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Accounting and bookkeeping services for Dubai companies
Accounting Services

Accounting Services for Dubai Companies

Professional bookkeeping, financial reporting, and management accounts tailored to UAE companies. Supporting your corporate tax, VAT, and audit obligations from day one.

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Accounting services in Dubai have never been more critical. Since the UAE introduced corporate tax in June 2023 and VAT in January 2018, every business operating in the UAE faces a layered set of financial reporting and tax compliance obligations. Accurate, well-maintained accounting records are not simply good practice — they are a legal requirement, the foundation of your FTA filings, and a prerequisite for obtaining bank facilities, renewing your trade licence, and satisfying free zone audit requirements. Without proper books of account, your business faces penalties, audit complications, and risks to its banking relationships. Our professional accounting services for Dubai companies provide the complete financial infrastructure your business needs — from day-to-day bookkeeping through to year-end financial statements, payroll, tax accounting, and audit preparation. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

How We Onboard and Manage Your Accounting

1

Initial Review and Setup

We review your existing financial records, chart of accounts, and accounting software setup. For new companies, we establish your accounting framework from scratch — including a chart of accounts tailored to your industry, opening balance entries, and software configuration.

2

Monthly Bookkeeping Cycle

Each month we process all transactions, reconcile your bank accounts, update your accounts payable and receivable ledgers, process payroll journals, and post all necessary entries. Reconciled management accounts are delivered by an agreed date each month.

3

VAT Return Preparation and Filing

Each quarter (or month, depending on your FTA classification) we prepare your VAT return from the bookkeeping records, reconcile the return to your VAT ledger, and submit on the FTA portal by the deadline. We retain all supporting documentation required for potential FTA review.

4

Year-End Financial Statements

At each financial year-end we prepare complete IFRS financial statements with full supporting schedules, notes to the accounts, and an audit-ready file — delivered within an agreed timeframe after your year-end date.

5

Corporate Tax Return Preparation

We prepare your annual corporate tax computation from the IFRS financial statements, apply required adjustments, assess applicable reliefs including Small Business Relief and QFZP status, and prepare the tax return for FTA filing within the 9-month deadline.

6

Audit Liaison and Completion

We liaise directly with your appointed auditor, respond to all audit queries, provide supporting documentation, and assist with the finalisation of audited financial statements for free zone submission or bank requirements.

What We Need to Get Started

  • Access to your accounting software (or we set up a new account for you)
  • Bank account statements for all company accounts
  • Trade licence and company incorporation documents
  • Chart of accounts or existing trial balance (if applicable)
  • Details of any existing VAT or corporate tax registrations
  • Payroll information: employee contracts, salary schedules, and visa copies
  • Any existing financial statements or audit reports for prior periods

Indicative Accounting Service Costs

All fees are indicative and depend on transaction volume, complexity, and scope of services required. A fixed monthly retainer fee is agreed in advance to provide complete cost certainty.
Item Cost
Monthly bookkeeping (small company, up to 100 transactions) typically AED 1,500–3,000 per month
Monthly bookkeeping (medium company, 100–500 transactions) typically AED 3,000–7,000 per month
Annual IFRS financial statements preparation typically AED 3,000–8,000
Monthly payroll processing (up to 10 employees) typically AED 500–1,500 per month
Quarterly VAT return preparation and filing typically AED 800–2,000 per quarter
Annual corporate tax return preparation typically AED 3,000–8,000

Bookkeeping

Monthly recording of all financial transactions, bank reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable management, and accurate ledger maintenance.

Financial Reporting

IFRS-compliant income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and notes to accounts for year-end and interim reporting.

Management Accounts

Monthly or quarterly management reports providing clear visibility of revenue, margins, overheads, and cash flow for business decision-making.

Payroll Processing

Employee salary calculations, WPS-compliant payroll transfers, end-of-service gratuity, and leave balance tracking.

Tax Accounting

VAT accounting, corporate tax computations, and preparation of tax-ready financial statements for FTA compliance.

Audit Preparation

Full preparation of accounting records and financial statements to the standard required for statutory audits by your free zone or external auditor.

