(1) An individual holds an appropriate qualification, as required by section 1470(a), if he or she holds a qualification granted by a recognised accountancy body whose standards relating to training and qualifications for the approval of a person as a statutory auditor are not less than those specified in Schedule 19.

(2) In subsection (1), "qualification" means a qualification to undertake an audit of entity financial statements and group financial statements in so far as required by European Union law.

(3) A recognised accountancy body may exempt in writing a person who has passed a university or equivalent examination, or who holds a university degree or equivalent qualification, in one or more of the subjects referred to in the test of theoretical knowledge specified in Schedule 19 if the body is satisfied that the passing of that examination, or the holding of that university degree or equivalent qualification, renders it unnecessary for the person to undergo that test in so far as those subjects are concerned.

(4) The Supervisory Authority shall, at such times as it thinks it appropriate to do so, issue guidelines to recognised accountancy bodies as to the specific matters that should be given regard to in reaching a decision under subsection (3) whether or not to grant an exemption under that subsection to a person.