On 30 April 2020, SCOPA in collaboration with the General Authority of Customs, held virtually a workshop to discuss "procedures and rules for implementing procedures agreed by the independent auditor in accordance with the relevant services standard 4400" with the participation of a number of representatives of the two agencies in addition to a number of certified accountants.
The workshop began with remarks made by His Excellency the Undersecretary of the General Authority of Customs for Revenue Fahad bin Mohammed Al Majid, in which he welcomed participants and expressed his appreciation, and discussed "procedures and rules for implementing procedures agreed by the independent auditor in accordance with the relevant services standard 4400" in addition to "Engagements to Perform Agreed-Upon Procedures Regarding Financial Information" issued by IASB and approved by SOCPA. This concerns the supplier's request to obtain an independent report on financial and customs information discloed thereby if he objects to the results of customs auditing conducted by SOCPA.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Professional Standards Abdulrahman Al Razeen expressed that he that SOCPA's cooperation efforts with the General Authority of Customs will serve the profession and professionals in the Kingdom. Stressing the need to establish robust professional relationships with government agencies to maximize benefits of such cooperation, achieve theirs objectives, and exchange expertise.
Topics of the workshop included discussion of the procedures and rules manual, which included a framework for implementing "agreed procedures in accordance with the relevant services standard 4400" and determined cases whereby agreed procedures and the auditor's report of the factual findings of agreed procedures in accordance with the relevant services standard 4400 shall apply. Participants shared their recommendations and views that would assist in adoption of such document.