Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, November 25th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
The impact that the move to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) will have on businesses in Saudi Arabia was tackled at a high level panel discussion organised by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in Riyadh on Wednesday.
With just over a year to go before all listed companies are required to report their business performance under IFRS in 2017, and with all non-listed businesses expected to follow suit a year later, ACCA bought together business leaders at a critical time to look at where businesses should be in their preparations and of which issues they should be aware.
Anis Motorwala, ACCA’s Head of Business Development, Middle East & North Africa, said : “The clock is ticking for all businesses in Saudi Arabia who may need to make significant changes to the way in which they report their business activities. Many businesses have already begun work on tackling the conversion to the new standards, but others may still have plenty of work to do. We wanted to not only show business leaders where they should be in the convergence journey but also to offer advice.”
“ACCA was the first body to incorporate IFRS into its qualification 20 years ago, which means that our qualified professionals are well versed in the standards. We also believe that the adoption of global standards will further enhance business opportunities for businesses in the kingdom as it enables potential business partners and clients around the world who already use IFRS to more easily understand the figures they see,” he added.
“To further support the transition to IFRS ACCA has developed a Diploma in International Financial Reporting a globally recognised study program which is available to all professional accountants and auditors which gives them a greater understanding of the standards,” said Anis Motorwala
Delegates at the event at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel, Riyadh, heard from Zubair Baloch – Financial Controller of Al Marai and Sami Abu Suraih – IFRS Conversion Project Manager of Saudi Electricity Company about how their companies were preparing for IFRS, along with Muhammad Asif Iqbal – Director Accounting Standards, SOCPA, Kashif Zafar – Senior Director Audit, KPMG and Manoj Shah – Partner PwC Advisory about the work being undertaken by SOCPA and the big accountancy firms. The discussion was moderated by ACCA member Taha Ali, a Senior Manager in PwC’s Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory team.
Asif Iqbal said: “ Alhamdulillah SOCPA is very much on track towards achieving the project timelines of the landmark project for transition to international accounting and auditing standards which was initiated in 2012. SOCPA under the dynamic leadership of Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman SOCPA Board, H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, is working very closely with all stakeholders like other regulators, accountancy firms, corporate world and the international standard setters towards achieving this challenging task.”
In summing up the event Taha Ali told delegates that it was critical that they choose sustainable accounting solutions, that they manage and educate stakeholders early and that they do not delay the conversion process. “The key message is act now,” he said.
Notes to Editors
About ACCA
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. It offers business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
ACCA supports its 178,000 members and 455,000 students in 181 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 95 offices and centres and more than 7,110 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.
More information is here: www.accaglobal.com
Contacts
Anis Motorwala
Business development manager for ACCA Middle East
tel:+971 4 364 2139
anis.motorwala@accaglobal.com
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