Overview
The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) runs Saudi Arabia's Fellowship programme, the qualification required to register and practise as a Certified Public Accountant (Chartered Accountant) in the Kingdom. Candidates pass a series of exams covering accounting, auditing, and the Saudi regulatory and Sharia-related subjects relevant to practice, alongside the required professional experience.
Who can apply
Applicants generally need an accounting or related university degree from a recognised institution, along with the professional experience SOCPA requires before Fellowship registration. SOCPA also runs accreditation routes for holders of other recognised international accounting qualifications.
Exam pattern
SOCPA's Fellowship exams are organised as a set of papers covering areas including financial accounting, auditing, Saudi commercial and zakat/tax regulations, and the Islamic jurisprudence of financial transactions (fiqh al-mu'amalat) relevant to accounting practice.
How to apply
Apply for the SOCPA Fellowship programme through SOCPA's registration channels once you meet the academic and experience requirements; check SOCPA's current website for the exam schedule and fees.
Preparation tips
Candidates coming from a general accounting background should give extra preparation time to the Saudi-specific regulatory and Sharia-related subjects, since these differ from standard international accounting curricula.
What does SOCPA's Fellowship programme qualify you for?
Registration and practice as a Certified Public Accountant (Chartered Accountant) in Saudi Arabia.
Does SOCPA recognise other international accounting qualifications?
Yes, SOCPA runs accreditation routes for holders of certain recognised international accounting qualifications, alongside its own Fellowship exams.