Audit Services in UAE
MOE (Ministry Of Economy) Approved Auditors
Audit & Assurance Services in the UAE
Independent audit work that satisfies regulators, banks, and shareholders, without disrupting how your business actually runs.
Farahat & Co. provides independent audit and assurance services for mainland companies, free zone entities, and branches across the UAE. Our audit work helps businesses meet regulatory requirements, maintain accurate financial records, and build confidence with shareholders, lenders, and authorities.
- Ministry of Economy approved, with auditor status recognised across more than 20 UAE free zones, including DIFC, DMCC, and JAFZA
- Recognised by UAE courts as an expert witness in financial and accounting disputes
- Registered with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), connecting our audit work directly to VAT and corporate tax compliance
Since 1985, our audit team has combined multi-industry experience with a clear, practical approach, focused on what your business actually needs rather than a one-size-fits-all engagement.
What Is an Audit, and Who Needs One in the UAE?
An audit is an independent examination of a company’s financial statements and underlying records, resulting in a formal opinion on whether those statements present a true and fair view of the business’s financial position.
Auditing is mandatory for a wide range of UAE businesses, depending on legal structure, licensing authority, and sector. This generally includes:
- Mainland companies structured as joint stock companies or limited liability companies under the Commercial Companies Law
- Free zone entities, where most authorities require audited financial statements annually as a condition of licence renewal
- Regulated financial institutions, including entities supervised by the Central Bank, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), or the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
- Real estate developers and property management entities, particularly those regulated by RERA
- Businesses seeking Qualifying Free Zone Person status under UAE Corporate Tax Law, where audited financial statements support the 0% tax rate on qualifying income
Even where an audit is not strictly mandatory, many businesses commission one voluntarily to satisfy bank financing requirements, reassure investors, or maintain internal financial discipline.
Legal Framework for Audits in the UAE
UAE audit requirements are set out across federal law and jurisdiction-specific regulations, and the applicable framework depends on where a company is incorporated.
- Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021): requires every joint stock company and limited liability company to appoint one or more auditors to examine its books annually, applying IFRS or IAS to give a clear and accurate view of the company’s financial position. The board must approve the accounts and forward them, together with the auditor’s report, to the General Assembly within four months of the end of the fiscal year.
- Free zone-specific circulars: individual free zone authorities issue their own filing requirements and deadlines. For example, under DDA Circular 421, FZ-LLC and branch companies licensed under the Dubai Development Authority must submit audited financial statements within the authority’s specified window, with financial penalties for late submission.
- Auditor rotation: under UAE legislation, the maximum term for retaining the same external auditor is three years, after which rotation to a new firm is required.
- Corporate Tax Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022): audited financial statements support a company’s Qualifying Free Zone Person position, and are mandatory for any taxable person with revenue exceeding AED 50 million, under Ministerial Decision No. 84 of 2025.
Because requirements vary by entity type and jurisdiction, confirming the correct legal basis and deadline early avoids last-minute compliance issues.
Audit & Assurance Services We Offer
We provide a full range of audit services for businesses across the UAE, from statutory requirements through to specialist investigations.
- External / Statutory Audit: an independent review of your financial statements, balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow, required by law for many UAE businesses and essential for banks, investors, and shareholders.
- Internal Audit: a review of your internal controls, governance, and operational processes, identifying weaknesses and compliance gaps before they become bigger problems.
- Compliance Audit: checks whether your business is following applicable laws, including tax, labour, AML, and economic substance regulations, helping you avoid penalties and stay in good standing.
- VAT & Tax Audit: we help businesses maintain VAT-compliant records, prepare for FTA reviews, and address excise tax and corporate tax requirements.
- Forensic Audit: an investigation into suspected fraud, financial irregularities, or misstatements, relevant during mergers, acquisitions, or internal disputes.
- Operational Audit: reviews how your business runs, its processes, efficiency, and resource use, helping management reduce costs and improve performance.
- Special-Purpose Audits: including due diligence audits, inventory audits, payroll audits, and system audits, tailored to specific business needs or transactions.
