70% Saudization in the Accounting profession

The Ministry of Labor has imposed a minimum of 70% Saudization in the accounting profession in Saudi Arabia. The decision will be implemented in 4 phases.

Saudization in the Accounting Profession

The decision of 70% Saudization in the accounting profession will impact 44 Iqama professions in Saudi Arabia.

1 – Companies that employ five or more accountants will be required to maintain the following Saudization levels in accounting, finance, and auditing jobs.

• 40% Saudization by 27-Oct-2025.
• 50% Saudization by 27-Oct-2026.
• 60% Saudization by 27-Oct-2027.
• 70% Saudization by 27-Oct-2028.

2 –  Only those Saudi accountants/auditors registered with the SOCPA would be counted for Saudization.

3 – Companies that employ 3 or 4 accountants must maintain a Saudization level of 30% by 27-Oct-2029.

4 – There is no Saudization requirement in the accounting department for establishments that employ 1 or 2 accountants.

5 – The minimum monthly salary for a Saudi accountant/auditor would not be less than SR 6,000 for bachelor’s holders and SR 4,500 for diploma holders to be counted in the Saudization calculation.

• Source: HRSD Ministry.

44 Accounting Professions to be Saudized

The circular issued by the HRSD Ministry mentions that the Saudization requirement will apply to 44 accounting/auditing professions. We have provided the list along with the profession code.

1. 1112131 – مدير شؤون مالية ومحاسبة – Finance and Accounting Manager
2. 1217131 – مدير حسابات وميزانية – Accounts and Budget Manager
3. 1217281 – مدير إدارة التقارير المالية – Financial Reports Manager
4. 1217331 – مدير إدارة الزكاة والضرائب – Zakat and Taxes Manager
5. 1217381 – مدير إدارة المراجعة الداخلية – Internal Audit Manager
6. 1217661 – مدير الإدارة العامة للمراجعة – General Audit Manager
7. 2218191 – رئيس برامج التدقيق الداخلي – Head of Internal Audit Programs
8. 2621031 – مراقب مالي – Financial Controller
9. 2621151 – مراجع مالي أول – Senior Financial Auditor
10. 2621141 – مشرف مراجعة مالية – Financial Audit Supervisor
11. 3621141 – مشرف مراجعة مالية – Financial Audit Supervisor
12. 3621151 – مراجع مالي أول – Financial Audit Supervisor
13. 2622011 – محاسب عام – Senior Financial Auditor
14. 2622021 – محاسب تكاليف – General Accountant
15. 2622031 – مدقق حسابات – Cost Accountant
16. 2621081 – مراجع داخلي – Auditor
17. 3621012 – فني حسابات عام – Internal Auditor
18. 3621022 – فني تدقيق حسابات – General Accounting Technician
19. 3621032 – فني حسابات كلفة – Auditing Technician
20. 4211173 – كاتب تكاليف – Cost Accounting Technician
21. 4211183 – كاتب مالية – Cost Clerk
22. 4121044 – كاتب مسك الدفاتر – Financial Clerk
23. 121101 – مدير مالي – Bookkeeping Clerk
24. 121102 – مدير حسابات – Financial Manager
25. 121103 – مدير حسابات تعريفة – Accounts Manager
26. 121104 – مدير خزينة – Tariff Accounts Manager
27. 121105 – مدير ميزانية – Treasury Manager
28. 121106 – مدير مراجعة – Budget Manager
29. 121107 – مدير مراجعة داخلية – Audit Manager
30. 121113 – مدير تحصيل – Internal Audit Manager
31. 121116 – مدير خزانة – Collection Manager
32. 241102 – محاسب تكاليف – Treasury Manager
33. 241106 – مراقب مالي – Cost Accountant
34. 241103 – مراجع داخلي – Financial Controller
35. 431101 – كاتب حسابات – Internal Auditor
36. 241101 – محاسب – Accounts Clerk
37. 241107 – أخصائي موازنة مالية – Accountant
38. 241108 – أخصائي حسابات ضرائب – Financial Budget Specialist
39. 241105 – محاسب قانوني – Tax Accounts Specialist
40. 335202 – مسؤول ضرائب – Chartered Accountant
41. 331301 – مساعد حسابات – Tax Officer
42. 241109 – أخصائي مراقبة مخزون – Accounts Assistant
43. 241110 – أخصائي مستودعات – Inventory Control Specialist
44. 331302 – مراقب مخزون – Warehouse Specialist

Mechanism of calculating Saudization

The mechanism of calculating Saudization in the accounting profession is explained below;

• Total accountants in a company (20 Expats + 2 Saudis): 22.
• Saudization Rate (22 x 30%) : 6.6 rounded to 7.
• New Saudi accountants to be hired during the grace period: 7 – 2 = 5.

What if the Saudization requirement is not met?

If the Saudization requirement in the accounting profession is not met by the deadline, the following consequences will have to be faced;

1. Employees with the accounting profession would not be able to change Iqama profession.
2. No transfer of sponsorship to the company.
3. No transfer of sponsorship from the company.
4. No renewal of work permit for any employee.
5. No new visas.

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