United Arab Emirates: Accounting and Audit

Most businesses operating in the UAE start managing their finances with a basic setup at the outset. They hire an accountant to work on invoices, payroll, VAT, vendor payments, reconciliations, and reporting. For the initial few months, the system works fine. However, as businesses grow, the department notices a surge in transactions. There are more employees, multiple bank accounts, and tighter deadlines to manage.

Rita Abou Samra and Aishwarya More examine the latest 2025 compliance reforms introduced by DIFC and ADGM, highlighting key amendments to the DIFC Data Protection Law and ADGM's new auditor registration framework. The analysis explores expanded individual rights, broader application of data protection regulations, and the practical steps businesses must take to ensure compliance with these new governance requirements.

The Federal Tax Authority (“FTA”) has issued Public Clarification CTP010, providing guidance on the meaning of “director” and “officer” for the purposes of the UAE Corporate Tax regime.