COMPANIES ACT 2016 - expert 《2016 年公司法》专家

COMPANIES ACT 2016 - expert 《2016 年公司法》专家

COMPANIES ACT 2016  
“expert” includes engineer, valuer, accountant and any other person whose profession or reputation gives authority to a statement made by him;


An expert is a person who possesses specialised knowledge, professional qualifications, technical skills, or recognised experience in a particular field, such that his or her opinion or statement carries professional authority.

The Companies Act 2016 expressly includes engineers, valuers, and accountants as examples of experts. However, the definition is not exhaustive and extends to any person whose professional expertise or established reputation gives credibility and authority to a statement, report, opinion, or certification made by that person.


Who May Be Considered an Expert?
An expert may include, but is not limited to:
  • Engineer;
  • Valuer;
  • Accountant;
  • Auditor;
  • Architect;
  • Lawyer or legal practitioner;
  • Actuary;
  • Financial adviser;
  • Tax consultant;
  • Quantity surveyor;
  • Geologist;
  • Environmental consultant; or
  • Any other person whose professional qualifications, experience, or reputation provide authority for the opinion or statement given.

Role of an Expert
An expert may be engaged to provide independent professional opinions or reports on matters such as:
  • Valuation of company assets;
  • Financial reporting and accounting matters;
  • Business valuation;
  • Engineering or technical assessments;
  • Property valuation;
  • Tax advice;
  • Feasibility studies;
  • Due diligence reviews;
  • Corporate restructuring; and
  • Other specialised matters requiring professional expertise.

Practical Examples
Example 1 – Property Valuation
ABC Sdn. Bhd. intends to dispose of a commercial building.
A registered valuer prepares an independent valuation report to determine the property's market value.
The registered valuer is an expert within the meaning of the Companies Act 2016.

Example 2 – Financial Report
A company appoints a chartered accountant to prepare financial information for a proposed corporate exercise.
The accountant's professional opinion is regarded as an expert opinion because of the accountant's recognised qualifications and expertise.

Example 3 – Engineering Assessment
A manufacturing company engages a professional engineer to assess the structural condition of its factory before expansion.
The engineer's report constitutes an expert opinion due to the engineer's professional knowledge and qualifications.

Example 4 – Business Valuation
A company undergoing a merger appoints an independent valuation firm to determine the fair value of its shares.
The valuation report prepared by the qualified valuer is an expert report for the purposes of the transaction.

Responsibilities of an Expert
An expert is generally expected to:
  • Exercise reasonable professional skill and care;
  • Act independently and objectively;
  • Base opinions on sufficient facts and reliable information;
  • Prepare reports honestly and without material misrepresentation;
  • Comply with applicable professional standards and ethical requirements; and
  • Accept responsibility for the professional opinions expressed.

Compliance Note
Where the Companies Act 2016 requires or permits the use of an expert's report or opinion, companies should ensure that:
  • The expert possesses the appropriate qualifications, experience, or professional standing;
  • The report is prepared independently and professionally;
  • Any material assumptions are properly disclosed; and
  • The report complies with the relevant statutory and professional requirements.

Importance
The inclusion of experts under the Companies Act 2016 ensures that companies, shareholders, creditors, regulators, and the courts can rely on professional opinions when making important corporate decisions. Expert reports provide independent technical, financial, legal, or professional assessments that promote transparency, accuracy, and informed decision-making in corporate transactions and regulatory compliance.


