Portuguese Accountant

Portuguese accountants fall under the authority of the Commission of Accounting Standards, the body that regulates accounting standards and issues procedures on the basis of international standards. An accountant in Portugal must prepare financial statements that are in accordance with the National Plan of Accounts. The Accounting Directives must also be taken into consideration by Portuguese accountants when it comes to fulfilling the objectives and principles of accounting. The profession of the accountants in Portugal has gone through several changes in time. Portuguese accountants used to be mainly focused on budgetary accounting, but the accounting and financial reform was based on the Chart of Accounts for Local Government, which was issued in 1999. Portuguese accountants must be registered with the Chamber of Chartered Accountants.

Admission

There are two types of qualifications for Portuguese accountants. One is called Tecnicos Oficiais de Contas, who are mainly advisors in terms of accounting and taxes. The other qualification is the Revisor Oficial de Contas, which is destined for Portuguese accountants who want to be auditors. Candidates for either of the two qualifications must hold a university diploma in business management, economics, mathematics or law. After passing an examination, they should also perform a one to three years of internship in the area they desire to work in order to obtain a certification for one of the two qualifications for accountants in Portugal. The certificate for Tecnicos Oficiais de Contas is awarded only by the Ordem dos Tecnicos Oficiais de Contas, while the certificate for auditors is received only from the Ordem dos Revisores Oficiais de Contas. The two professional organizations are the only ones in Portugal that can issue certificates for accountants in Portugal. The title of a Tecnico Oficial de Contas can also be earned by a graduate of polytechnics.

Activities

Portuguese accountants are mainly responsible for dealing with administrative procedures in different types of companies. In addition to that, bookkeeping is also part of a Portuguese accountant’s duties. An accountant in Portugal must also submit annually balance sheet and profit and loss statements on behalf of the company he works for. A chartered accountant in Portugal with a certificate of Tecnicos Oficiais de Contas must prepare company accounts and supervise the company’s accounting operations.  

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