Regulatory Alerts2025-05-14
Modification of Internal Audit Team Composition Requirements for Credit Rating Agencies
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has modified the Master Circular for Credit Rating Agencies to expand the eligible professional qualifications for internal audit teams. The revised requirements now permit Cost Accountants and holders of the Diploma in Information System Security Audit to serve alongside Chartered Accountants and Certified Information Systems Auditors. This regulatory update, effective immediately, aims to provide Credit Rating Agencies with a larger pool of eligible professionals to conduct internal audits.
Page 1 of 2 CIRCULAR SEBI/HO/DDHS/DDHS-PoD-2/P/CIR/2025/68 May 14, 2025 To, All Registered Credit Rating Agencies, Madam/ Sir, Sub: Composition of the Internal Audit team for CRAs
- Para 33.1.3 of the Master Circular for Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) dated May 16, 2024, in respect of requirements related to Internal Audit of CRAs, specifies as under: “The audit team must be composed of, at least, a Chartered Accountant (ACA/ FCA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor/ Diploma in Information Systems Auditor (CISA/ DISA).”
- In order to provide CRAs with a larger pool of eligible professionals with the relevant experience/ qualifications for conducting the internal audit, it has been decided to include Cost Accountant (ACMA/ FCMA) and Diploma in Information System Security Audit (DISSA) qualifications from the Institute of Cost Accounts of India (ICMAI) to the audit team. Accordingly, Para 33.1.3 of the Master Circular for CRAs stands modified as under: “The audit team must be composed of at least a Chartered Accountant (ACA/ FCA) or a Cost Accountant (ACMA/ FCMA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor/ Diploma in Information System Auditor/ Diploma in Information System Security Audit (CISA/ DISA/ DISSA).”
Page 2 of 2 3. The circular shall be applicable with immediate effect. 4. This circular is issued with the approval of competent authority, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 11 (1) of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 read with the provisions of Regulation 20 of SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999 to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market. 5. This Circular is available on the website of the Securities and Exchange Board of India at www.sebi.gov.in under the category “Legal” and under the drop down “Circulars”. Yours faithfully, Ritesh Nandwani Deputy General Manager Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities Tel No.022-2644-9696 Email ID - riteshn@sebi.gov.in