You have a foreign-invested company in Vietnam, and the accounting position is either vacant or held by someone who cannot legally sign off on the books. You need a Chief Accountant, and you need one fast—but the Vietnamese certification system has its own rules about who can hold the position, what documents prove eligibility, and how a foreigner qualifies. This guide walks through the entire process: the two routes to compliance, the exact documents Vietnamese law requires, a copyable cover letter, and the warnings that separate a clean appointment from a rejected file.
Who Can Be Appointed as Chief Accountant in Vietnam?
The Chief Accountant (Kế toán trưởng) holds one of the most legally consequential positions in a Vietnamese enterprise. Under Article 21 of the Accounting Law 2015 and its implementing Decree 174/2016/ND-CP, any candidate—Vietnamese or foreign—must meet three core standards before appointment:
- Legal capacity and professional ethics: The candidate must not fall into any category prohibited from practicing accounting under Article 19 of the Accounting Law 2015, including individuals under criminal investigation or serving sentences for economic crimes.
- Professional qualifications: At least an intermediate-level qualification in accounting, or an equivalent foreign certification recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance.
- Chief Accountant training certificate: A valid certificate of completion of a Chief Accountant training course, or a recognized foreign accounting/auditing credential that exempts the candidate from this requirement.
For foreign candidates specifically, Vietnamese law offers three alternative pathways to meet the professional certification requirement, as confirmed by specialized legal analysis of the Accounting Law 2015 framework:
- Possess a certificate of accounting expertise or auditing issued by a foreign organization recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance; or
- Hold a practicing certificate in accounting or auditing issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance; or
- Obtain a certificate of chief accountant training (Chứng chỉ bồi dưỡng kế toán trưởng).
Do You Need a Work Permit and Residency Status to Hold the Position?
Yes. A foreign Chief Accountant must hold a valid work permit issued by a competent Vietnamese authority. Additionally, the candidate must possess appropriate residency documentation—a visa, temporary residence card, or equivalent permit—allowing them to legally live and work in Vietnam. These documents must remain valid throughout their tenure as Chief Accountant.
If the candidate does not yet have a work permit, the company must complete the work permit application process before or in parallel with the Chief Accountant appointment. The appointment cannot be legally finalized if the work permit is missing or expired.
What Documents Are Required for the Appointment File?
Based on the requirements outlined in Decree 174/2016/ND-CP and standard practice at Vietnamese accounting units, prepare the following documents for the appointment of a foreign Chief Accountant:
- Resume (Lý lịch): Verified by the employer or a competent authority.
- Copies of academic and professional certificates: University degree, accounting/auditing certifications, and any foreign credentials recognized by the Ministry of Finance.
- Chief Accountant training certificate (Chứng chỉ bồi dưỡng kế toán trưởng): If the candidate is relying on the training route rather than a foreign credential exemption.
- Confirmation of practical experience (Form 01/GXN or Form 02/GXN): Documenting the required two years of accounting experience, with at least one year in Vietnam.
- Proposal for appointment (Văn bản đề nghị bổ nhiệm): Signed and stamped by the head of the accounting entity (usually the company's legal representative).
- Valid work permit: Issued by the provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.
- Residency documentation: Temporary residence card or valid visa.
Form 01/GXN and Form 02/GXN: Experience Verification Breakdown
The experience confirmation forms are the most common source of delay in foreign Chief Accountant appointments. Vietnamese authorities require explicit proof that the candidate meets both the total experience requirement and the Vietnam-specific experience requirement. Below is a structured template that can be adapted for submission.
FORM 01/GXN – CONFIRMATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE
(Issued under Decree 174/2016/ND-CP) SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness CONFIRMATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE To: [Name of the Receiving Accounting Entity or Appointment Authority] [Address] We, [Current or Previous Employer Name], hereby confirm that: 1. Mr./Ms. [Applicant Full Name]
2. Passport Number: [Passport Number]
3. Date of Birth: [dd/mm/yyyy]
4. Nationality: [Nationality] has been employed by our organization from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Position held: [Job Title, e.g., Senior Accountant / Finance Manager]
Department: [Department Name] Duties performed:
- [Describe primary accounting/finance duties in detail]
- [Include specific tasks related to financial reporting, tax compliance, auditing, or internal controls]
- [Specify the scope of responsibility, e.g., "supervised a team of X accountants" or "prepared monthly financial statements"] This experience is directly related to the field of finance, accounting, or auditing. Total duration of employment: [Number] years [Number] months
Of which, time spent working in Vietnam: [Number] years [Number] months We confirm that the above information is accurate and complete. [Signature and Seal of Employer Representative]
[Full Name of Signatory]
[Title]
[Date]FORM 02/GXN – CONFIRMATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE (ALTERNATIVE FORMAT)
For applicants providing self-declaration with supporting documents SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Hạnh phúc SELF-DECLARATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE I, [Applicant Full Name], Passport No. [Passport Number], hereby declare that I have the following professional work experience in the field of finance, accounting, or auditing: 1. Employer: [Company Name 1] Period: [Start Date] – [End Date] Position: [Job Title] Location: [City, Country] Duties: [Brief description of accounting/finance responsibilities] 2. Employer: [Company Name 2] Period: [Start Date] – [End Date] Position: [Job Title] Location: [City, Country] Duties: [Brief description of accounting/finance responsibilities] Total years of experience: [Number] years
Of which, experience in Vietnam: [Number] years I attach the following supporting documents:
- Employment contracts
- Social insurance records (if applicable)
- Salary slips or bank statements showing salary payments
- Reference letters from employers I declare that the above information is true and correct and accept full legal responsibility for this declaration. Date: [dd/mm/yyyy] [Applicant Signature]
[Applicant Full Name]Copyable Cover Letter for Chief Accountant Appointment
Submit this cover letter together with the appointment proposal and supporting documents to the relevant authority (usually the accounting entity's governing body or the appointing authority specified in the company's charter).
