Audit Services in UAE
MOE Approved Auditors · Est. 1985
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.
Top Audit & Assurance Services
Independent audit services for mainland companies, free zone entities, and branches — trusted by businesses across the UAE for over 40 years.
✦ Ministry of Economy Approved
✦ Approved Auditors — DIFC, DMCC, JAFZA & 20+ Free Zones
✦ Recognised by UAE Courts as Expert Witness
✦ Registered with Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
✦ 30,000+ Clients Served
Audit & Assurance Services We Offer
We provide a full range of audit services for businesses across the UAE – from statutory requirements to specialist investigations.
Our main services include:
- 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. - 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. It identifies 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. Helps 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 — processes, efficiency, and resource use. Helps management reduce costs and improve performance. - Special-Purpose Audits:
Includes due diligence audits, inventory audits, payroll audits, and system audits — tailored to specific business needs or transactions.
Our Support for VAT, Excise Tax, and Tax Compliance
At Farahat & Co., our audit services go beyond reviewing financial statements. We also help businesses strengthen compliance across VAT, Excise Tax, and wider tax obligations, especially where record accuracy, reconciliations, and regulatory readiness are important.
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 also assist with Excise Tax and Corporate Tax compliance, helping businesses reduce risk and manage regulatory requirements with greater confidence.
How to Choose the Right Audit Firm — A Buyer’s Checklist ?
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Licensing and Approval (approved by regulators / free-zone authorities) | Audit firms make sure that reports are accepted by banks, regulators, and investors. |
| Industry expertise/specialization | Audit firms familiar with our sector can easily find issues and industry needs |
| Range of services (audit, accounting, VAT/Tax, advisory) | Use of the right firm results in the burden of coordination, consistency, compliance, accounting, and advisory. |
| Use of modern tools and technology | Use of modern tools like cloud accounting, digital documentation, data analytics, etc. |
| Reputation, track record, client reviews | It is important to provide reliable service, on-time reporting, and better compliance |
| Cost vs Value | The fee structure will be transparent, along with timely reports. |
| Flexibility / Tailoring | Companies should have a better ability to adapt to the scope of audit based on the size of the company, business needs, and challenges. |
| Support for regulatory changes (VAT, corporate tax) | Firms up-to-date with regulatory changes help avoid penalties and ensure compliance readiness. |
We Provide Audit Services in the Following Free Zones
Explore our free zone audit services for businesses operating across major UAE free zones:
Why Work with a Regulated Audit Firm?
Working with an approved, experienced audit firm gives your business more than just 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
- Peace of mind — knowing your books are in order and your obligations are met
Top-Rated Professional Auditors in UAE
Farahat & Co. has been supporting businesses across the UAE since 1985. Our audit team brings multi-industry experience, a deep understanding of UAE regulations, and a straightforward approach — focused on what your business actually needs. Ready to get started? Book a consultation with our team today.
How to Choose the Right Auditors ?
If you are choosing an auditor in Dubai, there are some key points:
Credentials & Qualifications
- Be sure that the firm you are choosing has Certified Public Accountants, Certified Internal Auditors, and Chartered Accountants or not.
- The auditors must be approved by the auditor list. Always confirm it with the Ministry of Economy and Free Zones authorities.
Industry Experience
- Always look for auditors who have experience in your sector. These auditors understand the specific regulations and requirements.
Regulatory & Local Knowledge
- The auditor should be knowledgeable of UAE laws, Corporate Tax, VAT, IFRS, and free-zone-specific rules.
- They should know how to handle audits for entities regulated by DFSA (DIFC) or other free-zone regulators.
Technology & Audit Tools
- A modern auditor uses audit software, data analytics, and digital tools to improve efficiency and insights.
Size & Service Range
- You might want a big company if you need to do business on a large scale or in many countries. If you want more personal attention, you might want a smaller, more regional company.
- Make sure they offer risk consulting, forensic accounting, or advisory services.
