A study on listed companies' compliance with value-added tax: the evolving role of compliance officer in Oman

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine current companies’ compliance with value-added tax (VAT) and the evolving role of the compliance officer in the listed companies at Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), Oman.Design/methodology/approachThe study has collected various compliance measures set by Capital Market Authority (CMA) from 2011 to 2019. On top of the websites of CMA, MSX, Oman Tax Authority and other related websites, the paper has considered real data of specific compliance or disclosure measures set by CMA on all companies listed under MSX. The focused period from 2011 to 2019 is where CMA has provided disclosure data as part of mandatory disclosure requirements.FindingsThis paper identified that there is a lack of timely compliance by companies under the existing law, and these companies may face pressures for compliance with VAT enforcement in Oman. Therefore, to comply with the disclosure requirements of listed companies, there is a growing need to appoint a full-time compliance officer and do a compliance audit.Practical limitations/implicationsThe results of the study indicate the value of full-time compliance officers and compliance audits. The findings are able to aid in the appraisal of VAT accounting, compliance audit research, and in the selection of proper assessment methods and criteria.Originality/valueThis paper reviews the literature and provides new empirical analysis that are possibly beneficial for both scholars and accounting practitioners.