As an Approved and trusted Audit Firm In UAE, Farahat Co. Offers Below Audit Services:
Audit Services Across UAE Free Zones
Farahat & Co. is an approved auditor across more than 20 UAE free zones, each with its own filing deadlines, submission portals, and regulatory framework. Explore audit requirements and approved auditor services for your specific free zone below.
Our Support for VAT, Excise Tax, and Tax Compliance
Our audit services go beyond reviewing financial statements. We also help businesses strengthen compliance across VAT, excise tax, and wider tax obligations, particularly where record accuracy, reconciliations, and regulatory readiness matter most.
Our team supports clients with VAT reconciliations, record review, documentation checks, and audit-ready financial reporting. We also help businesses prepare for FTA reviews, identify compliance gaps, and improve the accuracy of the information behind their filings. Where needed, we assist with excise tax and corporate tax compliance, helping businesses manage regulatory requirements with greater confidence.
Audit & Assurance Pricing
Audit fees depend on transaction volume, business complexity, and the scope of work required. Farahat & Co. offers structured annual packages based on transaction volume:
Why Work with a Regulated Audit Firm?
Working with an approved, experienced audit firm gives your business more than a compliance report. It gives you:
- Accurate financials — records your stakeholders and lenders can rely on
- Regulatory compliance — no gaps that attract penalties or FTA scrutiny
- Fraud protection — independent oversight that deters and detects misuse
- Stronger internal controls — clear recommendations to reduce operational risk
- Reliable standing — knowing your books are in order and your obligations are met
What Happens If You Use an Unregistered Audit Firm?
Engaging an unregistered auditor in the UAE carries real consequences that go well beyond a rejected report.
- Legal and regulatory risk: audits carried out by unregistered firms may be invalidated by UAE authorities.
- Licence renewal issues: regulatory bodies or free zone authorities may reject audited reports from unapproved auditors, jeopardising licence renewal.
- Business disruption: authorities can freeze bank accounts, refuse licence renewal, and suspend operational activities.
- Reputational damage: unverified financial statements erode stakeholder confidence.
- Financial penalties: non-compliance with government requirements can lead to fines and legal penalties under UAE commercial law.
- Operational risk: the absence of trustworthy audits increases exposure to undetected fraud and inefficiency.
How to Choose the Right Audit Firm in the UAE
Selecting the right audit partner affects both compliance and the practical value you get from the engagement. Consider the following:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Licensing and approval | Ensures reports are accepted by banks, regulators, and free zone authorities |
| Industry expertise | Firms familiar with your sector identify issues and requirements specific to it |
| Range of services | A firm covering audit, accounting, VAT/tax, and advisory reduces coordination overhead |
| Technology and tools | Modern audit software and data analytics improve accuracy and efficiency |
| Reputation and track record | Signals reliable service, on-time reporting, and consistent compliance |
| Cost versus value | Transparent fee structures with no hidden charges |
| Flexibility | Ability to tailor scope to your business’s size and specific needs |
| Regulatory currency | Firms current on VAT and corporate tax changes help you avoid penalties |
Beyond these criteria, confirm the firm holds a professional permit from the Ministry of Economy and a service licence from the relevant emirate’s licensing authority, and that individual auditors hold recognised qualifications such as CPA, CA, or CIA.
What Our Clients Say About Our Audit & Assurance Services
Why Choose Farahat & Co. for Audit & Assurance
Farahat & Co. has supported businesses across the UAE since 1985, bringing multi-industry experience, a deep understanding of UAE regulations, and a straightforward approach focused on what your business actually needs.
- Ministry of Economy approved, with auditor status across more than 20 UAE free zones, including DIFC, DMCC, JAFZA, and DAFZA
- Recognised by UAE courts as an expert witness in financial and accounting disputes
- FTA-registered, connecting our audit work directly to VAT and corporate tax compliance
- Full-service coverage, spanning external, internal, forensic, tax, operational, and special-purpose audits under one firm
- Established track record, with over four decades of experience across every major UAE sector and jurisdiction
