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 The initiative seeks to raise awareness among accounting offices and customers about the legal rights and duties of chartered accountants.
 The initiative aims to ensure the compliance of the terms of the contract between accounting offices and clients with the provisions of Law No. 30 of 2004, which regulates the audit profession.
 The uniform contract for the provision of chartered accountant services to clients includes 13 provisions that outline the responsibilities of both parties.
 
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce unveiled on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 a new initiative that aims to promote the adoption of a uniform contract for the provision of chartered accountant services to clients.
 
The initiative comes within the framework of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s efforts to improve the services offered by chartered accountants to clients, and to raise awareness among accounting offices and customers about the legal rights and duties of chartered accountants.
 
The initiative aims to provide an electronic, uniform contract for the provision of accounting services and the establishment of a legal framework for the contractual relationship between chartered accountants and their clients.
 
The initiative also aims to educate clients about the main provisions that should be included in the contract for the provision of accounting services, as well as to ensure the compliance of the terms of the contract between accounting offices and clients with the provisions of Law No. 30 of 2004, which regulates the audit profession.
 
The uniform contract form for the provision of chartered accounting services to clients includes 13 provisions that outline the responsibilities of both parties.
 
The introduction and first article of the uniform contract relates to the client’s request for chartered accountant services, whether provided by an individual chartered accountant office, a general partnership company, or the representative of a global office registered as a chartered accountant office specialized in reviewing and auditing financial accounts, as well as providing financial consultancy services as requested by the client. The second article of the uniform contract outlines the commitment of chartered accountants to provide accounting, financial account auditing services, and advice in the financial, economic and administrative fields. It also addresses matters relating to taxation and liquidation, as well as other services outlined in applicable laws in accordance with international accounting standards.
 
The third article also relates to the commitment of the chartered accountant to providing accounting services required by the customer, such as:
 Reviewing and auditing financial accountsExamining financial statements and internal audit measuresPerforming a final budget auditReviewing year end accounts
 
The fourth article of the uniform contract highlights the responsibility of chartered accountants for auditing operations and the accuracy of information presented in their reports. The fifth article also stresses that chartered accountants are responsible for compensating customers for all damages due to negligence and professional error committed by the accountants, their assistants or both.
 
Article six of the contract compels chartered accountants to maintain the confidentiality of information and documents related to the client’s work. Accountants shall only use such information to perform their duties as stipulated in the contract, and shall refrain from disclosing or exploiting such information (except when it comes to competent authorities) during or after the completion of duties and the expiry of the contract.
 
Article seven of the contract, on the other hand, prohibits the client from terminating the work of the chartered accountant before the end of the fiscal year unless the accountant violates the provisions of Law No. 30 of 2004 that regulates the auditor profession.
 
Article eight of the contract determines the beginning and end of the contract term and the possibility of its renewal for a similar period if neither party notifies the other of its intention not to renew the contract 30 days prior to its expiry.
 
Article 9 of the agreement stipulates that the chartered accountants shall set their fees in agreement with the client. The fees shall be written in numerals and letters and paid as follows: 50% upon signing the contract while the remaining 50% shall be paid at the end of the contract period. Article 11 stipulates that law number 30 of 2004 regulates the auditing profession and implementing rules that are not included in the contract.
 
The remaining articles of the uniform contract (article ten, twelve and thirteen) outline legal proceedings, such as the acknowledgement of both parties of their address as shown on the contract, as well as the jurisdiction of courts in the State of Qatar when it comes to settling disputes arising between the two parties in line with Qatari law. Each party shall also receive a copy of the contract after approving and signing it.