The capital, with ADGM
Accounting, tax and audit firms in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE. Its companies follow the same federal corporate tax and VAT rules as everyone else, run by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) through EmaraTax. What sets Abu Dhabi apart for accounting is ADGM, a financial free zone with its own companies law and its own rules on accounts and audit.
With UAE Accountant you describe what you need once. Your request reaches up to three licensed accounting, tax and audit firms that work with Abu Dhabi companies, and they contact you with quotes. It is free and there is no obligation.
Accounting and tax services in Abu Dhabi
Choose a service. Where we have an Abu Dhabi page, it covers what is different here. Otherwise the form opens with Abu Dhabi already selected.
- Corporate tax registration in Abu DhabiA tax agent or accounting firm checks your deadline, prepares the documents and registers your business for corporate tax on EmaraTax.
- Corporate tax return filingYear-end financial statements, the taxable income calculation, relief and free zone checks, and the return filed on EmaraTax.
- VAT registrationCheck whether you must or may register, prepare the turnover evidence and submit the VAT registration on EmaraTax.
- VAT return filingSales and purchase VAT reconciled from your books, the return prepared and filed on time, and corrections when something was missed.
- E-invoicing readinessReadiness review, choosing an Accredited Service Provider, data and system changes, and testing before your go-live date.
- Bookkeeping & accountingYour transactions recorded, bank accounts reconciled and clear monthly reports: the records corporate tax and VAT depend on.
- Payroll & WPSSalary calculations, WPS salary files, end-of-service gratuity accruals and payslips, run every month.
- External audit in Abu DhabiStatutory audits for free zone and mainland companies, and audits for corporate tax, licence renewals and banks, by registered auditors.
- Accounting system setupChoosing and setting up accounting software, the chart of accounts, VAT codes and data migration, plus training for your team.
- Part-time CFO servicesA senior finance professional for budgets, cash flow forecasts, management reporting and bank or investor discussions.
- Liquidation & deregistrationLiquidation reports, final financial statements, and corporate tax and VAT deregistration so nothing is left open with the FTA.
- AML complianceAnti-money laundering programmes for real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals and stones, corporate service providers and other designated businesses.
Mainland, ADGM and other free zones
Most Abu Dhabi companies hold a mainland licence from the emirate’s economic department. Others are licensed in a free zone. For tax, the licence makes no difference to the rates: corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, and VAT is 5%. It does change who sets your company law, your audit rules and, in ADGM, your data protection and AML supervisor.
ADGM is a financial free zone. It has its own companies law, with its own accounts and audit rules and small-company audit exemptions. It also has its own data protection regulations, so the federal PDPL does not apply there. AML supervision in ADGM sits with its Registration Authority, not the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. In August 2025 ADGM published guidance confirming that a Qualifying Free Zone Person in ADGM needs audited accounts.
For mainland companies, AML supervision of designated non-financial businesses sits with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and audit is done by auditors licensed by that ministry.
What Abu Dhabi businesses usually ask for
- ADGM companies
An audit that meets ADGM rules, a check of whether a small-company exemption applies, and QFZP planning.
- New mainland and free-zone companies
Corporate tax registration within 3 months of incorporation, and VAT registration once supplies pass AED 375,000.
- Larger companies and groups
Audited statements for corporate tax when revenue is over AED 50m or the company is in a tax group, and transfer pricing disclosures for related-party transactions.
- Suppliers to government and large companies
E-invoicing for B2B and B2G invoices: appointing an Accredited Service Provider and preparing ERP data.
- Small businesses
Monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns and Small Business Relief for revenue of AED 3m or less.
Where Abu Dhabi companies are based
Firms serve companies across the emirate, including in:
- Abu Dhabi city
- Al Maryah Island (ADGM)
- Mussafah
- Al Ain
- Al Dhafra
If your company is in ADGM, say so in the request. ADGM accounts and audit follow ADGM rules, so it helps to work with a firm that knows them.
Accounting firms in Abu Dhabi: common questions
Is corporate tax in Abu Dhabi different from Dubai?
No. Corporate tax and VAT are federal. The rates, deadlines and FTA processes are the same in every emirate. What differs is your licensing authority and, in ADGM, the company law and audit rules.
Does an ADGM company have to register for corporate tax?
Yes. All free-zone companies must register, including those in ADGM. 0% on qualifying income applies only to a Qualifying Free Zone Person. See ADGM.
Does PDPL apply to my ADGM company?
No. ADGM has its own data protection regulations, so the federal PDPL does not apply there. A licensed adviser can explain what ADGM requires.
Who receives my request?
Up to three licensed accounting, tax or audit firms. We ask each one for its trade licence and, where relevant, its FTA tax agent registration or Ministry of Economy and Tourism auditor licence.
Does it cost anything?
No. The request is free and without obligation. You agree scope and fees with the firm.
Get quotes from accounting firms in Abu Dhabi
One request reaches up to three licensed firms that work with Abu Dhabi mainland and ADGM companies.