Accounting services in UAE
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Accounting services in the UAE cover the essentials—accurate books, compliant tax, and clear reports—across the Dubai and Abu Dhabi skylines, free zone hubs, and within the GCC. Teams deliver bookkeeping & backlog updates, management accounts, and cash-flow visibility through the best online tools and automation, so you can outsource routine work and keep professional supervision in place. VAT and corporate tax advisory, registration, and filing align with FTA rules, while payroll and WPS support keep regular cycles on time and error-light. Delivery is flexible—outsourcing with outsourced and virtual options, secondment into your team, or full-time and part-time support—so finance scales with operations. Sector coverage spans construction, event management, marine, crypto, e-commerce, restaurant, and insurance, serving startups, SMEs, and family groups like Almulla across the region at affordable cost. The result is top financial reporting you can trust and maintain, with clear responsibilities, audit-ready records, and the ability to outsource what you need without losing control.
Expertise in local and international standards
What are the Legal Requirements in Accounting in the UAE ?
VAT and tax regulations
The introduction of VAT in 2018 was a significant change for businesses operating in the UAE. With VAT at 5%, companies are required to register, track, and report their VAT obligations accurately and on time. Additionally, corporate tax was introduced in 2023 for most businesses, which requires companies to comply with new tax rates, regulations, and reporting requirements. The UAE tax system is still relatively new and evolving, making it essential for businesses to have expert accounting support to stay compliant and optimize tax planning.
Economic Substance Regulations
The UAE has strict Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) in place to ensure that businesses registered in the UAE are genuinely operating within the country and not just using it as a tax haven. These regulations require companies conducting certain business activities to have a physical presence and actual operations in the UAE. Navigating these complex regulations requires a thorough understanding of which activities are covered, what documentation is needed, and how to ensure compliance. Legarithm can provide the necessary support to meet these requirements and avoid penalties.
Free Zone Regulations
The UAE has numerous Free Zones, each with its own set of rules, regulations, and tax advantages. Companies operating in these Free Zones often benefit from tax exemptions or lower rates, but these advantages come with specific compliance requirements. Some Free Zones may have unique accounting, reporting, and audit needs depending on the industry. The complexity of managing accounting in different Free Zones, particularly with varying tax rates, reporting obligations, and operational requirements, necessitates specialized accounting services to ensure businesses are meeting the right standards for each Free Zone they operate in.
High regulatory standards for financial transparency
The UAE has been moving toward greater financial transparency, especially in the context of anti-money laundering (AML) laws and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). This requires businesses to maintain meticulous records and ensure that their financial reporting adheres to international standards of accountability.
5 STEPS TO OBTAINING ACCOUNTING SUPPORT
Company Registration and Bank Account Opening
Every company in the UAE must be registered in accordance with the requirements of the relevant local authority – for instance, the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland businesses or the appropriate free zone authority. Once registered, it is essential to open a corporate bank account to separate personal funds from business finances.
Maintaining Accounting Records and Financial Documentation
Businesses are required to maintain detailed records of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities. All financial documents (such as contracts, invoices, and bank statements) must be kept for a minimum of 5 years. A systematic approach to accounting helps prevent tax issues and minimizes financial risks.
Tax Administration (VAT, Corporate Tax, Tax Returns)
When a company’s annual turnover exceeds the prescribed threshold (for example, AED 375,000 for VAT registration), it must register for VAT and submit periodic reports. Additionally, with the introduction of corporate tax for many businesses since 2023, companies are required to file annual tax returns with the relevant authorities.
Annual Financial Reporting and Audit (if required)
Companies must prepare and submit annual financial statements in compliance with regulatory standards. If a company meets certain criteria based on revenue, asset size, or employee count, it is required to undergo an audit, which enhances the transparency of its financial operations.
