Opinion | Mainland auditing scheme threatens transparency standards
The dispute over mainland secrecy laws shows that investors are right to be concerned
It is time for us to review the almost two-year old rule allowing mainland auditors to audit Hong Kong-listed mainland companies.
When the stock exchange introduced the new rule in December 2010, many lawmakers and brokers expressed concern that investors would not be adequately protected. They especially feared our securities watchdog would not be able to gain access to audit papers held by mainland auditing firms and thus be unable to conduct investigations into instances of alleged misconduct.
Before such rules were introduced, mainland firms applying to list in the city had to appoint Hong Kong-based auditing firms, which under Hong Kong law must provide assistance and information to the Securities and Futures Commission when required. In a bid to appease concerns about the relaxation of auditing rules, the Ministry of Finance later signed a pact with the Hong Kong Financial Reporting Council, saying it would provide assistance in enforcement.
So has the new system worked? On August 27, the SFC filed a writ in the High Court seeking a court order requiring Ernst & Young to provide information regarding mainland firm Standard Water. The company applied to list in Hong Kong in November 2009 but Ernst & Young resigned as auditor in March 2010. Standard Water later withdrew its listing application.
Despite nine notices from the SFC, Ernst & Young failed to hand over its accounting working papers citing the fact that the relevant information is with its mainland joint venture Ernst & Young Hau Ming and subject to state secrecy laws. This meant they could not be taken out of the mainland.
The High Court on September 11 will rule on whether Ernst & Young can use mainland state secret laws as a reason for not providing requested audit papers to the regulator.
If the ruling confirms that the SFC cannot access these papers, the government should do an immediate review of the rules allowing mainland auditing firms like EY Hau Ming to audit Hong Kong listed companies or listing hopefuls.