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Independence – Freedom – Hạnh phúc [City/Province], [Date] To: [Name of Appointing Authority / Board of Directors / General Director] [Company Name] [Company Address] LETTER OF PROPOSAL FOR APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF ACCOUNTANT Dear Sir/Madam, Pursuant to the Accounting Law 2015 and Decree 174/2016/ND-CP, [Company Name] hereby proposes the appointment of Mr./Ms. [Applicant Full Name] as Chief Accountant of the company. Candidate information:
- Full name: [Applicant Full Name]
- Passport Number: [Passport Number]
- Nationality: [Nationality]
- Current Position: [Current Job Title]
- Work Permit Number: [Work Permit Number]
- Temporary Residence Card Number: [TRC Number, if applicable] The candidate meets the following legal requirements: 1. Professional qualifications: [Describe degree and certification, e.g., "Bachelor of Accounting from [University], CPA certified by [Foreign Body]"].
2. Chief Accountant training: [State whether the candidate holds a Chief Accountant training certificate or is exempted based on a recognized foreign credential].
3. Practical experience: The candidate has [Number] years of accounting experience, including [Number] years in Vietnam.
4. Legal compliance: The candidate is not subject to any prohibition from practicing accounting under Article 19 of the Accounting Law 2015.
5. Residency and work authorization: The candidate holds a valid work permit and temporary residence card. Enclosed documents:
- Resume (verified)
- Copies of academic and professional certificates
- Form 01/GXN or Form 02/GXN (experience confirmation)
- Copy of work permit
- Copy of temporary residence card
- Chief Accountant training certificate (if applicable)
- Other supporting documents: [list] We respectfully request that you review this proposal and approve the appointment in accordance with applicable laws and the company's charter. For any clarification, please contact [Contact Person Name] at [Phone Number] or [Email Address]. Respectfully,
[Signature]
[Legal Representative Full Name]
[Title]
[Company Seal]How to Enroll in a Chief Accountant Training Course
If the foreign candidate does not hold a recognized foreign accounting credential that exempts them from training, they must complete a Chief Accountant training course and obtain the certificate. The new governing regulation is Circular No. 101/2026/TT-BTC, issued by the Ministry of Finance on July 15, 2026, and effective from January 1, 2027.
Eligibility for the training course:
- Professional qualifications in accounting as prescribed by accounting law.
- Minimum 2 years of practical work experience in finance, accounting, or auditing for candidates with a university degree or higher in those fields, counted from the date on the diploma.
- Minimum 3 years of practical work experience for candidates with an intermediate or college degree in finance, accounting, or auditing.
Exemption from the experience requirement: Candidates who hold an Auditor Certificate under the Law on Independent Auditing, an Accountant Certificate under the Law on Accounting, or an Accounting Expert Certificate / Accounting Certificate issued by a foreign organization recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance are not required to meet the practical work experience requirement above.
Required documents for course enrollment typically include:
- Application form for the training course (provided by the training institution).
- Confirmation of work experience (Form 01/GXN or a similar employer confirmation), unless exempted.
- Certified copy of university degree or higher.
- 4 recent photos (4x6 cm, taken within the last 6 months).
- Copy of passport or national ID.
Common Mistakes That Get Appointment Files Rejected
- Assuming a foreign CPA alone is sufficient. A foreign credential only exempts the candidate from the training course. The 2-year experience requirement—including at least 1 year in Vietnam—still applies.
- Missing the Vietnam-specific experience proof. Many foreign candidates have extensive accounting experience abroad but no documented Vietnam experience. Form 01/GXN must explicitly break down the time spent working in Vietnam.
- Appointing without a valid work permit. A foreign Chief Accountant must hold a valid work permit throughout their tenure. An expired permit creates a compliance gap that can invalidate financial statements.
- Using an expired Chief Accountant training certificate. The certificate is valid for 5 years for first-time appointment. If your candidate obtained the certificate more than 5 years ago and has not yet been appointed, they must retake the course.
- Failing to verify the candidate's legal eligibility. Check Article 19 of the Accounting Law 2015 for prohibited categories, including individuals under criminal investigation or those convicted of economic crimes.
- Skipping the appointment proposal. The proposal must be signed and stamped by the head of the accounting entity. A missing or improperly signed proposal delays the entire process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can a foreigner be appointed as Chief Accountant in Vietnam without a Chief Accountant training certificate?
Yes, if they hold an Accounting Expert Certificate or Accounting Certificate issued by a foreign organization recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance, or a practicing certificate in accounting or auditing issued by the Ministry of Finance. These credentials satisfy the certification requirement without requiring the domestic training course.
Q2: How much accounting experience does a foreign Chief Accountant need in Vietnam?
The candidate must have at least two years of practical accounting experience, of which at least one year must be in Vietnam.
Q3: How long is the Chief Accountant training certificate valid?
The certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance for the purpose of first-time appointment as Chief Accountant.
Q4: What is the legal basis for Chief Accountant appointment requirements in Vietnam?
The requirements are set out in Article 21 of the Accounting Law 2015 and Decree 174/2016/ND-CP. The training and certification of Chief Accountants is governed by Circular No. 101/2026/TT-BTC, effective from January 1, 2027.
Q5: Can a company operate without a Chief Accountant?
Enterprises are required to appoint a Chief Accountant, except for micro-enterprises as defined by law. If unable to appoint immediately, the company may assign a person in charge of accounting for a maximum of 12 months or engage an accounting service provider, after which a Chief Accountant must be appointed.