Norwegian Finanstilsynet has published guidance on the statutory continuing professional education obligation for state-authorised accountants under section 3-4 of the Accounting Services Act, replacing Circular 11/2012. The guidance confirms that the minimum requirement applies to every authorised accountant even if they are not carrying out authorisation-required accounting services, and that non-compliance can lead to withdrawal of authorisation unless it is voluntarily deposited. The statutory minimum is 80 documented hours over the previous three years, with at least 60 hours as “structured training” delivered by a professional organiser that can confirm actual participation. Up to 20 hours may consist of externally confirmed non-structured activities such as preparing teaching material, writing articles, technical committee work and exam marking. At least 40 hours must cover the core statutory subjects financial accounting, tax and VAT law, company law and bookkeeping, and all four areas must be represented. Training on sustainability and anti-money laundering rules can count where it is relevant to the statutory subject areas, while general software training and ordinary workplace discussions do not. Documentation must enable supervision, including a chronological overview (updated at least annually) that allocates activities to the statutory subject areas and distinguishes structured from non-structured training; consolidated course overviews from Regnskap Norge and the Norwegian Institute of Public Accountants are accepted as both the overview and participation evidence, while Finanstilsynet does not approve course providers or individual courses. The 80-hour requirement is assessed on a rolling basis at each year-end and must be met for the first time from the fourth year-end after authorisation. For new authorisation applications, continuing education is a qualification requirement at the time of application, including a requirement to evidence 80 hours where the last qualifying exam was taken more than five calendar years ago, and the guidance provides no exceptions for parental leave or illness in the application context. A one-year automatic extension of the look-back period applies where an authorised accountant has had at least six months of 100% parental leave in the last 12 months, and dispensations are available only on application in exceptional, unforeseen situations, typically serious illness, and are normally limited to up to one year with an expectation to catch up as soon as possible.

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