SOCPA refers unlicensed practitioners to Public Prosecution

RIYADH — The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) has referred a former certified public accountant and two commercial establishments to the Public Prosecution for providing accounting and auditing services without valid professional licenses.SOCPA said the former accountant, whose license had been revoked, was found to have issued an audit report on financial statements after losing his authorization to practice, an act that constitutes a criminal offense under the law.The authority also found that two commercial establishments had advertised accounting and auditing services through their websites and social media platforms without obtaining the required professional licenses.SOCPA said the violations fall under Article 10 of the Accounting and Auditing Profession Law, which criminalizes misleading the public by claiming the right to practice the profession without a valid license or while holding a revoked or suspended license.The organization stressed the importance of complying with all applicable laws, regulations and decisions governing the profession, emphasizing that accounting and auditing services may only be provided or advertised after obtaining the necessary legal authorization.It also urged the public to verify the licensing status of practitioners through the lists published on its official website and to report any unauthorized practices or misleading advertisements through its official reporting channels.