# Constitution and Duties of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)
## Constitution
The Central Government may, by notification, constitute a National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to provide for matters relating to accounting and auditing standards under the Companies Act, 2013.
## Duties of NFRA
NFRA has four core duties under Section 132:
### 1. Recommend Policies and Standards
Make recommendations to the Central Government on the formulation and laying down of accounting policies and standards AND auditing policies and standards for adoption by companies or class of companies or their auditors.
### 2. Monitor and Enforce Compliance
Monitor and enforce the compliance with:
Accounting standards; AND
Auditing standards
in such manner as may be prescribed.
### 3. Oversee Quality of Service
Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards, AND suggest measures required for improvement in quality of service and such other related matters as may be prescribed.
### 4. Perform Other Functions
Perform such other related functions as may be prescribed.
## Composition of NFRA
### Chairperson
Must be a person of eminence AND having expertise in:
Accountancy,
Auditing,
Finance, or
Law
Appointed by the Central Government
### Members
Not exceeding 15 members
Consisting of part-time AND full-time members as may be prescribed.
### Conditions Applicable to Chairperson and Members
Terms, conditions, and manner of appointment shall be such as may be prescribed.
Must make a declaration to the Central Government regarding:
No conflict of interest; AND
Lack of independence
in respect of their appointment.
Full-time chairperson/members shall NOT be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms):
During the course of their appointment; AND
For 2 years after ceasing to hold such appointment.
### Divisions and Executive Body
Each division of NFRA shall be presided over by the Chairperson OR a full-time Member authorised by the Chairperson.
There shall be an Executive Body of NFRA consisting of the Chairperson and full-time Members for efficient discharge of functions.
Cooling-off period for audit firm association: 2 years post-appointment.
Worked example
### Example 1
Example 1: Mr. X, a retired Chairperson of NFRA, accepts a consultancy assignment with a Big-4 audit firm 18 months after ceasing to hold his appointment. Is this permissible?
Answer: No. The Act prescribes a 2-year cooling-off period during which full-time Chairperson and Members shall NOT be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms) after ceasing to hold appointment. Accepting consultancy at 18 months violates this restriction.
### Example 2
Example 2: The Central Government proposes appointing Ms. Y, a renowned economist with no background in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law, as Chairperson of NFRA. Is this valid?
Answer: No. Section 132 requires the Chairperson to be a person of eminence AND having expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law. Mere eminence in economics (without one of the four listed disciplines) does not satisfy the requirement.
### Example 3
Example 3: NFRA has 16 members in addition to the Chairperson. Is this composition valid?
Answer: No. The Act caps the number of members at not exceeding 15 (in addition to the Chairperson). 16 members violates the statutory cap.
⚠️ Common exam mistakes
Confusing the role of NFRA — it is NOT the standard-setter; it makes recommendations to the Central Government, which prescribes standards.
Forgetting that the 15-member cap excludes the Chairperson — total can be Chairperson + 15.
Missing the 2-year cooling-off period for full-time members after ceasing to hold office.
Believing all members must be full-time — the Act permits both part-time and full-time members.
Forgetting that the Chairperson must have expertise specifically in one of the four areas: accountancy, auditing, finance, or law.
Bare-Act text Section 132 · The Companies Act, 2013 · click to expand
The Central Government may, by notification, constitute a National Financial Reporting Authority to provide for matters relating to accounting and auditing standards under this Act. Duties of NFRA: 1. Make recommendations to the Central Government on the formulation and laying down of accounting and auditing policies and standards for adoption by companies or class of companies or their auditors. 2. Monitor and enforce the compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards in such manner as may be prescribed. 3. Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards, and suggest measures required for improvement in quality of service and such other related matters as may be prescribed. 4. Perform such other related functions as maybe prescribed. Composition: 1. Chairperson, who shall be a person of eminence and having expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance or law to be appointed by the Central Government. 2. Such other members not exceeding 15, consisting of part-time and full-time members. The chairperson and members, who are in full-time employment with NFRA shall not be associated with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms) during the course of their appointment and two years after ceasing to hold such appointment.