RIYADH: The Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants will make its fellowship available internationally by offering their exam in English alongside Arabic.
Registration will begin on Thursday and the first exam will be held in September.
“The SOCPA fellowship has gained recognition from respected professional bodies around the world for its rigorous standards and advanced curriculum, making it one of the most sought-after qualifications in accounting and auditing,” according to a press release issued by the organization on Tuesday.
Accountants and professionals from any country can earn the fellowship by completing the program and taking the exam in English. The exam consists of 75 percent multiple-choice questions and 25 percent essay questions.
It includes six main subjects: Financial accounting, managerial and governmental accounting, auditing, zakat and tax, business environment, and regulations. It combines academic study with practical application.
Ahmed Al-Meghames, CEO of SOCPA, told Arab News: “The SOCPA fellowship is distinguished by its standardized accounting content and diversity, covering accounting aspects and the environment in which it operates.”
Ahmed Al-Meghames, CEO of SOCPA.
“It prepares holders to work efficiently in diverse and multifaceted regulatory environments,” he said.
“Our vision is for the SOCPA fellowship to become a global benchmark for excellence in accounting, reflecting international best practices and highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in the accounting sector,” Al-Meghames said.
This aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, develop human capital and solidify the Kingdom’s position as a regional and global hub for financial and professional services.
“Our strategy combines competition and integration while fulfilling the aspirations of beneficiaries of accounting and financial services in the Kingdom,” Al-Meghames said.
The number of professional licenses issued in the past five years has increased by 126 percent compared to the total issued since SOCPA’s establishment in 1992.
“This reflects the significant progress witnessed by the Saudi accounting sector,” he said.
