. Check IRD for later years.
- Does every Hong Kong limited company need an audit?Yes. Every Hong Kong company must have an auditor for each financial year and its financial statements audited, whatever its size or whether it trades. The only company that escapes is a qualifying private company that has validly become dormant under s.5 and s.447 of the Companies Ordinance.
- Do I still need an audit if my company had no revenue or no business activity?Yes, unless the company has formally become dormant. Having no sales does not make a company dormant in law. If it had any expenses, bank charges or other recorded transactions, the audit duty continues for that year.