What should the engagement define?

Service component What to specify
Transaction recording Periods, activities and accounts covered, and document sources
Bank reconciliation Bank accounts covered and presentation of unresolved differences
Statement preparation Required statements, reporting frequency and draft-review process
Missing information Who supplies documents and how outstanding items are listed
Handover Report and file formats, and the person responsible for receipt

These points help define the agreement; they do not promise that every additional need is included. Disclose inventory, branches, payroll and accumulated historical transactions so any extra work can be identified.

Supporting documents are part of the work

To prepare for the engagement, gather invoices, bank statements, receipt and payment documents, and information explaining balances. Ask the firm to identify gaps rather than assuming that a complete-looking report means every transaction is supported.

The Companies Law requires a company to maintain accounting records and supporting documents and prepare financial statements under accounting standards approved in Saudi Arabia. This distinguishes mere data entry from organizing information that can be traced to evidence.

Separate recurring work from other engagements

Bookkeeping is not an open-ended contract for everything related to accounts. Clarify whether opening balances and backlogged periods are covered or require separate diagnosis and treatment. Zakat and VAT returns are a separate partner-delivered service in Aleem's offer; the presence of tax data in the books does not establish their inclusion.

Statement preparation is also not the same as an auditor's report. The Companies Law addresses auditor appointment, independence and reporting separately from records and statement preparation. Define the required output before engaging a provider.

Management retains a role after outsourcing

Designate someone in your business to explain transactions, supply documents and review questions. For a limited liability company, the Ministry of Commerce identifies the manager or board of managers as responsible for preparing and filing financial statements. A service engagement does not transfer that statutory role to Aleem or the partner office.

Request the service through Aleem

Request Bookkeeping and Financial Statements through an accredited partner office. You contract with and pay the partner directly; it performs and signs the professional work, while Aleem follows through to delivery without a referral commission. If old balances or unclear reports make the starting point uncertain, request an Accounting System Health Check before defining recurring work. The check provides diagnosis and a report only; any subsequent treatment requires a separate proposal.

By Aleem Consultations.

Sources

https://misa.gov.sa/app/uploads/2025/07/Companies-Law.pdf — Records, statement preparation and independent auditor provisions. https://mc.gov.sa/ar/mediacenter/News/Pages/16-12-25-01.aspx — Responsibility for preparing and filing an LLC's financial statements.