fin 408 ,

College of Administration and Finance Sciences

Form No 4- Internship Report Cover Page
Student`s name:

Rand Mishal almuatiri

Student`s ID #:

S210025071

Training Organization:SABIC

Trainee Department:VAT

Field Instructor Name: Meshari Althobaiti

Field Instructor Signature:

Course Title: FIN 408

CRN: 50233

Internship Start Date:23 june 2025

Internship End Date:9 july 2025

Academic Year/Semester: summer 2025

For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:

Total Training Hours /280

Students’ Grade: Marks Obtained /30

Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low

College of Administration and Finance Sciences

Academic Report Guideline(Co-op)

Executive Summary
In this report, I will give a detailed description of my cooperative training journey under the Saudi
Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), which is the Value Added Tax (VAT) Department. The
internship was based on [X] weeks of application of the theory that I learned in the academic
course on Financial Management to the real world of the workplace of a multinational corporation.
SABIC is an international chemicals producer that has a leadership in diverse chemicals and works
across several industry lines such as metals, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, and fertilizers.
The VAT Department is essential in bringing compliance with the tax policies of Saudi Arabia and
more specifically those of the new Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA).
During my time at the company as an intern the activities that I carried out within the company
were broad and varied, and included data entry and reconciliation into the SAP system, helping in
preparation of VAT returns, interdepartmental meetings (with tax, treasury, audit, and financial
closing departments) and involvement as part of the initial roll- out of the new tax automation
system at SABIC – STAR. The participation enabled me to emerge well-equipped with technical
expertise in SAP and an efficient insight into the VAT compliance procedures as well as fortify
my professional skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
Acknowledgment
I am extremely grateful to my field instructor, [Name] who has constantly guided me during my

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
internship period and provided his/her support and mentorship. I also wish to appreciate my fellow
VAT Department colleagues who helped, provided perseverance and were ready to share
knowledge. Moreover, I would like to give thanks to my academic supervisor at Saudi Electronic
University, who offered me academic supervision and did everything to hassle-free complete the
co-op program. Lastly, I appreciate the Human Resources department of SABIC in supporting a
professional processes of induction.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Chapter 1: Description of the Company …………………………………………………………………………. 8
1.1 Full Company Title, History, Ownership, Sector ……………………………………………………. 8
1.2 Products and Services …………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
1.3 Customers and Clients ………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
1.4 Organizational Chart ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
1.5 Departmental Functions and Interconnections …………………………………………………….. 12
1.6 Process Chart of VAT Compliance and Reporting ……………………………………………….. 14
1.7 Accounting, Finance, IT, Quality, and Marketing Standards ……………………………….. 15

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
1.8 SAP System Usage and STAR System Introduction ……………………………………………… 16
Chapter 2: Internship Activities …………………………………………………………………………………… 17
2.1 Supervisor and Team ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
2.2 Department Overview and Sub-Divisions …………………………………………………………….. 17
2.3 Daily Tasks …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
2.4 Meetings Attended………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
2.5 STAR System Involvement………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
2.6 Skills Gained ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20
2.7 Theory vs Practice Comparison Table …………………………………………………………………. 21
2.8 Work Samples…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
2.9 Lessons Learned …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 22
Chapter 3: Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………………… 23
3.1 Advantages …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 23
3.2 Challenges ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
3.3 Suggestions for University …………………………………………………………………………………… 24
3.4 Suggestions for SABIC………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25

College of Administration and Finance Sciences

College of Administration and Finance Sciences

1. Introduction
Purpose of the Report
The main aim of putting up this report will be to offer a pictorial report of the cooperative training
program I have conducted at the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), which in this case
was in the Finance Division under the Value Added Tax (VAT) Department. The purpose of this
report can be described as an organized review of the background of the organization, the
organizational structure it operates on, as well as the particular role of its VAT Department in
providing tax compliance to one of the largest chemical manufacturers of the world.
The report acts as a bridge to fill the existing gap between the theoretical knowledge that I attained
when studying at the Saudi Electronic University and the practical knowledge that I acquired after
studying and working in a corporate institutional setting. It reflects the work I have done, the
systems I have worked on – SAP and the newly launched STAR platform and the projects in
collaboration with others, such as VAT filings, reconciliations and audits preparations.

