At a glance
- A phased Saudisation programme for 44 accounting and finance professions (Programme) was introduced in late 2025 and remains a live compliance obligation for employers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- The first phase requires establishments with five or more employees in covered accounting roles to achieve a 40% Saudisation rate from 27 October 2025.
- The localisation requirement is scheduled to increase in stages, reaching 70% by 2028.
- Covered roles include senior finance and audit leadership positions, mid-level accounting and audit roles, and clerical accounting functions.
- The Programme is particularly significant for banks, investment firms, insurance companies and other regulated financial institutions, where accounting and finance functions are central to day-to-day operations and governance.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced the phased Programme as part of its broader Saudisation strategy. The measure applies to 44 specified accounting professions and is aimed at increasing the participation of Saudi nationals in finance, accounting and audit functions across the private sector.
The first phase took effect on 27 October 2025. From that date, establishments employing five or more workers in covered accounting professions must ensure that at least 40% of those roles are held by Saudi nationals. The required percentage is scheduled to increase over time, with the target rising to 70% by 2028.
The covered professions are broad. They include senior roles such as finance directors, audit directors and other leadership positions, as well as mid-level accountants, auditors and related finance professionals. The Programme also extends to clerical and support roles within accounting functions. As a result, employers should not assume that the requirement is limited to senior or professionally qualified positions.
For financial sector employers, the practical impact is likely to be substantial. Banks, investment firms, insurance companies and other financial institutions typically maintain sizeable finance, accounting, audit, reporting and control teams. These functions are also closely connected to regulatory compliance, internal governance and financial reporting. Employers in these sectors should therefore assess not only their overall Saudisation position, but also whether their accounting and finance departments meet the specific localisation thresholds applicable to the covered roles.
