Internal Audit Services in the UAE

Independent internal audit reviews that test your controls, flag risk and give management and the board evidence-based assurance.

Our internal audit team reviews your operational, financial and compliance controls against how the business actually runs, not a generic checklist, so findings are specific enough to act on. Engagements can be a one-off review, a standing quarterly programme, or targeted work on a single process such as procurement or payroll.

Internal audit findings feed directly into your management reporting and, where a Relevant Activity applies, support your AML compliance obligations, so control weaknesses get fixed rather than just documented.

What an Internal Audit Covers

Procure-to-pay: approvals, supplier onboarding and payment controls
Order-to-cash: pricing, credit control and revenue recognition
Payroll and HR: joiners, leavers and payment accuracy
Inventory and fixed assets: custody, counts and write-offs
Compliance: VAT, Corporate Tax and regulatory filings

Our Approach

We agree scope with management and the board, walk through the process as it is actually run, test a sample of transactions and rate each finding by risk. The report gives a clear owner and date for every action, and we follow up to confirm closure.

Internal vs External Audit

Internal audit is about controls and risk, and is for management. An external audit is an independent opinion on the financial statements, for shareholders, banks and regulators. Many clients use both: internal audit to find the weaknesses, external audit to confirm the accounts.

This service is part of our Audit & Assurance practice. See the full overview: External Audit Services in the UAE.

Often needed together with: Stock & Inventory Audit Services in the UAE, Company Liquidation & Insolvency Services in the UAE.

Also see: 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

Risk-based audit scope built around your actual operations
Clear findings ranked by severity, not a generic tick-box report
Follow-up review to confirm corrective actions were implemented
Reports written for both management and the board

Our Process

Scope the audit and agree the risk areas to test
Fieldwork: review documentation, controls and transactions
Report findings with a prioritised action plan
Follow-up review on remediation

Frequently Asked Questions

How is internal audit different from external audit?

Internal audit reviews your own controls and processes to help management improve them, and is not a statutory requirement. External audit is an independent opinion on your financial statements, often required for shareholders, banks or regulators.

How often should we run an internal audit?

It depends on your risk profile and size. Many businesses run a full review annually with lighter quarterly checks on higher-risk areas such as cash handling, procurement or payroll.

Can internal audit cover just one department or process?

Yes. We regularly scope engagements around a single process, such as inventory, procurement or payroll, rather than the whole business.

Do you report to the board directly?

We can present findings directly to the board or audit committee where that is how your governance is structured, alongside the management report.

What happens if the audit finds a serious control weakness?

We flag it immediately rather than waiting for the final report, and work with you on an interim fix while the full report and remediation plan are finalised.

Does internal audit help with AML and other regulatory compliance obligations?

Yes, a well-run internal audit programme is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate to regulators that your controls are actually working, not just documented on paper.