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
Furthermore, this paper will work along with the reflection on the professional improvement that
was made during the internship in terms of technical ability, soft skills, and the insights into the
actual corporate activities. It is not only supposed to be an academic document but should also be
considered as a professional document showing how much I contributed to VAT Department of
SABIC when undergoing this training.
Internship Objectives
It went into the co-op program with the definite goals aimed on maximization of learning
experience and the overall contribution to the host organization:
1. Use of School Learning
•

To use theoretical aspects of financial management and taxation and accounting courses to
real life practical situation in a multinational company. This involved learning the practice
of VAT laws and financial reporting systems of large scale organizations.

2. Experience with enterprise systems Hands-On
•

To acquire a viable working knowledge of SAP Finance Module used in processing VAT,
data reconciliation and reporting and to engage in the implementation and preimplementation phase of the STAR (a system aimed at automating and streamlining tax
processes)

3. Interpreting the VAT Compliance Processes under the Saudi Taxation Law
•

To build a comprehensive working knowledge of the VAT compliance system required
under the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), and data preparation, process of
submitting data, audit competency and inter departmental coordination.

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
4. Skill Development Professionally
•

To develop soft skills which include good communicator, analytical thinker, time
management, and problem solver. It involved the work with other finance subdivisions
(Treasury, Audit, Financial Closing) partners and participation in cross-functional
meetings, where operational issues were solved.

•

Through these goals, the internship was expected to act like a capstone experience – which
is to review what I have learned, experience actual corporate issues, and as well as equip
me in handling tasks in the field of finance, taxation, and business management which are
in the future of my career goals.

Chapter 1: Description of the Company
1.1 Full Company Title, History, Ownership, Sector
The name of the organization where I did cooperative training is Saudi Basic Industries
Corporation (SABIC). SABIC was founded in the year 1976 through Royal Decree to form part
of Saudi Arabian strategic vision of diversifying its economy and lower the dependence on the
production of crude oil as the basis of exportation. Its set-up also heralded a new dawn in
industrialization in the Kingdom with a great emphasis placed on tapping its natural gas feedstock
of oil production industry to produce chemicals and other industrial raw materials.
With its headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, SABIC has expanded in order to become one of
the top diversified chemical firms in the world. The company plays in various industrial sectors
among which are:

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
•

Chemicals: petrochemicals, polymers and intermediates.

•

metals: production of steel and aluminum.

•

Fertilizers: Domestic and international trade of agricultural grade fertilizers.

•

Plastics: Engineering plastics for automobile, electronics, and packages.

SABIC, coming out of a humble start, has grown to become a global industrial giant that has
production in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The extensive global marketing
network ensures that the firm products get to over 100 countries.
In 2020, Saudi Aramco, which is the largest energy company globally, became a majority
shareholder of SABIC after purchasing a 70 percent interest in SABIC. The other 30 percent shares
are also offered to public at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) with a ticker code 2010. This
ownership model guarantees SABIC the support of the government, as well as flexibility of a listed
company giving it the stability and ability to raise capital to develop the company long-term.
1.2 Products and Services
The products of SABIC are extensive and diversified and are aimed to serve a variety of industries
and applications. The kind of offerings provided by the company can be summarized in the
following manner:
1. Petrochemicals- Core products are ethylene and propylene, methanol, benzene and other
essential chemicals which can be used as the building blocks in plastic, resin and other
synthetics.
2. Notice 29 Years As engineering plastics continue to enter a broad range of applications,
including cars, electronics, build- ing and consumer items, there has been a need to refer to a

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
standardized set of conditions in defining the range of properties required by each application.
Examples are polycarbonates, polyethylenes, polypropylene and specialty polymers.
3. Fertilizers- They include grainy and liquid fertilizers that include urea, ammonia, and
diammonium phosphate (DAP) that is aimed at increasing agriculture production both
domestically and abroad.
4. Metals – Construction, infrastructure construction, machinery and heavy industry steel and
aluminum products.
5. Specialty Chemicals = Specialty chemicals provided by custom chemical formulations applied
to a special use like coating, adhesives and performance additives.
Along with the physical products, SABIC offers the following value added services:
•

Research and Development (R&D): SABIC innovates new and existing materials using
specific centers and laboratories to ensure the changing needs in the industry are addressed.

•

Technical Support: Helping the customers to make an optimum use of SABIC products in
their production.

•

Supply Chain & Logistics: Distributional management in the world to create timely
distribution and cost effectivity.

The diversification of its products and services enables SABIC to withstand any market oscillation,
which makes it maintain a consistent level of revenue regardless of its volatility in the global
commodity markets.
1.3 Customers and Clients
The customer base of SABIC is huge and worldwide, a fact that illustrates the global leader of the

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
company in the supply of industrial materials. Its customers:
•

Industrial Manufacturers Industrial manufacturers that produce packaging, textiles,
consumer electronics, and other manufactured materials which SABIC plastics, chemicals,
and resins.

