Audit & Assurance Services in Saudi Arabia

Audit & Assurance

Compliance and transparency in your financial data

OPU provides statutory audit, internal audit and assurance support for companies in Saudi Arabia. Our certified team gives you an independent view of your financial statements, tests the controls behind them and reports clearly on what to fix.

Most registered companies, including LLCs, joint stock companies and branches of foreign companies, must have annual statements audited by a SOCPA-licensed auditor. Audited accounts are also needed for ZATCA filings, Ministry of Commerce submissions through the Qawaem portal, visa and labour approvals, bank financing and many tender bids.

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What our audit practice covers

From the annual statutory opinion to deeper risk and control work.

External statutory auditAudits carried out under IFRS and SOCPA standards, with an independent opinion on whether your statements are fair and compliant.
Forensic accounting & investigative auditsReviews of financial irregularities and disputes, prepared for legal or internal proceedings.
Internal controls & risk assessmentA review of risk management, compliance and governance frameworks that safeguard assets and prevent error.
Control optimisation & COSO complianceAligning your controls with CMA regulations and the COSO framework.
Fraud prevention, detection & mitigationEarly identification of control gaps before they turn into losses.
Process improvement & cost optimisationStreamlined workflows and lower operating costs found during the audit.

Our four-step audit method

  1. 01
    Strategic planning & scope

    We tailor the scope to your business and assess risks specific to your industry.

  2. 02
    Fieldwork & analytics

    Data analytics test controls and verify transactions, rather than relying on simple sampling.

  3. 03
    Reporting & audit opinion

    You receive the audit report and a management letter with practical recommendations.

  4. 04
    Post-audit advisory

    We help you put control improvements in place and follow up on them.

Timeline and documents

Deadline

Statements are due to the Ministry of Commerce within six months of the financial year-end. Fieldwork usually begins 4 to 8 weeks before that date.

Documents to prepare

Trial balance, bank confirmations, VAT and Zakat filings, payroll records, fixed asset registers and prior-year audited statements.

Exemptions

Smaller companies may be exempt if they meet at least two of three tests: revenue under SAR 10 million, assets under SAR 10 million and fewer than 49 employees.

Voluntary audits

Growing businesses often audit voluntarily to build investor confidence and financial discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an annual audit mandatory in Saudi Arabia?

Registered companies are generally required to have annual financial statements audited by a SOCPA-registered auditor. Some small companies may qualify for an exemption.

Which accounting standards apply?

IFRS applies to listed and most large entities and IFRS for SMEs to smaller businesses. OPU can also advise on other frameworks such as US GAAP where needed.

How long does an audit take?

Fieldwork usually takes 2 to 4 weeks once your records are ready, and the full engagement 4 to 8 weeks. We suggest starting 6 to 8 weeks before your filing deadline.

What is the difference between an audit and an internal controls review?

An audit gives an opinion on the financial statements. A controls review looks at the processes behind them. Many clients choose both.

Can OPU help us move to IFRS?

Yes. We run a gap analysis, restate prior-period figures, update policies and train your finance staff.

Related finance and advisory services

Accounting ServicesBookkeeping, IFRS reporting, consolidation, payroll and outsourced accountants for businesses in Saudi Arabia.Tax & Zakat AdvisoryZakat calculation and filing, corporate tax, withholding tax and ZATCA compliance in Saudi Arabia.Accounting Advisory & PoliciesAccounting policies, IFRS adoption, chart of accounts design, ERP support and governance advice in Saudi Arabia.Finance, Audit & Advisory overviewSee all seven OPU services in one place.

Plan your audit with OPU

Request a consultation and receive a document checklist before fieldwork begins.

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