Adhering to the Tax Calendar and Legal Compliance
It is crucial to monitor and adhere to deadlines for submitting financial reports, paying taxes, and updating accounting records. Timely compliance helps avoid penalties or sanctions from regulatory bodies, ensuring stable and transparent financial management in the UAE.
| Service | What it covers | Deliverables and reporting | Frequency | Delivery model | Tools and automation | UAE compliance touchpoints | Who it suits | Industries and use cases | Locations covered | Pricing model | Onboarding essentials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping (regular) | Day-to-day accounting, posting sales, purchases, expenses, bank feeds, petty cash | Clean ledger, VAT-ready books, monthly P&L, balance sheet, cash flow | Weekly or monthly | Online, virtual, outsourced | Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books, bank rules, OCR | FTA VAT records, IFRS, UBO data capture | Startups, SMEs | Retail, restaurant, e-commerce | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, free zones, within GCC | Fixed monthly fee (affordable tiers) | Trade license, MoA, bank statements, prior TB, chart of accounts |
| Backlog clean-up | Recreate missing periods, fix errors, reconcile gaps since incorporation | Catch-up journals, reconciliation packs, revenue/expense roll-forwards | One-off project | Outsource team | Xero + importers, Excel power queries | Evidence for VAT/corporate tax audits | New entities, companies behind on books | Any sector with historical backlog | UAE + GCC groups | Project-based fee | All invoices, bank statements, payroll records, contracts |
| Accounts payable outsourcing | Vendor onboarding, 3-way match, approvals, payment runs | AP aging, due date calendar, batch payments, audit trail | Weekly | Outsourced, shared service | Dext/OCR, approval workflows, bank APIs | Proper documentation for VAT recovery | SMEs, fast-scaling firms | Construction, event management, marine, insurance | UAE wide | Per invoice or retainer | Supplier master, approval matrix, PO policy |
| Accounts receivable and credit control | Invoicing, collections, credit limits, customer statements | AR aging, DSO, dunning letters, cash application | Weekly | Online, virtual | E-invoicing tools, CRM links (Salesforce), payment gateways | VAT tax invoice format, evidence of supply | B2B and B2C | E-commerce, SaaS, logistics | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Retainer + success fee (collections) | Price lists, contract terms, CRM access |
| Account reconciliation | Banks, wallets, clearing, intercompany, suspense cleanup | Bank recs, GL to sub-ledger tie-outs, IC confirmations | Monthly or quarterly | Outsourced | Bank feeds, rule-based matching | Audit-ready reconciliations | Any company | Multi-entity groups | UAE + GCC | Fixed per account | Bank access (read-only), schedules, prior recs |
| Payroll and WPS | Salary calculations, leaves, EOSB, WPS files, benefits | WPS file, payslips, payroll ledger, gratuity schedule | Monthly | Online or secondment | Payroll modules, WPS portals | UAE labor law, WPS, GOSI (GCC where relevant) | SMEs, corporates | Restaurant, construction, event crew | All emirates | Per employee or fixed | Employee master, contracts, leave policy |
| VAT registration, filing and advisory | TRN, VAT returns, refunds, health check, VAT group | VAT returns, penalty risk notes, input/output summaries | Quarterly (standard) | Outsourced, advisory | FTA portal, return builders | FTA VAT Decree-Law and Exec Regs | Startups to large | All sectors | UAE | Fixed per return or retainer | TRN docs, invoices, customs import data |
| Corporate tax registration and filing | CT registration, computations, adjustments, returns | CT working papers, returns, deferred tax notes | Annual, with quarterlies as needed | Advisory, outsourced | CT calculators, ERP extracts | UAE Corporate Tax Law, transfer pricing basics | SMEs, groups | Holdings, free zone qualifying income review | UAE | Fixed + complexity | Financials, related-party list, intercompany agreements |
| Financial reporting and statements | IFRS financials, management reports, audit packs | P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, notes, KPIs, dashboards | Monthly or quarterly | Online, virtual | Power BI, Google Data Studio, Excel models | IFRS presentation, FTA tie-in for audits | Founders, boards, investors | Any sector | UAE + GCC | Retainer | Trial balance, policies, prior year FS |
