Under the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (AFRCO), the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) has the power to direct an investigation to be carried out in respect of possible misconduct committed by certified public accountants registered with the HKICPA, auditors registered with or recognized by the AFRC, registered responsible persons of a registered public interest entity (PIE) auditor, and non-PIE auditors; and initiate enquiries into possible non-compliance with regulatory requirements for financial reports of listed entities.​

Investigation and Compliance​ Department is responsible for carrying out the ​investigation and enquiry functions of the AFRC.  It may initiate an investigation and/or enquiry based on complaints from the public, whistleblower reports, referrals from other regulators, internal referrals arising from inspections of auditors or the AFRC’s own financial statements review programme.