Auditing of institutions under FinIA and CISA

FINMA uses regulatory auditors to extend its reach when supervising the following licence holders.
  • Managers of collective assets
  • Fund management companies
  • SICAVs and SICAFs
  • Limited partnerships for collective investment
  • Custodian banks
  • Representatives of foreign collective investment schemes

Risk analysis and audit strategy

Within six months after a licence holder’s financial year ends, audit firms submit an assessment of the institution’s risk situation as well as the derived audit strategy to FINMA electronically using a standardised form. 

If there are no increased risks for supervised institutions in FINMA supervisory category 5, a standard audit strategy is generally applied.Here, the frequency and depth of the audit to be performed are determined by the net risk exposure in the respective audit fields. For supervised institutions in FINMA supervisory category 4, FINMA exercises greater influence on the audit fields to be assessed by defining the audit strategy individually in a dialogue with the audit firm. For institutions in supervisory category 3, FINMA defines the audit strategy in consultation with the audit firm. In this case, the standard audit strategy is not applied.

Supervised institutions in FINMA supervisory category 5 with no heightened risk situation and without any significant weaknesses in their internal control system can apply for the audit frequency to be reduced. If the application is approved by FINMA, the audit firm will then only carry out regulatory on-site audits every two years. In years when no audit is carried out, no risk analysis or audit strategy is drawn up either.


Reporting

Once an audit firm has completed a regulatory audit of a licence holder, it communicates the findings and recommendations to FINMA in the form of a standardised report. The report also contains information about the conduct of the audit, a declaration of independence on the part of the audit firm, and further information in accordance with FINMA guidelines.

Audit mandataries

In exceptional circumstances, FINMA can appoint an audit mandatary. Potential candidates for this role are approved audit firms and independent third parties with relevant experience and specialist knowledge.

Documents

2013/03 FINMA-Rundschreiben "Prüfwesen" (06.12.2012)

Prüfwesen (gültig bis 31.12.2023)

Updated: 04.11.2020 Size: 1.05  MB
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2013/03 FINMA-Rundschreiben "Prüfwesen" (06.12.2012)

Prüfwesen (gültig ab 1.1.2024)

Updated: 07.12.2022 Size: 0.45  MB
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Annexes to Auditing Circular

Anhang 7: Standardprüfstrategie SICAV

Updated: 01.01.2022 Size: 0.01  MB
  • Language(s):
  • DE
  • FR
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Anhang 15: Risikoanalyse FINIG/KAG

Updated: 01.01.2022 Size: 0.03  MB
  • Language(s):
  • DE
  • FR
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Guidelines for Auditing Circular

Audit points
AMLA audit points Asset Management

Updated: 25.10.2024 Size: 0.15  MB
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Conduct rules FinSA (Suitability)

Updated: 04.05.2023 Size: 0.14  MB
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 Regulatory Audit Report

Audits for institutions seeking authorisation

Choice of the audit firm

The notification regarding the selection of an audit firm is made via the FINMA Survey and Application Platform (EHP). If your institution does not have access to the EHP, the form below can be used.

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