•

Construction

and

Infrastructural

Companies:

Construction

companies

and

infrastructure building firms use steel and plastic products of SABIC in building major
projects, road-construction, bridges and utility systems.
•

Automotive Companies: Major car companies are leveraging the expertise of SABIC in
order to manufacture their auto parts that are strong, non-corrosive and lightweight besides
being fuel efficient.

•

Agricultural Suppliers: agricultural suppliers, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural
companies are sold fertilizers manufactured by SABIC to enhance agricultural output.

•

Global Distributors and Resellers: A lot of products are distributed with the help of the
global partners of the supply chain to reach the end markets of numerous continents.

•

Government and Institutional Customers: SABIC collaborates with national
infrastructure schemes and the state-owned companies that need special materials.

The rationale of its customers includes its quality consistency of products, adherence to
international code, innovation in the field of material science as well as its after sales services.
Such a wide and diversified customer base does not only fuel the brand image of SABIC globally
but also reduces the economic exposure to a particular market or segment.

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
1.4 Organizational Chart
Figure 1: SABIC Finance Division – VAT Department Structure
SABIC CEO
└── CFO (Finance Division)
└── Tax Department
└── VAT Department
├── VAT Manager (Field Instructor)
├── Senior VAT Specialists
├── VAT Analysts
└── Intern (My Position)
This organization is based on the concept of a large company which is hierarchically structured
with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on the top. The Finance Division has a Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) in which the Tax Department will be in charge of all matters touching on tax which
includes corporate tax, VAT and other regulatory compliance issues.
In the Tax Department, there is the VAT Department which deals specifically in value-added tax
activities. The VAT Manager heads the department and they coordinate with the senior VAT
specialists and VAT analysts to ascertain compliance with the tax laws of the country. Under their
supervision, I served as an intern and assisted in day-to-day VAT operations and worked on the
implementation of a particular project such as STAR system.
1.5 Departmental Functions and Interconnections
The Finance Division of SABIC works in a number of organizationally interconnected

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
departments that have definite functions but conditions, integrated work to guarantee that the
financial business runs well:
VAT Department
Has a responsibility to prepare, check and file VAT returns on a timely basis in line with the rules
of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). VAT reconciliations, audit of tax
reimbursement, review of tax deducted in SAP systems to match the VAT requirements, and
analysis of transactional data held within SAP system are all reconciliations managed by this
department.
Treasury Department
Tracks the payout of the money that goes towards VAT and other tax bills. Treasury is also charged
with planning liquidity on the basis of having the wherewithal of catering to financial needs
without affecting the continued operations.
Audit Department
Holds internal audits to ensure promptness with the International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS) and the Saudi tax regulations. This unit ensures that findings of VAT activities are
commendable, transparent and well documented to regulate their actions.
Closing Team Finance
Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial accounts. The activities of their work are in
tandem with activities of the VAT Department since they require accurate financial statements in
order to get reliable VAT calculation and reporting.
The interdependence among these departments makes the VAT compliance not its own isolated

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
process but brought under the financial governance of SABIC as a whole. As an example, the data
on VAT moves the Financial Closing Team to the VAT Department to be processed and the
payments are done by the Treasury Department upon confirmation by the Audit Department.
1.6 Process Chart of VAT Compliance and Reporting
1. SAP Data Extraction
All VATable transactions in terms of sales, purchases and expenses will be pulled off the SAP
ERP system in accordance to the concerned tax period.
2. Transaction Verification
Any extracted transaction is checked to make sure that VAT is properly calculated in Saudi VAT
legislation and company policy.
3. VAT Calculation
VAT output (on sales) and input (on purchases) are computed and the net amount to be paid or to
be refunded is decided.
4. Internal Review
The VAT report is checked by the VAT Manager and matched with the support documentation of
the VAT report to make it accurate.
5. Grpc to ZATCA
The VAT filing is transmitted through the recognized portal where it is directed to the Zakat, Tax
and Customs Authority electronically.
6. Payment Processing
After the VAT liability has been determined, the Treasury Department remits the liability to