References & Reputation
- Always ask for the client review and testimonials, especially from companies that operate like you.
- Check the experience of the firm through the number of years it has been operating in the UAE.
What Happens If You Use an Unregistered Audit Firm ?
Engaging an unregistered auditor in Dubai or the UAE can lead to serious consequences:
- Legal and Regulatory Risk: Audits done by unregistered firms may be invalidated by the UAE authorities.
- License Renewal Issues: Regulatory bodies or free-zone authorities may reject audited reports from unapproved auditors, jeopardizing your license renewal.
- Business Disruption: Authorities have the full right to freeze the bank accounts, refuse the renewal of the license, and also suspend the operational activities.
- Reputational Damage: If the financial statements are unverified, the stakeholders will lose confidence.
- Financial Penalties: If you don’t follow the rules of the government, it could lead to fines and legal penalties under UAE commercial law.
- Operational Risk: Lack of trustworthy audits might lead to fraud and inefficiencies, which lead to greater financial risk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is auditing mandatory in the UAE?
Yes. Auditing is mandatory for many businesses in the UAE, depending on the company’s legal structure, licensing authority, and applicable regulations. This includes most mainland companies, free zone entities, and businesses in regulated sectors.
Are free zone companies required to submit audited financial statements?
Yes. Most free zone authorities in the UAE require companies to submit audited financial statements annually as part of their licence renewal process.
Which industries in the UAE require mandatory audits?
Mandatory audits generally apply to financial institutions, free zone entities, listed companies, real estate companies, and businesses regulated by authorities such as the Central Bank, SCA, DFSA, and RERA
What credentials should an audit firm in the UAE have?
n audit firm must hold a professional permit from a federal authority — such as the Ministry of Economy — and a service licence from the relevant emirate’s licensing authority. Individual auditors should hold recognised qualifications such as CPA, CA, or CIA.
What are the risks of using an unregistered audit firm?
Audit reports from unregistered firms may be legally invalid and rejected by free zone authorities, banks, and regulators. It can also result in licence issues, penalties, and reputational damage.
What is the difference between an internal and external audit?
An external audit is an independent review of a company’s financial statements, primarily for shareholders, lenders, and regulators. An internal audit reviews internal controls, processes, and risk management — and is primarily used by management to improve operations.
Can one audit firm handle both internal and external audits?
In the UAE, it is generally recommended to keep internal and external audit functions separate to maintain independence and objectivity. Farahat & Co. can advise on the right structure for your business.
How long can a company retain the same external auditor in the UAE?
Under UAE legislation, the maximum term for retaining the same auditor is three years, after which a rotation is required.
How much does an audit cost in the UAE?
Audit fees are not fixed. They depend on the volume of transactions, the complexity of the business, the condition of the accounting records, and the type of audit required. Contact us for a tailored quote.
How long does an audit typically take?
The timeline depends on the size of the business, the quality of the records, and the type of audit. A straightforward audit for a small business can take a few weeks, while larger or more complex engagements may take longer.
What documents are typically needed for an audit?
Standard requirements include the trial balance, general ledger, bank statements and reconciliations, fixed asset schedules, inventory lists, debit and credit confirmations, and the prior year’s financial statements.
What is the purpose of a forensic audit?
A forensic audit investigates suspected fraud, financial irregularities, or misstatements. It is typically required during disputes, acquisitions, or internal investigations where financial evidence needs to be examined and documented.
Why is it important to engage an independent audit firm?
Independence ensures objectivity. An independent auditor is not influenced by internal pressures, which means their findings and opinion are reliable — for management, investors, lenders, and regulatory authorities.
Can Farahat & Co. audit companies that are registered in free zones?
Yes. Farahat & Co. is an approved auditor across more than 20 UAE free zones, including DIFC, DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, and others. We are familiar with the specific audit requirements of each free zone authority.
+971 52 6922588 | Tel: +971 4 2500251 | E-mail: [email protected]