Data and Reports
Provide SAMA with Annual and Quarterly Financial Statements and Annual Reports on internal control systems
Based on the provision of paragraph (c) of Article 15 of the Rules Governing Money Changing Business, issued by the decision of the Minister of Finance No. (1357) dated 1/5/1432H, which states: "SAMA may issue any instructions it deems necessary to implement supervisory and regulatory requirements for money exchange activities," and based on Article 17 of the rules, which states: "Every money exchanger must maintain regular accounting records in which its operations are recorded promptly, in accordance with what is specified by SAMA. They must follow the accounting standards set by SAMA when preparing their financial statements, and they must provide SAMA with the following financial data:
a) A copy of the audited annual balance sheet by a licensed external auditor within a maximum period of one month from the end of the financial year.
b) A financial statement every three months, starting from the beginning of the financial year, to be submitted within fifteen days of the end of the following quarter, "Additionally, Article 19 of the rules states: "The money exchanger must provide SAMA with a copy of the audit report on its annual financial statements, which should include any observations regarding these statements and their compliance with the applicable regulations and standards.
Based on the above, money changers must adhere to the following:
First: Quarterly financial statements: A- SAMA emphasizes the importance of providing it with the financial position every three months, starting from the beginning of the financial year, within fifteen days of the subsequent quarter, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of Article (17) of the Rules Governing Money Changing Business.
B- Providing SAMA with the quarterly financial statements reviewed by a licensed external auditor in accordance with the accounting standards applicable in the Kingdom, within 30 days of the subsequent quarter.
Second: Annual financial statements: A- SAMA emphasizes the importance of providing it with the audited annual financial statements by a licensed external auditor in accordance with the accounting standards applicable in the Kingdom, within a maximum period of one month from the end of the financial year, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of Article (17) of the Rules Governing Money Changing Business.
B- Providing SAMA with the audited annual financial statements by a licensed external auditor in accordance with the accounting standards applicable in the Kingdom, as stipulated in Article (19) of the Rules Governing Money Changing Business, within a maximum period of two months from the end of the financial year.
Third: The total duration of the appointment of the external auditor for the Money changer should not exceed five consecutive years.
Fourth: Annually instructing the external auditor to assess the internal control systems in place at the money changer, and providing SAMA with a copy of the report within a maximum period of two months from the end of the financial year. This report should be separate from the annual financial statements.
Fifth: Sending the annual and quarterly financial statements and the internal control systems report along with a scanned electronic copy of the money changer's letter to the email address (MEXCH@SAMA.GOV.SA), and a hard copy addressed to the Money changers Supervision Division.
To be reviewed and acted upon starting from the financial year 2019, with acknowledgment of receipt within one week from the date hereof. Please note that SAMA will take all necessary legal measures against money changers that violate the provisions of this circular.
In accordance with Circular No. (44017957) dated 03/03/1444H, money changer must adhere to the following:
- In accordance with paragraph (A/7) of Article (14) of the regulations, conduct a periodic independent test, at a minimum once a year, to assess the Money Changer’s operations, including the systems, and to assess the compliance with its internal policies and procedures. This test should be completed by the end of July of each calendar year at the latest.
- Compliance with the provisions of paragraph (C) of Article (31) of the regulations, which requires the external auditor to evaluate the internal control systems. The report should, at a minimum, include any observations regarding compliance with the provisions of the Rules Regulating Money Changing Business.
Supervisory Data Templates for Money Changers and Their Submission Through the RMS System
Based on Article 31 of the Rules Regulating Money Changing Business, issued by the Minister of Finance's Decision No. 4686, dated 21/11/1441H, which states that the Money Changer must provide SAMA, upon its request and at the times it specifies, with data or reports, and Paragraph (b) of Article 14 of the Rules Regulating Money Changing Business, which states that "SAMA may issue any instructions it deems necessary to implement the supervision and control requirements for Money Changing Business", and further to Circular No. 42011183, dated 26/02/1442H, regarding the update of the employee data collection form for money changers, and Circular No. 42032575, dated 15/05/1442H, regarding the update of the financial statement comparison form.
Accordingly, we inform you of the update to the monthly, quarterly, and annual supervisory data templates for money changers. We attach electronic copies along with the approved instructions, with the following requirements:
First: The supervisory data templates must be completed as required and submitted periodically through the Returns Management System (RMS) portal (rms.sama.gov.sa/SAMARMSPortal/Default.aspx)*.
Second: The money changer must complete all the required data in the monthly, quarterly, and annual supervisory data templates before submitting them electronically and ensure the accuracy of all data according to the “Validation rules,” as follows:
- Provide SAMA with the monthly sales and purchases data template within 5 days of the end of the month.
- Provide SAMA with the quarterly currencies, major customer data, counterfeit currency data, and employee data templates within 15 days of the end of the quarter.
- Provide SAMA with the quarterly financial statement comparison template within 35 days of the end of the quarter.
- Provide SAMA with the annual financial statement comparison template within 65 days of the end of the year.
- Provide SAMA with the annual regulatory data template within 30 days of the end of the year.
Third: This circular will take effect from the third quarter of 2022G.
SAMA emphasizes the need to comply with the above-mentioned update and submit the supervisory data templates within the specified times and methods. SAMA will take all necessary legal actions against money changers that fail to comply with this circular.
*To read the guidance manual for the Returns Management System, click here.