《2016 年公司法》
“专家”(Expert) 包括工程师(Engineer)、估值师(Valuer)、会计师(Accountant),以及任何因其专业资格、专业知识、经验或声誉,而使其所发表的陈述、意见、报告或证明具有权威性的人士。
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专家(Expert) 是指在某一专业领域具备专业知识、专业资格、技术能力或公认经验的人士,其专业意见、报告、陈述或证明因其专业背景及社会公信力而具有权威性及可信度。
《2016 年公司法》明确列举工程师、估值师及会计师作为专家的例子,但该定义并非穷尽式(Exhaustive Definition)。
因此,凡因其专业资格、执业经验或行业声誉而使其意见具有专业权威的人士,均可被视为《2016 年公司法》所称的专家(Expert)。
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哪些人士可被视为专家?(Who May Be Considered an Expert?)
专家包括但不限于:

•    工程师(Engineer);
•    估值师(Valuer);
•    会计师(Accountant);
•    审计师(Auditor);
•    建筑师(Architect);
•    律师或法律执业者(Lawyer / Legal Practitioner);
•    精算师(Actuary);
•    财务顾问(Financial Adviser);
•    税务顾问(Tax Consultant);
•    工料测量师(Quantity Surveyor);
•    地质学家(Geologist);
•    环境顾问(Environmental Consultant);以及
•    任何因其专业资格、经验或行业声誉,而使其所发表的意见或陈述具有权威性的人士。
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专家的角色(Role of an Expert)
公司可委任专家,就以下事项提供独立及专业意见或报告,包括:

•    公司资产估值;
•    财务报告及会计事项;
•    企业估值;
•    工程或技术评估;
•    房地产估值;
•    税务咨询;
•    可行性研究(Feasibility Study);
•    尽职调查(Due Diligence Review);
•    企业重组(Corporate Restructuring);以及
•    其他需要专业知识判断的事项。
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实务示例(Practical Examples)
例子一:房地产估值(Property Valuation)

ABC Sdn. Bhd. 拟出售一栋商业楼宇。
公司委任一名*注册估值师(Registered Valuer)*编制独立估值报告,以评估该物业的市场价值。
该注册估值师属于《2016 年公司法》所称的专家(Expert)。
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例子二:财务报告(Financial Report)
某公司委任一名*特许会计师(Chartered Accountant)*为拟进行的企业交易编制财务资料。
由于该会计师具备认可的专业资格及丰富经验,其所发表的专业意见属于专家意见(Expert Opinion)。
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例子三:工程评估(Engineering Assessment)
某制造企业计划扩建厂房,并委任一名*专业工程师(Professional Engineer)*评估现有厂房结构是否适合扩建。
由于工程师具备专业资格及技术知识,其所出具的工程报告属于专家意见。
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例子四:企业估值(Business Valuation)
某公司进行企业合并(Merger)时,委任一家独立估值机构评估公司股份的公平价值(Fair Value)。
由合资格估值师编制的估值报告属于该交易中的专家报告(Expert Report)。
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专家的责任(Responsibilities of an Expert)
专家一般应当:

•    以合理的专业技能及谨慎态度履行职责;
•    保持独立及客观;
•    根据充分事实及可靠资料作出专业意见;
•    诚实编制报告,不作任何重大失实陈述;
•    遵守相关专业准则及职业道德规范;以及
•    对其所发表的专业意见承担责任。
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合规要求(Compliance Requirements)
凡《2016 年公司法》规定或允许采用专家意见或报告的情况下,公司应确保:
•    专家具备适当的专业资格、经验及行业地位;
•    专家报告独立、客观及专业地编制;
•    所有重大假设均已充分披露;以及
•    报告符合《2016 年公司法》及相关专业标准和法定要求。
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重要性(Importance)
《2016 年公司法》纳入*专家(Expert)*的定义,确保公司、股东、债权人、监管机构及法院,在处理重大企业事务时,能够依赖具有专业资格人士所提供的独立意见。
专家报告可提供:
•    客观独立的专业分析;
•    技术、财务、法律及估值等专业判断;
•    提高企业决策的准确性及可靠性;
•    加强企业交易及公司治理的透明度;以及
•    协助公司遵守《2016 年公司法》及其他相关法例的规定。  

专家制度是现代企业管理及监管体系的重要组成部分,对于企业融资、资产估值、公司重组、尽职调查、法定申报及各类商业交易均具有重要意义,有助于保障所有利益相关者的权益,并促进企业依法、透明及稳健经营。