| Virtual CFO and advisory | Budgeting, forecasting, pricing, cash strategy, board packs | Rolling forecasts, variance analysis, cash runway | Monthly | Virtual, part-time | FP&A models, scenario tools | Governance best practice | Startups, scale-ups | Tech, e-commerce, crypto exchanges | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Part-time subscription | Strategic plan, KPIs, cap table (if any) |
| Audit readiness and supervision | Pre-audit review, schedules, auditor liaison | PBC lists, lead schedules, query log closure | Annual | Supervision, outsourced | Close checklists | External audit standards, ESR support | Any audited entity | Manufacturing, real estate | UAE | Project fee | GL, fixed asset register, contracts, leases |
| Accounting supervision service | Oversight for in-house bookkeepers, monthly review | Review memos, corrections, compliance reminders | Monthly or quarterly | Supervision | Checklists, review notes | VAT/CT compliance, IFRS | SMEs with internal staff | Any | UAE | Fixed | System access, policies, trial balance |
| Outsourced accountant (online) | End-to-end accounting without in-house hire | Full books, tax-ready, dashboards | Weekly to monthly | Online, virtual, outsourced | Cloud stack, workflows | VAT, CT, payroll, WPS | Cost-conscious teams | Startups, SMEs | UAE + GCC | Retainer (affordable) | Access, docs, approval flows |
| Secondment (on-site) | Placing staff full-time or part-time at client | On-site support, continuity, knowledge transfer | Regular | Full-time or part-time | Client ERP | Internal controls, segregation of duties | Larger SMEs, corporates | Construction sites, warehouses | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Day rate or monthly | Role profile, access cards, SOPs |
| ERP and cloud automation | Setup and migration to Xero/FinancialForce, Salesforce links | Configured system, SOPs, training, automation map | One-off + hypercare | Project | Xero, FinancialForce, Salesforce, OCR, RPA | Audit trail, access control | Scaling firms | E-commerce, services | UAE | Project fee | COA design, data extract, user roles |
| E-commerce accounting | Marketplaces, gateways, COD, returns, fees | Channel P&L, gateway reconciliations, VAT on cross-border | Monthly | Online, outsourced | A2X, gateway APIs, inventory sync | VAT on exports/imports, OSS equivalents where relevant | Online sellers | Amazon, Noon, Shopify | UAE + GCC | Retainer | Store access, gateway creds, SKU map |
| Crypto bookkeeping and controls | Wallet tracking, fiat on/off ramps, fair value | Wallet roll-forward, realized/unrealized gains | Monthly | Advisory + outsource | Chain explorers, pricing oracles | Tax position notes, AML lens | Web3 startups | Exchanges, OTC desks, miners | UAE (ADGM/DIFC where licensed) | Scope-based | Wallet lists, policy on tokens |
| Construction project accounting | WIP, cost codes, retention, variations | Job costing, WIP reports, retentions ledger | Monthly | On-site or virtual | Project accounting modules | FIDIC-aligned documentation, VAT on retention | Contractors, subcontractors | Civil, MEP | UAE | Retainer | Contracts, BOQs, site reports |
| Event management accounting | Project P&Ls, vendor advances, crew payroll | Event budget vs actual, per-event profitability | Per event | Outsourced | AP workflows, crew timesheets | VAT on tickets/sponsorships | Agencies, organizers | Concerts, expos | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | Per event | Event plan, rate cards, contracts |
| Restaurant and hospitality | POS integration, inventory, delivery apps | Daily sales Z-reports, COGS, menu engineering | Daily to monthly | Online or secondment | POS bridges, inventory apps | Service charge handling, WPS payroll | Cafes, QSRs, hotels | “Skylines” restaurant example | UAE | Retainer | POS access, recipes, supplier lists |
| Marine and shipping | Voyage accounting, bunker costs, port fees | Voyage P&L, demurrage claims tracking | Monthly | Outsourced | Industry templates | VAT on imports/exports, customs | Marine operators | “Almulla Marine” style use case | UAE ports | Retainer | Charter parties, port invoices |
| Insurance brokers support | Premium receivable, commission reconciliations | Brokerage P&L, insurer reconciliations | Monthly | Outsourced | Reconciliation tools | IFRS 17 awareness (as relevant), AML | Insurance brokers | Corporate and retail lines | UAE | Retainer | Policy bordereaux, insurer statements |
| Free zone company pack | Setup support for accounting, tax, filings | FS for license renewals, compliance calendar | Monthly/annual | Virtual | Cloud stack | Free zone rules (DMCC, IFZA, DIFC, ADGM) | Free zone SMEs | Services, trading, holding | Dubai, Abu Dhabi FZs | Tiered | License, portal access, lease |
