ICPAU Publishes Register of Accounting Firms, Cautions Against Quacks

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has published the latest register of accounting firms and practising accountants authorised to provide accountancy services in 2026.

The 2026 register comprises 275 licensed accounting firms. This reflects a 4 percent increase in the number of accounting firms compared to 2025. As stipulated in the Accountants Act, Cap. 294, it is unlawful for any individual to provide accountancy services without a valid Certificate of Practice or firm licence issued by ICPAU.  

Accountancy services include financial reporting, audit and assurance, tax advisory, financial management, cash flow management, risk management, transaction services, restructuring and insolvency, and general business advisory, offered on a consultancy basis. ICPAU’s Director of Standards and Regulation, CPA Charles Lutimba, cautioned members of the public against seeking audit services from unlicensed individuals who appear to offer a “cheaper” service.

Audit services from unlicensed individuals may appear cheaper, but in the long run, they are detrimental to the business, as such books of accounts are not only illegitimate, but also lack verifiable audit quality,” noted Lutimba. The ICPAU licensing framework is robust, with several considerations that check the standard of audit and accountancy work. 

Before a firm is issued a licence, it must meet defined criteria, including professional competence, compliance with professional standards, financial integrity, and a character assessment of the practising accountants, among other criteria. Furthermore, licenced firms are subjected to periodic audit quality reviews to ensure conformity with the International Standards on Auditing. 

The public can verify the authenticity of an accounting firm by referring to the list of firms published on the ICPAU website. The list of licensed accounting firms and practising accountants can be accessed on the Institute’s website:  https://icpauportal.com/index.php/external_portal/firms