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
ZATCA before the statutory deadline.
7. Record Archiving
All documents that touch on VAT are archived in accordance with the law on record keeping and
can be referred to at a future occasion or be used to audit them.
Such a process will keep SABIC within the confines of the tax rules but on the other hand, it will
be transparent and accurate with regard to financial reporting.
1.7 Accounting, Finance, IT, Quality, and Marketing Standards
SABIC complies with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), one of the standards
that offers globally accepted accounting standards based on transparency and dimensionality of
financial report. The IFRS is applicable in the process of VAT to record revenue, expenses, and
taxation.
Quality wise, SABIC adheres to ISO-certified quality management systems, which ensures that
the operations have standardized, controlled and continuously advancing operations. This goes
down to the processes of VAT where quality is measured by precision and punctuality.
IT-wise, SABIC uses powerful security measures to protect finance and taxation data. Internal IT
policies include security against cyber security, controls to access user, encryption of data and
periodic audits of the systems itself so as to guarantee integrity of data.
Although marketing does not have direct connection with VAT, the wider corporate marketing
principles focus on issues of trust, compliance, and reputation within the company, which are
enhanced by strict adherence to taxes and clear disclosure of the same.

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
1.8 SAP System Usage and STAR System Introduction
SAP

System

Usage

SABIC financial operation is based on the SAP ERP Finance Module. In operation of VAT SAP
is available to:
•

Book taxable and exempting transactions.

•

Compute automatically VAT on the predefined rules.

•

Transactions reports frequency.

•

support reconciliations between tax records and general ledger B accounts.

As part of my job, I processed VAT data, reconciliation reports, and ensured that the SAP entries
were in line with documentation of other departments, as well.
Introduction of STAR System
At the internship, SABIC embarked on the implementation of STAR which is a highly advanced
system of tax automation and is aimed to be directly integrated with the SAP and other financial
systems. The aim of STAR is:
•

Automation of data collection and check of VAT.

•

Minimize manual reconciliations.

•

Become more accurate and fast in reporting.

•

Smoothly meet the e-invoicing and tax submission requirements of ZATCA.

Some of the activities in which I was engaged were at the testing stage: verifying data imports,
verification of VAT calculation logics and cross-functional meetings to optimize the process in
STAR. It is through this exposure that I got to personally experience how big organizations have

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
embraced new technology in improving efficiency in their compliance.
Chapter 2: Internship Activities
2.1 Supervisor and Team
My field instructor during my co-op training at the VAT Department in SABIC was the VAT
Manager because he was my immediate supervisor. All matters relating to value-added tax
compliance, preparation of monthly returns, organizing audits were all the duty of the VAT
Manager.
The team members were VAT Analysts, Senior VAT Specialists and support staffs who dealt with
particular tasks involving reconciliation of particular transactions, checks and reporting of
compliance. All members could be characterized by the role assigned to each; however, the
department had a collaborative atmosphere where knowledge was shared. This framework allowed
me to have assistance of seasoned professionals and take-up responsibility to work when assigned.
The VAT Department also closely coordinated with the rest of the units of the Finance Division
including the Treasury Department (which pays tax) and the Audit Department (which ensures
that there is the adherence to the IFRS and tax regulations). This internalization also increased my
domain of exposure to the different kinds of financial operations that cannot be compared with
processing VAT alone.
2.2 Department Overview and Sub-Divisions
The Tax Department has another specialized sub-unit, namely, the VAT Department, whose sole
purpose is to deal with compliance with the legislation on VAT in Saudi Arabia. It has the
following working sub-divisions:

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
1. Data Analysis Team -This team would do the extraction and translation of the SAP
transaction data, validating and analysis of the data to determine which are taxable and
non-taxable.
2. Compliance Officers- Help in ensuring that all VAT returns are compliant to the
regulations, prepare all documentation as required by ZATCA, and ensure there are proper
records of VAT.
3. Treasury and Audit Liaisons-play the role of liaison or mediator between the VAT
Department, Treasury and Audit departments to make payments, solve audit questions and
correct discrepancies.
This framework enables the department to be efficient as it makes the entire process of VAT
compliance, including data collection, to final submission to be accurate and prompt.
2.3 Daily Tasks
My work experiences were varied daily according to the working cycle of VAT Department,
though the tasks were usually contained by:
SAP to TDS Transactions
Accessing the Finance module of SAP, I prepared reports of taxed sales and purchases in the
concerned VAT period. This involved the need to know the SAP reporting capabilities, filters, and
data extraction facilities.
Doing Reconciliations to Assure the Accuracy of VAT
To be sure VAT would be calculated correctly, I cross-checked extracted data with the general
ledger accounts and source documents. Disagreements were researched with the participation of

