The words and phrases - wherever they appear in the rules - shall have the meanings indicated opposite each of them unless the context requires otherwise:

Rules:The rules regulating accounting services.

Council:The Board of Directors of the Authority.

Minister:A minister from the members of the Council of Ministers appointed by an order from the Prime Minister based on a proposal from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

Authority:The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants.

Profession:The profession of providing accounting services.

License:A document issued by the Authority, allowing the holder to practice the profession, in accordance with the conditions and regulations specified in the rules.

Licensee:A natural person licensed to practice the profession.

Register:A database of licensees and all modifications or changes thereto.

The register is established at the authority and contains the following data:

1- The name of the licensee, their identification number, the date of their license to practice the profession, its number, the date of its expiration, and details of any previously issued licenses.

2- The name of the office or company through which the licensee practices the profession.

3- The names of the partners in the professional company, along with the data mentioned in paragraph (1) of this article for each partner.​
 

1- The practice of the profession is not permitted except after obtaining a license in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.

2- Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this article, a licensed accountant authorized to practice the profession of accounting and auditing in the Kingdom may provide accounting services without obtaining a special license for that purpose.​
 

1- The scope of the profession for the licensee is limited to providing the following:

• A- Everything related to the verification, measurement, and recording of financial information.

• B- Performing all necessary actions to prepare reports of all types, whether for the internal purposes of the entity or for external purposes.

• C- Preparing budget plans.

• D- Analyzing variances.

• E- Designing financial control systems.

2- The scope of the profession does not include providing audit services or other assurance services and other related services governed by auditing standards, or services related to zakat and taxes.
 

The license is granted to the license applicant according to the following:

• 1- Those dedicated to practicing the profession according to the following criteria:

  • A- Must be a Saudi national.

  • B- Must have full capacity.

  • C- Must hold a university degree or any higher qualification in accounting or any other specialization in one of the administrative sciences or its branches, provided that the license applicant has completed (twenty-one) hours in accounting or its branches, or what the authority deems equivalent.

  • D- Must pass the professional examinations specified by the authority.

  • E- Must be registered as a professional member in the authority, and must have at least one year of practical experience in accounting or auditing work in one of the accounting and auditing offices or companies, or in government entities, or joint-stock companies and other establishments.

  • F- Must have a good reputation and conduct, and must not have been convicted of a legal penalty or a crime that undermines trust or honor unless his status has been restored, and must not have been subject to a disciplinary decision of dismissal from government service unless three years have passed since the issuance of the disciplinary decision.

• 2- Those not dedicated to practicing the profession according to the following criteria:

• A license may be granted to a non-dedicated person according to the following:

  • A- The conditions mentioned in paragraph (1) of this article.

  • B- The duration of practicing the profession without dedication must not exceed (three) years, and this duration includes any period during which he was allowed to practice the profession without dedication.

  • C- Must not provide accounting services to joint-stock companies, banks, financing companies, and public authorities and institutions.
     

1- The license application shall be submitted according to the forms and procedures determined by the Authority.

2- The application must be complete with the data and attachments specified by the Authority.

3- When studying the application, the Authority shall take the necessary measures to verify the accuracy of the data provided by the license applicant, and the applicant must complete the required information within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days from the date of notification; otherwise, the application shall be considered null and void.

4- The Authority shall consider the application that fulfills all data and attachments, and the applicant is obligated to pay the financial fee for the license, as determined by the Council.

5- The Authority shall decide on the application within a period not exceeding fifteen (15) working days, and the license applicant has the right to appeal the rejection decision before the competent court.

6- The license shall be renewed based on a request submitted at least ninety (90) days before its expiration.

The licensee shall be granted a license to practice the profession after being registered in the registry, indicating the registration number and date. The license shall be considered valid for a period of (three) years.
 

The license shall be revoked in any of the following cases:

1- The failure to meet any of the conditions and regulations stipulated in Article (5) of the rules.

2- The request of the licensee for its cancellation, provided that there are no obligations related to clients or employees working for him, and the authority has the right to take necessary measures to verify this.

3- The death of the licensee.
 

The licensee must notify the Authority of any changes to their contact information within one month from the date of the change. Failure to notify within the specified period will result in the validity of the notification being based on the existing data held by the Authority.