Frequently asked questions

Is accounting mandatory for all UAE companies?
Yes. All UAE businesses are required by law to maintain proper books of account. Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 (Companies Law) and the UAE Corporate Tax Law both impose record-keeping obligations. The FTA may request financial records at any time, and failure to maintain adequate records attracts administrative penalties.

Do I need IFRS-compliant accounts?
Most UAE free zones explicitly require IFRS-compliant financial statements for annual audits. The UAE Corporate Tax Law also references IFRS as the accounting standard for preparing tax returns. Banks typically require IFRS-standard accounts for credit facilities and international transfers. We prepare all financial statements to full IFRS standard.

How does accounting link to VAT and corporate tax?
Accurate bookkeeping is the absolute foundation for both VAT return filing and corporate tax return preparation. VAT returns are prepared directly from transaction-level records. The corporate tax return starts from your IFRS profit figure. Without complete, accurate financial records, neither can be filed correctly or on time, exposing you to FTA penalties.

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
Bookkeeping is the systematic, day-to-day recording of financial transactions — invoices, payments, bank entries. Accounting encompasses bookkeeping but extends to financial statement preparation, analysis, tax computations, management accounts, and strategic financial reporting. We provide the full scope from transaction recording through to tax return preparation.

Do free zone companies need audited accounts?
Most Dubai free zones require annual audited financial statements as a condition of licence renewal. DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, DAFZA, and Dubai Silicon Oasis all have formal audit requirements. The audit is conducted by an approved external auditor, and we prepare your books throughout the year to make the audit process efficient and cost-effective.

Do I need accounting support from day one?
Yes. Starting accounting records from the date of company formation is far more efficient and cost-effective than reconstructing financial history later. VAT obligations may arise within your first months of trading. Corporate tax registration must be completed promptly. Bank account opening typically requires a projected financial plan. We recommend implementing your accounting framework from the first month of operations.

Can you work with our existing accounting software?
Yes. We work with all major platforms including Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books, Sage, and others. We can manage the software entirely on your behalf, or review, quality-check, and complete records that you or your team maintain partially in-house.

What happens if my accounting records are incomplete or out of date?
We frequently assist companies that have fallen behind on their bookkeeping or have incomplete records. We conduct a catch-up exercise to reconstruct and reconcile records to the current date, using available bank statements, invoices, and other source documents. This is best addressed as early as possible to avoid compounding the backlog.

What is the accounting filing deadline for DMCC companies?
DMCC requires all member companies to submit audited financial statements prepared by a DMCC-approved auditor within 6 months of the financial year-end. For companies with a 31 December year-end, the DMCC audit submission deadline is 30 June of the following year. Failure to submit audited accounts on time can result in late fees and may block the annual licence renewal.

What are the accounting deadlines for Dubai South companies?
Dubai South requires audited financial statements to be submitted within 90 days of the financial year-end, which is one of the tighter free zone deadlines. For a 31 December year-end, this means submission by 31 March. Companies with a Dubai South licence should ensure their year-end close process is completed promptly to allow adequate time for the external audit.

Does my mainland LLC need to file financial statements with the DED?
Mainland DED-licensed companies do not file annual financial statements with the DED as part of the standard licence renewal process. However, they are required by UAE law to maintain proper books of account, and they must prepare IFRS financial statements as the basis for their corporate tax return. Banks will also require financial statements for any facility applications. We recommend preparing annual IFRS financial statements even where there is no formal filing requirement.

What does IFRS compliance require that my current accounts might not reflect?
Common areas where informal or non-IFRS accounts diverge from IFRS requirements include: failing to recognise operating leases as right-of-use assets (IFRS 16); recognising revenue when invoiced rather than following the 5-step IFRS 15 model; not accruing end-of-service gratuity liabilities correctly; missing related party transaction disclosures required by IAS 24; and not applying ECL (expected credit loss) provisions to trade receivables under IFRS 9. We review your existing accounts against IFRS requirements and identify any gaps before the annual audit.
The information on this website is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional advice. Regulations in the UAE may change. Please contact us or consult a licensed professional for specific advice tailored to your situation.