| Startup essentials | Simple books, payroll lite, first VAT/CT | Cash runway, investor-ready reports | Monthly | Online | Startup-friendly tools | VAT thresholds, CT registration timing | Founders and teams | Tech, services | UAE | Low-cost bundle | KYC, cap table, budgets |
| GCC consolidation | Multi-entity, multi-currency group reporting | Consolidated FS, eliminations, FX impacts | Quarterly | Outsourced | Consolidation models | Country-specific VAT, ZATCA notes | Regional groups | KSA, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait | Within GCC | Scope-based | Entity list, charts, IC matrix |
| Compliance pack | ESR, AML, UBO registers, policies | Registers, filings, risk assessments | Annual with updates | Advisory | Policy templates | ESR notifications/filings, AML controls | Regulated and non-regulated | Professional services, holding | UAE | Fixed | Ownership charts, risk questionnaire |
| Management reporting and KPIs | KPI design, dashboards, board reporting | KPI deck, trends, benchmarks | Monthly | Virtual | BI dashboards | Decision-useful info aligned to tax-reported figures | Management teams | All | UAE + GCC | Retainer | KPI list, targets, access to data |
| Cash flow and treasury | 13-week cash flow, pay/collect strategy | Cash waterfall, variance, funding asks | Weekly | Online | Cash models, bank APIs | Liquidity controls | Any business | Growth and turnaround cases | UAE | Retainer | AR/AP data, bank limits |
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a questions?
What types of businesses can benefit from Legarithm’s accounting services?
Legarithm serves businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, across various industries including retail, manufacturing, real estate, hospitality, and professional services.
What documents do I need to provide to get started with your services?
To get started, you’ll need to provide essential documents such as your trade license, VAT registration certificate, financial statements, payroll records, and tax-related documents. A full list is provided in the article above.
How do you ensure compliance with UAE’s VAT and Corporate Tax regulations?
We stay up-to-date with UAE tax laws and ensure full compliance by managing VAT registration, VAT filings, corporate tax return preparation, and meeting other regulatory requirements.
Can you help with VAT refunds and VAT audits?
Yes, we assist with VAT refunds and provide support during VAT audits by ensuring all documentation is in order and guiding you through the process.
How do I know if my business is eligible for VAT registration in the UAE?
Your business must register for VAT if its taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 per year. Legarithm can assess your eligibility and assist with the VAT registration process.
What is Economic Substance, and do I need to comply?
Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) require certain businesses to have a substantial presence in the UAE. Legarithm can help you understand if your business needs to comply and assist with filing the necessary notifications.
What is the cost of your accounting services?
The cost of our services depends on the size and complexity of your business’s needs. We offer customized packages, and we can provide a personalized quote based on your requirements.
How long does it take to set up accounting services with Legarithm?
Setup time varies depending on your business’s needs and the completeness of your documents. Typically, it takes a few days to a couple of weeks to fully align and start providing services.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
Compliance & Regulatory Support:
Ensuring adherence to local regulations including VAT advisory, refund claims, customs duties, trade compliance, and transfer pricing documentation.
Financial Advisory & Consulting:
Expert support in investment and financing, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation, and tax planning—with tailored financial modeling and forecasting for informed decision-making.
Operational & Support Services:
End-to-end payroll and HR management (WPS Compliance), debt collection, digital transformation in accounting, as well as advisory on succession and estate planning, real estate accounting, foreign currency hedging, and risk management.
Stay in Touch with Us
We are always available
Our team ensures your UAE business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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