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Audit Services in Abu Dhabi

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Audit & Accounting Firm in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Farahat & Co. is an established audit firm in Abu Dhabi, helping mainland companies, free zone entities, and government-related businesses meet their statutory and financial reporting obligations.

Businesses in Abu Dhabi operate under a mix of mainland regulations, free zone requirements, and Corporate Tax and VAT obligations that all rely on accurate, audited financial statements. Whether an audit is mandatory under your license terms or requested by a bank, investor, or parent company, the quality of the audit affects how confidently stakeholders can rely on your numbers.

We work with mainland LLCs licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, free zone companies in ADGM, KIZAD, Masdar City, and twofour54, and government-related entities that fall under Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority oversight.

  • Statutory and external audits aligned with International Standards on Auditing and free zone filing deadlines
  • Internal audits covering internal controls, risk areas, and process weaknesses
  • Free zone renewal audits for ADGM, KIZAD, Masdar City, twofour54, and Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone companies
  • Audit support for Corporate Tax and VAT filings, ensuring financial records reconcile with FTA submissions

Our certified auditors bring practical, industry-specific experience to each engagement, giving management clear observations rather than a generic checklist report.

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Who Needs Audit Services in Abu Dhabi?

Audit requirements in Abu Dhabi differ depending on your license authority and business structure. The categories below cover the businesses that most commonly need audited financial statements in the emirate.

Mainland companies under ADDED

Mainland LLCs licensed through the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development are not always legally required to audit, but many choose to do so for bank facilities, investor reporting, or internal governance. Audited statements also support smoother Corporate Tax filing since the FTA expects tax computations to trace back to properly maintained financial records.

ADGM-registered companies

Companies registered in Abu Dhabi Global Market must file audited financial statements annually with the ADGM Registration Authority as part of their ongoing compliance obligations. ADGM audits follow International Financial Reporting Standards and must be completed by a firm on the ADGM’s approved auditor list.

Free zone companies (KIZAD, Masdar City, twofour54)

Businesses licensed in Abu Dhabi’s industrial and specialised free zones typically need audited financial statements to renew their trade license each year. Requirements and submission formats vary by free zone authority, so the audit scope should match the specific renewal checklist.

Government-related entities

Entities that fall under Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority oversight are subject to additional reporting and audit expectations beyond standard commercial requirements, including specific disclosure and governance standards set by ADAA.

SMEs seeking bank finance or investment

Businesses applying for bank facilities, seeking investors, or preparing for a sale or merger are frequently asked to provide audited financial statements as part of the due diligence process, even where an audit is not otherwise mandatory.

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Who Needs Audit Services in Abu Dhabi

Types of Audit and Assurance Services We Offer in Abu Dhabi

Our audit and assurance services in Abu Dhabi cover the full range of engagements businesses in the emirate typically require, from statutory financial statement audits to focused internal reviews.

External / Statutory Audit

An independent examination of your financial statements to confirm they present a true and fair view in accordance with applicable accounting standards. This is the audit type most commonly required for free zone renewal, bank reporting, and shareholder disclosure in Abu Dhabi.

Internal Audit

A review of internal controls, risk management processes, and operational efficiency. Internal audits help management identify weaknesses before they affect the external audit or create compliance exposure.

Forensic and Investigative Audit

Used where a business suspects fraud, financial irregularity, or needs an independent report for a dispute or court matter. Our forensic auditors document findings in a format suitable for legal or regulatory proceedings.

Due Diligence Audit

Conducted ahead of a merger, acquisition, or investment, reviewing the target company’s financial position, liabilities, and risk exposure to support the transaction decision.

Review and Compilation Engagements

Lighter-touch engagements for businesses that need professionally reviewed or compiled financial statements without a full audit opinion, often used for internal reporting or interim bank submissions.

Audit and Assurance Services

Abu Dhabi Free Zone Audit Requirements

Abu Dhabi’s free zones each set their own audit and financial reporting rules, and a generic audit approach does not always meet the specific submission format each authority expects. Our audit firm in Abu Dhabi structures engagements around the requirements of the free zone where your license is held.

ADGM companies must submit audited financial statements prepared under IFRS through the ADGM’s online filing portal, and the auditor must appear on ADGM’s approved list. KIZAD and Masdar City businesses generally need audited statements as part of annual license renewal, with the audit scope tied to the company’s activity classification. twofour54 companies, largely in media and creative industries, face renewal audit requirements that also account for royalty and revenue-sharing arrangements common in that sector.

Missing a free zone’s specific submission format or deadline can delay license renewal, so confirming the exact requirement for your free zone before the audit begins saves time later in the process.

