The Saudi Authority for Auditors and Accountants has apprehended a former licensed accountant whose license was revoked, along with two commercial establishments that announced the provision of accounting and auditing services without obtaining a legal license to practice the profession. Legal actions have been taken against them, and they have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Authority clarified that initial monitoring and investigation procedures revealed that a former licensed accountant issued a financial statements audit report after his license was revoked, which is considered a criminal act under the law. The procedures also revealed that two commercial establishments offered accounting and auditing services through their websites and social media platforms without obtaining a license to practice the profession.

The Authority confirmed that these practices fall under the criminal acts stipulated in Article Ten of the Accounting and Auditing Profession Law, which criminalizes misleading the public, by any means, into believing that a person has the right to practice the profession without obtaining a license, or if the license has been canceled or suspended.

The Authority emphasized the importance of all practitioners and establishments adhering to the relevant laws, regulations, and decisions, and not practicing the profession or advertising accounting and auditing services and their branches without obtaining the legal license, to avoid falling under the penalties and legal actions.

The Authority urged the public and beneficiaries to verify the data of licensed individuals through the lists published on the Authority's official website, and to report any violations or misleading advertisements through the approved communication channels of the Authority.