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We are Approved Auditors by Dubai CommerCity.

Approved Auditors for Dubai CommerCity Companies

Farahat & Co. is an approved auditor for Dubai CommerCity (DCC), authorised to conduct statutory audits for companies registered in the Middle East’s first dedicated e-commerce free zone.

Established as a joint venture between Dubai Airport Freezone Authority and Wasl Asset Management Group, DCC is now regulated under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), alongside DAFZA and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Every company registered in DCC must appoint an approved auditor and submit audited financial statements annually to maintain licence compliance.

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Services We Offer as Dubai CommerCity Approved Auditors in UAE

As approved auditors for Dubai CommerCity, we provide targeted financial and compliance services for e-commerce businesses in the UAE’s first dedicated e-commerce free zone. We help you stay compliant while scaling your digital business.

DCC Audit Requirements and Regulations

Legal basis

Dubai CommerCity operates under the regulatory framework of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), established under Law No. 16 of 2021 to consolidate the regulation of Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity under a single authority, effective 1 January 2022. Every Free Zone Enterprise registered in DCC is required to engage an independent auditor registered and licensed in the UAE, appointed from the Dubai CommerCity Approved Auditors List. Financial statements must be prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Who must comply

The audit requirement applies to all companies licensed in Dubai CommerCity, including e-commerce operators, trading companies, logistics providers and technology businesses, regardless of size or annual turnover. Given DCC’s focus on e-commerce, many licensed companies process high transaction volumes through online sales channels and payment gateways, which brings specific accounting considerations around revenue recognition, refunds and multi-channel reconciliation into most audits conducted in the zone.

Penalties for non-compliance

Failure to submit audited financial statements within the prescribed deadline can result in financial penalties imposed by the DCC authority. Non-compliance also affects trade licence renewal, since audited financial statements form part of the standard renewal requirements, and can complicate a company’s UAE Corporate Tax position, including its eligibility for Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment on qualifying income.

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Audit Process, Deadline and Documents Required

Filing deadline and submission process

Audited financial statements must be submitted within 90 days of the end of the company’s financial year, through the Dubai CommerCity portal, together with the signed audit report. Given the transaction volume typical of e-commerce and logistics businesses in DCC, starting the audit well ahead of the deadline allows time to reconcile online sales channels, payment gateway reports and inventory records before submission.

Step-by-step audit process

  1. Planning and engagement — the auditor signs an engagement letter and assesses the company’s business model and risk profile, whether e-commerce, trading or logistics.
  2. Documentation — collection of the Memorandum of Association, trade licence, bank statements, ledgers, balance sheet and VAT returns.
  3. Fieldwork — testing of transactions, IFRS compliance checks, and review of internal control procedures.
  4. Analysis — comparison of current and prior-year figures to identify discrepancies or financial risks.
  5. Audit reporting — the auditor issues a final signed and stamped report, which may be unqualified, qualified or adverse.
  6. Submission to Dubai CommerCity — the audit report is submitted to the authority through the DCC portal.

Documents required

Trade licence, Memorandum and Articles of Association, bank statements for the financial year, trial balance and general ledger, sales and purchase invoices, expense receipts and payroll records, VAT records, inventory records for trading and e-commerce businesses, and contracts and agreements with suppliers or clients. E-commerce businesses specifically should also prepare payment gateway reports, refund records and platform fee statements, since these directly affect revenue reconciliation during the audit.

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Why Choose Farahat & Co. as Your DCC-Approved Auditor

Farahat & Co. is an approved auditor for Dubai CommerCity and works with e-commerce, trading and logistics companies operating in the zone. Because DCC’s licensed businesses often process high volumes of online transactions across multiple sales channels and payment gateways, our audit approach pays particular attention to revenue recognition, refund handling and reconciliation between platform reports and accounting records, areas that frequently cause delays when not addressed early.

Beyond DCC, Farahat & Co. holds approvals across more than 20 UAE free zones, including DMCC, JAFZA and DIFC, giving groups with multiple UAE entities a single audit partner. Since DCC shares its regulatory framework with DAFZA and DSO under DIEZ, we also support companies that operate across more than one of these three zones with a consistent audit approach.

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About Dubai CommerCity: Free Zone Profile

Dubai CommerCity was launched as a joint venture between Dubai Airport Freezone Authority and Wasl Asset Management Group, with the first phase opening in April 2021 in the Umm Ramool area, near Dubai International Airport. Representing an investment of approximately AED 3 billion, DCC was developed as the first free zone in the Middle East dedicated exclusively to e-commerce and digital trade, organised into a Business District, a Logistics District and a Social District.

DCC is now regulated under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), which also oversees Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai Silicon Oasis. The zone’s dedicated logistics infrastructure, including multi-client warehousing and on-site customs support, makes it a common choice for online retailers, digital distribution businesses and fulfilment operators serving the GCC, wider MENA region and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is an audit mandatory for all Dubai CommerCity companies?

Yes. Every Free Zone Enterprise registered in Dubai CommerCity must engage an independent, UAE-licensed auditor from the DCC Approved Auditors List and submit audited financial statements annually.

When should audited financial statements be submitted in DCC?

Audited financial statements must be submitted within 90 days of the end of the company’s financial year, through the Dubai CommerCity portal.

Who can audit a DCC company?

Only an auditor listed on the Dubai CommerCity Approved Auditors List can conduct the audit. Companies should confirm a firm’s current approval status before engagement.

What documents are required for a DCC audit?

Commonly required documents include the trade licence, Memorandum of Association, bank statements, trial balance, general ledger, sales and purchase invoices, VAT records, inventory records, and contracts with suppliers or clients.

Do e-commerce businesses need special audit preparation?

Yes. E-commerce businesses should maintain clear records of online sales, payment gateway reports, refunds, delivery charges, inventory movement and platform fees, since these directly affect how the auditor verifies revenue and VAT treatment.

What happens if a DCC company misses the audit deadline?

Late submission can result in financial penalties from the DCC authority and can delay trade licence renewal, since audited financial statements are a standard part of that process.

How does a DCC audit relate to Corporate Tax and Qualifying Free Zone Person status?

Audited financial statements support a company’s position under UAE Corporate Tax Law, including eligibility for the 0% rate on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person.

Is DCC regulated by the same authority as DAFZA and DSO?

Yes. Dubai CommerCity, Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai Silicon Oasis are all regulated under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), established under Law No. 16 of 2021.

Can poor accounting records delay the audit process?

Yes. Missing invoices, unreconciled bank statements and unclear transaction records are common reasons for audit delays, particularly for e-commerce businesses with high transaction volumes across multiple channels.

Is an audit useful for a small or newly established DCC company?

Yes. Early financial discipline helps avoid record-keeping problems later, and properly audited financial statements support banking relationships, investor discussions, and future licence renewals regardless of company size.

Do you provide services beyond audit for DCC companies?

Yes. Farahat & Co. also provides accounting, VAT, corporate tax and related advisory services for Dubai CommerCity companies and businesses across the UAE.
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