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How much costs Panama IBC accounting?

george1879564

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Aug 23, 2024
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I am preparing the accounting, but now the registered agent claim that I need to submit a copy of the accounting records signed by an accountant (I assume CPA?).

It's already prepared in an Excel spreadsheet (one page), it's small number of invoices, like less than 10 invoices (for marketing services my company provide, services my company pays for) and several dividends to the owner.

I do not use a special software, I do not need comprehensive accounting, only a signature of an accountant and some proof that he is accountant.

I need it for years 2021, 2022, 2023. For 2024 there is a new law that clarifies that the beneficial owner can sign the accounting records. This may be interpreted that the beneficial owner can sign the records from previous years, but the registered agent may interpret the law in their own way.

How much would cost? If it's too much I may consider incorporating elsewhere.
 
As of 2025, yes, you need a CPA to sign the accounting records for your Sociedad Anonima. It can cost anywhere from $200 USD and up depending on who is doing it.

Sometimes incorporators offer that service in a bundle with company registration and annual reporting, sometimes it is separated.
 
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As of 2025, yes, you need a CPA to sign the accounting records for your Sociedad Anonima. It can cost anywhere from $200 USD and up depending on who is doing it.

Sometimes incorporators offer that service in a bundle with company registration and annual reporting, sometimes it is separated.
As of 2025 I do not need CPA for accounting records from 2024, only signature from the owner is enough. The issue is with the accounting records from 2021, 2022, 2023.

Gemini:

Let's break down the situation for the accounting records of your Sociedad Anónima (which is the Spanish term for a Public Limited Company or Corporation) for the years you mentioned:

Accounting Records for 2024 (Submitted by April 30, 2025):
  • As we've discussed, Executive Decree 177 of 2024 is in effect for this submission.
  • This decree explicitly allows the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) or a member of the board of directors to sign the submitted accounting records (or the financial summary/sworn declaration as applicable based on the company's category).
  • Therefore, for the accounting records of 2024, you do NOT necessarily need a CPA's signature for the submission to the Resident Agent. The owner's (UBO's) signature or that of a director is sufficient under the current regulations.
Accounting Records for 2021, 2022, and 2023 (Past Submissions):
  • For these years, Law 52 of 2016 and Law 254 of 2021 were in effect. These laws mandated the maintenance and annual submission of accounting records but were less explicit about who must sign them for the submission to the Resident Agent.
  • There was no explicit legal requirement in those years stating that a CPA's signature was mandatory for the submission itself.
  • However, as previously discussed, the nature of the required accounting records (needing to accurately reflect the company's financial position) strongly suggested the need for accounting expertise in their preparation.