1. What is the Auditor Registration Application System (ARAS)?
The Auditor Registration Application System (ARAS) is the online system used by AOB to facilitate the registration process.ARAS can be accessed at
https://esubmissions.seccom.com.my/aras. Please contact the ARAS helpline at
[email protected] or call 03-6204 8900 for assistance.
2. How do I obtain a username and password for ARAS?
For first time registration, you would need to fill a request form which is
downloadable here (pdf) or from the ARAS website and send it to AOB either by post or email at
[email protected], after which your username and password will be sent to you. Each audit firm will be given two (2) usernames and passwords.
3. What do I do if I forget my username and/or password?
Please call AOB General Line at 03-6204 8900 or email us at
[email protected] for assistance on this matter.
4. Who can be the lodgement officer and what is the role of the lodgement officer?
The lodgement officer need not be a registered auditor and can be any staff of the firm. The username and password to the system will be given to the designated lodgement officer. The lodgement officer will be in charge of all matters related to registration and be the main point of communication between the firm and AOB relating to ARAS.
5. How would I know when you have received my electronic application?
You will receive a notification via your ARAS inbox and your registered email once your electronic application has been submitted. You may also check the status of your application through the “Check Status” tab.
6. When will AOB process my registration application?
The AOB will only begin processing your application once your application submission is complete. An application submission is considered complete once the application has been submitted through ARAS and payment of registration fee has been made.You are advised to check your application status on the online system. All related notices, news, updates and emails will be available through the ARAS. All successful registrations will trigger an email notification which will be sent to your registered email address and ARAS inbox. AOB will also issue you a notification letter confirming your registration. For further information as to the registration criteria, process and forms, you are advised to refer to the AOB Handbook for Registration.
7. How long will AOB take to process the registration submission?
The online registration process will only begin after you have submitted a complete application AND payment of registration fee has been made. Once BOTH conditions are met, the registration process will take up to 14 working days.
8. Under what circumstances will the registration process take longer than 14 working days?
These circumstances include but are not limited to–
- Online forms submitted are incomplete or lack sufficient information / documents.
- Although forms have been submitted, payments of registration fees have not physically been received by AOB.
- You request to make amendments or updates to your submitted application.
Note: The 14 working days exclude the times when any of the above situations arise.
9. How secured and confidential are my personal information with the online registration system?
In AOB, we are fully guided by the requirements of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and our internal Confidential Policy. As such, we appreciate the trust you place in AOB, and we are committed to respecting your privacy and the security of your personal information. We will not share, sell or distribute your personal information to any third party, unless we are required to do so by a government entity or court.
10. Is there a deadline as to when the forms have to be submitted upon creating a lodgement profile?
There is no deadline.
11. Can I make any changes to the forms that I have submitted?
You are only allowed to make changes to your forms once you are successfully registered by using the ARAS “Update” function. Therefore, please ensure that all information is correct before submitting through ARAS.In the case where you need to amend the submitted application when the application is still in process (by AOB), you may request AOB to return your submission. Please note that, in this situation, the 14 working days will exclude the days where the returned application is with the ARAS external user. The processing days will resume once you return the application back to the AOB.
12. What format can my attached documents be in?
PDF, Microsoft Word and Excel, JPG.
13. Why the system will not allow me to submit only Form 1 or Form 2?
You will not be able to submit Form 2 if you have not completed at least one Form 1. Similarly, you will not be able to submit the first Form 1 application if Form 2 has not been completed.
14. I would like to submit an application for registration with the AOB for the first time. Am I able to do it manually?
No, you are not able to submit your registration manually. All applications for registration must be submitted online via ARAS at
https://esubmissions.seccom.com.my/aras.
15. How do I withdraw the application which I have submitted?
You may use the “Withdrawal” function in ARAS and you are required to declare the reason for the withdrawal. At the same time, you need to notify AOB in writing. AOB will send a notification email to acknowledge your withdrawal once your withdrawal application has been assessed.
16. I would like to withdraw my submitted application, why does the system not return my forms immediately?
For application or registration withdrawals, you need to notify AOB in writing. Please refer to the AOB Handbook for Registration for more information on Withdrawals.
17. Who do I contact if ARAS is down, or if I have technical enquiries regarding my online application such as being unable to save my form, proceed to next tab, etc.?
For all enquiries relating to ARAS, please call AOB General Line at 03-6204 8900 or email us at
[email protected].
18. Will I still be registered if my audit firm does not complete Part 2 of Form 2, i.e. Compliance with ISQM?
For a new registration, your firm is required to complete all parts of the Form 2 and make the necessary payment of registration fee before AOB will begin to process your application submission. Your firm is also required to present to the AOB about your firm and how it has complied with ISQM. For an existing registration, you may choose not to fill in this section if there is no change from your earlier submission.
19. How often do I need to update the information in ARAS?
As long as your registration remains valid, your firm is responsible to ensure timely update of information in ARAS. In this respect, you are required to inform AOB within 10 working days when there are any changes in particulars submitted in Form 1 (individual auditor) and Form 2 (firm) in ARAS. Your firm is also required to submit the Annual Declaration form via ARAS to AOB within seven (7) working days after 30 June of each calendar year.