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Who Needs Audit Services in Abu Dhabi

Our Audit Process for Abu Dhabi Businesses

We follow a structured process for every audit engagement in Abu Dhabi, adjusted for your license type and reporting deadline.

Planning and scoping

We review your business structure, license type, and prior year records to define the audit scope, identify key risk areas, and confirm the applicable reporting deadline, whether that is a free zone renewal date or a Corporate Tax filing window.

Fieldwork and testing

Our auditors test transactions, review supporting documentation, confirm bank balances, and assess internal controls in line with International Standards on Auditing.

Draft findings and management discussion

Draft observations are shared with management before the report is finalised, giving you the opportunity to clarify or provide additional documentation where needed.

Final report and filing support

We issue the final audit report in the format required by your license authority and support submission where the free zone or authority requires the audit firm to file directly.

Financial Statements Reviewed During an Audit

Documents Required for an Audit in Abu Dhabi

Having these documents ready before the audit begins helps keep the engagement on schedule and reduces back-and-forth during fieldwork.

Company and registration documents

Trade license, Memorandum and Articles of Association, and share certificates or shareholder register.

Financial records

Bank statements and confirmation letters for the full financial year, trial balance, general ledger, and fixed asset register with depreciation schedules.

Tax and compliance documents

VAT registration certificate and return filings, and Corporate Tax registration details where applicable.

Supporting records

Lease agreements, sales and purchase invoices, payroll records, and contracts related to significant transactions during the year.

Common Audit Mistakes and Risks

Compliance and Regulatory Framework for Audits in Abu Dhabi

Audits in Abu Dhabi are shaped by more than one regulatory layer, and which layers apply depends on your license authority. Mainland companies fall under the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development for licensing, with Corporate Tax and VAT compliance overseen federally by the Federal Tax Authority.

ADGM companies answer to the ADGM Registration Authority and, for regulated financial activity, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, both of which expect IFRS-based audited statements filed through ADGM’s own systems.

Government-related entities are subject to Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority oversight, which sets additional disclosure and governance expectations beyond standard commercial audit requirements.

Our audit team keeps engagements aligned with whichever combination of these frameworks applies to your business, so the final report meets the expectations of your specific license authority rather than a generic template.

Why Choose Farahat and Co for Audit Services in Abu Dhabi

How Farahat & Co. Can Help With Audit Services in Abu Dhabi

Since 1985, we have supported mainland, free zone, and government-related businesses across Abu Dhabi with audit and assurance services aligned to their specific license and reporting requirements.

Our certified auditors work across ADGM, KIZAD, Masdar City, twofour54, and mainland engagements, giving us direct familiarity with the submission formats each authority expects. We take a practical approach that keeps the audit process manageable for management while giving regulators, banks, and investors the assurance they need.

If your business needs an audit in Abu Dhabi, whether for free zone renewal, Corporate Tax alignment, or investor reporting, our team is ready to scope the engagement around your specific requirements.

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Important FAQs on Audit Services in Abu Dhabi

Is an audit mandatory for mainland companies in Abu Dhabi?

Mainland companies licensed through the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development are not always required by law to submit an audit, though many choose to for bank finance, investor reporting, or to support Corporate Tax filings. Free zone and ADGM companies generally face stricter audit obligations tied to license renewal.

Do ADGM companies need an ADGM-approved auditor?

Yes. ADGM requires audited financial statements to be prepared under IFRS and filed by an auditor on ADGM’s approved list, submitted through the ADGM’s online filing portal as part of annual compliance.

How long does an audit take for a business in Abu Dhabi?

Most audits take between two and six weeks depending on the size of the business, the completeness of financial records, and the free zone or authority’s filing format. Businesses that prepare documentation in advance typically move through the process faster.

Can an audit support my Corporate Tax filing?

Yes. Corporate Tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 is calculated from IFRS-based net profit, so a properly conducted audit helps confirm that the figures used in your Corporate Tax return reconcile with your underlying financial records.

What happens if I miss my free zone's audit renewal deadline?

Missing an audit submission deadline can delay trade license renewal in most Abu Dhabi free zones, and in some cases may trigger additional compliance follow-up from the authority. Starting the audit engagement well ahead of the renewal date avoids this.

How can Farahat & Co. help with my Abu Dhabi audit?

Our team scopes each engagement around your specific license authority, whether that is ADDED, ADGM, KIZAD, Masdar City, or twofour54, so the final audit report matches what your regulator or free zone actually requires. Contact us to discuss your requirements and receive a quote tailored to your business.
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