External Audit Services in the UAE

Independent statutory and voluntary external audits, plus assurance reporting for shareholders, banks and regulators.

We carry out independent external audits of your annual financial statements, whether required by your free zone authority, your Mainland licence, your shareholders or a lender. Our sign-off gives the people relying on your numbers, whether that is a bank, an investor or a regulator, confidence the figures are fairly stated.

Where your structure also needs formal assurance for shareholders or regulators beyond the standard audit opinion, such as a special-purpose report, we scope and deliver that alongside the main engagement, and coordinate with your bookkeeping and Corporate Tax filings so the numbers tie out across every filing.

When a UAE Company Needs an External Audit

  • Your free zone authority requires audited statements at licence renewal
  • Your company is a Qualifying Free Zone Person for Corporate Tax, or its revenue exceeds AED 50 million
  • A bank, investor or landlord asks for audited accounts
  • You are closing the company and need a liquidation audit report

How Our Audit Works

We plan the audit around your risks, test balances and transactions, confirm key balances such as bank and receivables, then issue an opinion under International Standards on Auditing. You see findings before the report is final, so there are no surprises on signing day.

Making the Audit Faster

Audit-ready books shorten the process. Reconciled bank accounts, a fixed asset register, stock count sheets and signed contracts are what the auditor asks for first. Our bookkeeping team can prepare these, and a stock audit covers inventory-heavy businesses.

Audit & Assurance: Services in This Area

Related practice areas: Accounting & Bookkeeping Services in Dubai, Corporate Tax Registration & Filing Services in the UAE.

Where We Provide This Service

Accounting services in Bur Dubai · Accounting services in DMCC · Accounting services in JAFZA · Accounting services in IFZA · Accounting services in Meydan · Accounting services in Abu Dhabi · Accounting services in Sharjah

Key Benefits

  • Independent audit opinion accepted by banks, free zones and regulators
  • Assurance reporting to shareholders or regulators beyond the standard opinion
  • Coordinated with your existing bookkeeping so figures reconcile first time
  • Clear management letter on control weaknesses found during fieldwork

Our Process

  1. Planning: understand your business and assess audit risk
  2. Fieldwork: test balances, transactions and supporting evidence
  3. Reporting: issue the audit opinion and management letter
  4. Close-out: discuss findings and next year's planning

Frequently Asked Questions

Which UAE free zones require an annual audit?

Most major free zones, including DMCC, JAFZA, IFZA and Meydan, require an annual audited financial statement as part of licence renewal, though the exact requirement depends on your specific free zone and licence type.

Do Mainland companies need an external audit?

Requirements vary by activity, licence type and emirate, and some Mainland licences require an audit for renewal or for specific transactions such as liquidation. We can confirm what applies to your licence.

How long does an external audit take?

For a straightforward SME, fieldwork and reporting typically take two to four weeks once your records are complete, though this depends on the size and complexity of the business.

What do auditors need from us to get started?

Bank statements, your trial balance, supporting invoices and contracts, and access to your accounting records for the period being audited.

Can you audit a company you also do the bookkeeping for?

Independence rules mean the same team cannot both prepare and audit the same financial statements. We can advise on how to structure this to satisfy your regulator or shareholders.

Do you provide assurance reports beyond the standard audit opinion?

Yes, we scope special-purpose assurance engagements for shareholders or regulators, such as reporting on specific balances, compliance matters or transactions, separately from the standard annual audit.