Accounting in Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most sought-after fields among many students, and it is regarded as a key branch of financial sciences. Read on.
What Is the History of Accounting?
The origins of accounting date back to before 1494, when record-keeping was primarily based on manual bookkeeping methods. Over time, accounting went through several stages of development, eventually reaching a golden era of advancement after 1775, when it began to take a more structured and systematic form as a recognized field of study and practice.
What Are the Principles of Accounting in Saudi Arabia?
1- The Principle of Regularity: This principle ensures that the accountant is committed to and applies all the rules and laws applied in Accounting in Saudi Arabia, which include multiple accounting works in the company or institution in which he works.
2- The Principle of Consistency: It is a principle that works to unify the process of data entry and reporting so that all accounting data and information are entered in a coordinated and unified manner for everyone in the accounting major. The principle, or method, will be to aim to improve the benefit of financial results.
3- The Principle of Sincerity: The principle of sincerity is an important principle, as all accounting majors must present the financial situation of the institution honestly and transparently. This is to reflect the correct financial position of the organization, as the information provided by the accountant must be honest and accurate.
4- The Principle of Consistency of Methods: The focus in this principle is on the necessity of having a fixed pattern used in the procedures by which financial reports are prepared. This principle is closely linked to the principle of consistency, so that one fixed method is used in all financial matters and the preparation of financial reports related to the institution in the same way.
5- The Principle of Non-Compensation: It is a principle that obligates those in the accounting major to disclose all financial data related to the institution, whether positive or negative, without expecting compensation or compensation for the debt through the original budget or revenues. This principle stipulates that no entity or organization that expects financial compensation must report it accurately as it is.
What Are the Most Prominent Principles of Accounting in Saudi Arabia?
1- The Principle of Continuity: This principle of Accounting is carried out on the assumption that the institution will continue its work in the future and will not stop, and that the institution’s work will continue as it did in the first place, that is, based on the basic rules on which it was founded, which means that the institution’s work in the future must be consistent with what happened and was built in the past.
2- The Principle of Periodicity: In the principle of periodicity, the process of distributing accounting entries over appropriate time periods is determined by the institution according to its needs, as the institution must report its financial results during specific time periods, which could be monthly, quarterly, or annually, as this period will be approved. During the coming years, this to compare companies' profits from one year to another, and on the basis of this comparison, accounting procedures are devised that support the continuous and unified production of financial statements during the specified period of time, and this is what the accounting major includes.
3- The Principle of Honesty in Transactions: One of the principles of accounting is the principle of honesty in transactions. The principle of honesty in transactions stipulates that the person who will sell or buy a good or service must have a legal obligation to provide complete and correct information, as financial advisors bear the responsibility to work and act to the utmost degree. This principle is considered fundamental in insurance law.
What About the Historical Cost Principle?
It is a principle that specializes in accounting by mentioning the historical cost of a specific item, and in it the cash equivalent is indicated, or the cash that was paid to purchase this item, and the original cash is not adjusted for inflation, with the historical cost recorded in the financial statements.
Specific to the institution, this principle serves companies and institutions so that recording the historical cost of the good or service and reporting it in the balance sheet will give the good its true value without exaggeration, and monitoring and delivering it to the original maintains objectivity. This principle in the accounting major is one of the tests. Conducted by auditors on major assets.
What About the Principle of Revenue Recognition?
This principle of Accounting in Saudi Arabia stipulates that the organization’s revenues must be entered at the time they arrive without delay so that when a product is sold or a service is provided that deserves financial compensation to be returned to the organization, it must be entered and recorded immediately, and its receipt reported, and the process completed. These revenues are recognized whether or not the funds are received.
What Are the Objectives of Accounting in Saudi Arabia?
The primary goal of the accounting discipline is to provide accurate and useful financial information. The most important objectives include:
1- Determining the performance of the economic entity: It measures the profit or loss of a business over a specific period of time.
2- Assessing the financial position of the entity: It identifies the sources of funds and how these funds are used at the end of a specific accounting period.
3- Recording all business transactions: It ensures that every financial operation of the economic unit is systematically documented for accuracy and transparency.
What Are the Types of Accounting in Saudi Arabia?
1- Financial Accounting: This is considered the primary type of accounting. Its main role is to provide the organization with financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, reflecting the company’s overall financial performance.
2- Tax Accounting: This type serves as a link between companies or institutions and the government authorities. It involves calculating taxes for individuals and organizations, ensuring compliance with tax laws, and determining the amount owed or refundable.
3- Managerial Accounting: It is focused on internal decision-making; this type helps secure financing for the company at minimal cost through issuing bonds and shares. It also ensures proper budgeting and resource allocation to balance organizational goals with available financial resources.
4- Government Accounting: This type deals with managing public funds, preparing and monitoring the government budget, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of state resources.
What Are the Importance of Accounting in Saudi Arabia?
1- Evaluating and Monitoring Organizational Activity: Accounting helps assess the performance and efficiency of an institution by tracking its operations and financial outcomes.
2- Measuring the Financial Position: It provides a clear view of the organization’s financial standing, including assets, liabilities, and equity.
3- Enabling Management Insight: Accounting equips decision-makers with detailed reports on financial inflows and outflows, providing both periodic and ad hoc statements for informed planning and control.
4- Documenting Organizational Transactions: It translates all activities and interactions of the organization with its environment into formal records by recording legal and administrative events throughout the fiscal year.
What Are Accounting Software Programs?
Accounting software programs are applications developed to assist businesses, companies, factories, and organizations in managing accounts and recording financial transactions in an organized and precise manner.
These programs emerged with the spread of the internet, as large companies began adopting electronic solutions and network-based databases to modernize their accounting systems and reduce the time spent on traditional procedures. Accounting software enables the provision of all accounting services more efficiently, while allowing fast and accurate access to financial data and its analysis.
What Are the Types of Accounting Software?
Accounting software can be classified based on several factors, including:
Size of the Organization or Business: Different software is designed to meet the needs of small businesses, medium enterprises, or large corporations.- Cost of the Software: Its programs vary in price depending on their features, complexity, and the scale of the services they provide.
How to Find Jobs About Accounting in Saudi Arabia via Shobbak Platform?
You can find solutions and opportunities through Shobbak platform, which offers a wide range of options to help you secure accounting jobs that suit your qualifications. Additionally, the platform features institutes and training centers that provide specialized courses in Accounting in Saudi Arabia, accessible through posted ads.
Shobbak also allows you to post your own ads if you are looking for opportunities or want to promote your services. Beyond job listings, you can buy and sell tools, devices, and resources that support accounting tasks and professional work.
Don’t hesitate to visit Shobbak and explore its offerings. You'll find a variety of services and resources for Accounting in Saudi Arabia that will meet your needs.