Reform returns to address professional concerns

A year after its adoption, a law reforming the qualifications for liberal accountants in French Polynesia has returned to the legislative agenda. The December 2025 law aimed to modernize the profession and support small businesses but left about sixty accountants approved under the previous system in a precarious position.

New requirements challenge existing professionals

The reform mandates a bachelor's degree, three years of study, and five years of professional experience to practice as a liberal accountant. This has placed existing professionals, many of whom were approved under the 2018 regime, at risk of losing their authorization due to not meeting the new criteria.

Proposed fix aims to regularize past approvals

A draft law, currently under review by the economy committee, seeks to address these issues. It would allow those approved in 2018 to regularize their status by requesting a new automatic approval and presenting their previous qualifications. A decree from the cabinet of ministers must set the deadline, with a proposed cutoff of December 31, 2027.

Additional adjustments to the reform

The proposed changes also include exceptions for professionals with a high school diploma or higher, provided they have at least eight years of experience in Polynesia. The reform now recognizes years spent as a liberal accountant, not just salaried work, and outlines clearer conditions for honorability and professional insurance requirements.

Support and consensus among professionals

The Council of Economic and Social Cooperation (Cesec) expressed support for the proposed changes in August. A meeting in September revealed broad agreement among professionals on the need to regularize past approvals, although some differences remain on the conditions for entering the profession.

Officials seek to correct unintended consequences

Pauline Niva and Élise Vanaa, who initially supported the reform, now aim to address its unintended effects without challenging the overall goal of securing the profession. However, they face the challenge of revising a law that was meant to stabilize the field but has instead created new uncertainties for existing professionals.