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
the responsible department.
VAT Documentation in a State of Readiness to be submitted to ZATCA
After reconciliations have been undertaken, I then helped in the preparation of the VAT return
package, its supporting schedules, tax computations and compliance certificates.
To Act on Audit Data Requests
As audits involved in both internal and external audits, I had presented the requested details of the
transactions, reconciliations, and documentation related to VAT to the auditors and compliance
officers.
Through these tasks, I was strengthened in my knowledge in the VAT cycle, as well as the role of
accuracy, timeliness and collaboration in financial reporting.
2.4 Meetings Attended
I was also required to visit a number of meetings in various departments as an aspect of my work.
These included:
1. VAT Compliance Strategy Sessions; Chaired by the VAT Manager to update on the next filing
dates and responsibilities as well as compliance news published by ZATCA.
2. Treasury Coordination Meetings -These meetings centre around planning and implementation
of VAT payments following the approval of a return. Negotiations would usually involve cash
flow and timing of payment.
3. Financial Closing Reviews -Some work included reviewing closing, both month-end and
quarter end, and ensuring that VAT entries were made correctly on the financial statements.
4. STAR System Design Workshops – Cross-sector discussions with IT, Finance and Tax teams

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
to identify system requirements, test workflows, and devise how STAR will integrate with SAP.
Such departmental meetings did not only help me understand how the department works but also
assisted me in developing my professional communication skills because I had to actively
participate in meetings and take notes.
2.5 STAR System Involvement
The most obvious experience that happened throughout my internship was the process of the
implementation of the STAR system. It was a new tax automation platform that should enhance
the accuracy of data, limit manual processing, and comply with the e-invoicing and the VAT
reporting requirements.
I contributed:
•

Helping in data mapping whereby VAT data (in SAP) was properly loaded into STAR
database.

•

My involvement in workflow testing where I performed test cases to ensure that the
calculations of the tax were correct and were in accordance to the standards of ZATCA.

•

Giving feedback on the integration problems, e.g. the differences between SAP and STAR
products, which contributed to correcting the rules in a system before its complete
implementation.

This project has given me an opportunity to learn the process of implementation of new technology
by large-scale organisations in order to improve the performance of an organisation.
2.6 Skills Gained

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
Technical Skills:
•

Skilled in SAP Finance Module especially in production of VAT reports and carrying out
reconciliations.

•

Knowledge of how VAT is calculated, how compliance is done, and regulatory filing
guidelines.

•

STAR implementation has exposed them to the automation systems of taxation.

Soft Skills:
•

Increased problem solving abilities through detection and correction of VAT differences.

•

Better team-work and collaboration, collaboration with several departments.

•

Expanded interaction skills in writing news reports, holding meetings and inter
departmental liaisons.

Regulatory Knowledge:
•

An in-depth knowledge of Saudi government tax regulations, the requirements of the
ZATCA, and audit procedures.

2.7 Theory vs Practice Comparison Table
Academic Course

Related Internship Task

Taxation Principles

Preparation of VAT filings in compliance with Saudi tax laws.

Financial Accounting Reconciliation of SAP transactions with general ledger accounts.
Corporate Finance

Analyzing VAT payment impact during Treasury coordination meetings.

Auditing

Providing VAT-related data for audit verification.

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
2.8 Work Samples
Though the confidentiality policies do not allow me to reveal real data of the company, the samples
of works I had to prepare included:
•

VAT Reconciliation Sheets- A summary of sales made, purchases and any net VAT to be
paid/refunded.

•

STAR Data Mapping Diagrams- How VAT data in SAP was converted and imported it
into STAR.

•

Meeting Notes -Record important things done during compliance and project meeting.

The deliverables were technical in nature as well as detailed and therefore played critical roles in
execution of the tasks.
2.9 Lessons Learned
1.

Importance

of

Accuracy

in

Tax

Data

Even small errors in VAT calculations can lead to regulatory penalties or reputational damage.
This taught me the necessity of double-checking all data before submission.
2.

Value

of

Interdepartmental

Coordination

Effective VAT compliance relies on seamless communication between the VAT Department,
Treasury, Audit, and Financial Closing teams. Miscommunication can delay filings or cause
compliance risks.
3.

Necessity

of

Adapting

to

New

Systems

Quickly

The STAR project highlighted how technological changes require flexibility and a willingness to
learn rapidly. Adaptability is crucial for staying relevant in modern finance roles.

