Licensing Requirements for Practicing Accounting Services and How to Apply

According to Article 5 of the Rules Regulating Accounting Services, Approved by the Decision of the Board of Directors of SOCPA (1/4) Dated 02-09-1443H, the License is Granted to the Applicant as Follows:
 

 1- Full-time Practitioner:

1. Must be a Saudi national.

2. Must have full legal capacity.

3. Must hold a university degree or a higher qualification in accounting or any other discipline within administrative sciences or its related fields, provided that the applicant has completed 21 credit hours in accounting or its related fields, or an equivalent as recognized by SOCPA.

4. Must pass the professional exams set by SOCPA.

5. Must be a registered professional member of SOCPA and have at least one year of experience in accounting or auditing, either in an accounting firm, a government entity, a joint-stock company, or another relevant organization. 

6. Must have good conduct and character, with no prior convictions involving a legal penalty or a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, unless rehabilitated. The applicant must also not have been dismissed from government service due to a disciplinary decision, unless three years have passed since that decision.
    

2- Part-time Practitioner:

1. Must meet the requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of this article.

2. The period of practicing the profession part-time must not exceed three years, including any previous periods allowed for part-time practice.

3. Must not provide accounting services to public companies, banks, finance companies, public authorities, and institutions.
   
   Note: Note: The professional exam mentioned in paragraph (D) refers to passing the "Accounting Technician" certification, a professional certificate offered by SOCPA. You can learn more about the Accounting Technician Certificate by clicking here.

    

   To apply for a license to practice accounting services, click here.
   
   To view the Governing Rules for Accounting Services, click here.
   
   To view the frequently asked questions, click here.