The DMCC Free Zone Auditing Process
Companies and corporate personnel are expected to comply with DMCC-accredited audits under specific restrictions established by the DMCC Free Zone. It is illegal for a company to make a false, misleading, or deceptive statement to the auditor. Companies are not authorized to withhold specific information from auditors or destroy or conceal records.
1. Preparation of Accounts
Directors of any business operating in the DMCC are required to seek the preparation of accounts for each fiscal period. It must observe the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and provide a clear status of the profit and loss for the period in question.
Within five Business Days of the relevant General Meeting, each Company must submit a copy of the audited financial statements and the auditor’s report with the Registrar and any other information required by the Registrar, including the DMCC summary report.
2. Maintenance of Accounting Record
Each Company is required to keep accounting records, including supporting papers that are sufficient to demonstrate and explain its activities and to report the Company’s financial situation with acceptable accuracy at any time.
3. Accounts Copies
All shareholders of DMCC are entitled to a copy of the firm’s latest audited financial statements and auditor’s report. Shareholders can submit a written request to the firm, which must be fulfilled within five business days.
4. Appointment of Auditors
A company can employ auditors to analyze and report on accounts produced according to DMCC standards. The company may also hire an auditor to write on its financial statements rather than on a retainer basis. The firm must nominate its auditor at a General Meeting, as the DMCC rule requires. An auditor must be registered with DMCCA as an approved auditor by authorized auditor rules published by DMCCA from time to time.
5. The Company’s Audit report
The auditor’s report must explain whether the Company’s financial statements were properly produced by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It must be said that the accounts present a genuine and fair picture of the Company’s profit or loss for the period under consideration.
The report should include information on whether the firm is solely engaging in activities that are authorized under its license and any other information or opinions that the DMCC authority may demand from time to time.
6. Role and Responsibilities of Auditors
In DMCC a company’s auditor is responsible for conducting investigations to determine if the Company’s accounts are accurate. The DMCC-approved auditor must check that the Company’s accounts match the accounting records and returns and that the firm’s accounts are compliant with IFRS. While conducting business, the audit firm should check that the Company follows AML and CFT requirements. If a customer engages in money laundering operations, it is required to report them.