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
Chapter 3: Recommendations
3.1 Advantages
The other major strength of my co-op training at SABIC was the fact that I had direct access to
actual corporate data and enterprise-level tools. The exposure has enabled me to handle real
transactions in the financial world to enhance further knowledge of the VAT compliance
procedures under a live setting. It is unlike academic exercises based on the hypothetical case
studies; this was real information and data which needed a faultless validation and followed strict
guidelines which made my observational skills very sharp.
The other major benefit was the potential of working with both old and new systems. On the one
hand, the mature ERP system SAP is relatively easy to find; it offers stable and organized
conditions under which VAT is processed. Conversely, STAR project was an experience that
enabled me to observe and be part of the introduction of a new tax automation platform. This was
an ideal learning situation, where I was able to learn the merits of the tried and tested systems, and
at the same time get to comprehend the difficulties and innovations that were present in the
implementation of new technologies.
3.2 Challenges
The entire experience gained through the internship was very fruitful but there are some challenges
that I did face:
1. First Learning Curve of SAP
SAP software is a capable and intricate enterprise software. Being a person with no practical
experience in SAP before taking the internship, the first period demanded a lot of effort to become

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
familiar with the interface, reporting facilities and how to navigate through the transactions. The
problem that I managed to overcome was the lack of guidance on using the SAP functionality that
would apply in VAT processes by spending extra time after work on self-studying and asking
colleagues to practically demonstrate how to use SAP.
2. One is Adapting to Unfamiliar Processes of STAR
During my internship, the STAR system was at an early stage and most of the processes did not
have set rules and established workflow procedures. This necessitated flexibility, problem solving
and working in a dynamic environment. The changes that helped me to adapt were active
involvement in testing sessions, the early raising of questions that might be arising, and directing
the project leads to clarify things.
These issues turned out to be quite positive learning experiences, because they further enhanced
my capacity to learn fast, adjust to change and work effectively in dynamic places of work.
3.3 Suggestions for University
To my mind, the co-op preparation program, as I have experienced it at the university level, can
be improved in the following ways:
1. Make ERP System Basics Part of Curriculum
Exposure of students to ERP applications such as SAP before the internship places would shorten
the learning adoption path tremendously in the workplace. A brief course or even a workshop on
how to work the system, generate reports, and do basic reconciliations would place the students in
a better position to begin.
2. Provide Tax Compliance Seminars

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
An additional, special training regarding Saudi tax laws, such as VAT laws, ZATCA filing process,
and audit obligations, could be better prepared to students in order to be ready to have such settings
and requirements in terms of their placements in the field of finance. Knowing these notions before
starting would enable the interns to be more productive right at the start.
3.4 Suggestions for SABIC
As an intern, I think that SABIC can make the co-op experience even more effective by conducting
the following initiatives:
1. Offer Interns a Well Organized Welcome Guide
The availability of an on-boarding manual that will detail the processes, contacts, and common
SAP transactions used by the VAT Department will ensure the interns feel like they are part of the
team and learn to become productive quickly.
2. Engage Interns Dwelling More in Stages of System Deployment
In case of technology implementation initiative projects such as STAR, engagement of interns at
earlier stages of planning and design would give them a better insight into the project lifecycle,
including initial requirements gathering and final deployment.
These recommendations will help improve the learning as well as the onboarding process of the
VAT Department in terms of the efficiency with which interns can learn.
Conclusion
My internship at SABIC VAT Department has also been an enlightening professional experience
as it has enabled me to bridge the gap between what I have learned in academics and how it can
be applied effectively in a practical situation in the real corporate world. Involved hands-on in

College of Administration and Finance Sciences
VAT compliances, data reconciliation, audit preparation and system testing has provided me with
technical knowledge about SAP and exposure in developing tax automation tools such as STAR.
The experience has also enhance my analytical skills in the sense that, I have learned to establish
discordance, verify data and ensure the adherence of Saudi VAT regulations. The skill of
collaboration and communication with other employees working in different departments was
enhanced by the fact that I interacted with them on a daily basis, whereas problem-solving
decision-making abilities were enhanced by tackling issues in both older systems as well as new
technology.
All in all, the co-op forum has equipped me to take a professional career in the field of finance,
taxation, and corporate compliance. I am able to say that not only do I leave with greater technical
knowledge; I also have a better understanding of how VAT works, as well as confidence in being
able to contribute in demanding, dynamic business environments.

Course Name:

Student’s Name:

Course Code:

Student’s ID Number:

Semester:

CRN:
Academic Year: 144 /144 H

For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:
Students’ Grade:

Level of Marks:

Secondary address separator

Secondary address

Text
Text

Text
Text

Thank You

Purchase answer to see full
attachment