Dubai
Bookkeeping services in Dubai
Good books are what every other filing is built on. Your VAT returns, your corporate tax return and, for many free-zone companies, the audit that renewal depends on all start from the same ledger.
Dubai has a wide range of companies, from small free-zone traders to mainland groups. That makes it worth asking firms how they handle your type of licence and your sector.
Why Dubai companies need clean books
Records for 7 years
Corporate tax records must be kept for 7 years. Bookkeeping that is done every month is much easier to defend than records rebuilt at year-end.
Audit for free-zone renewal
Many free-zone authorities require audited accounts by an approved auditor to renew the licence. DMCC is one of them. The audit goes faster when the books are reconciled.
QFZP status
A free-zone company that wants 0% on qualifying income must keep audited IFRS accounts and separate qualifying from non-qualifying revenue for the de minimis test. Your bookkeeper sets up the accounts that make this possible.
E-invoicing from 2027
B2B invoices move to e-invoicing through an Accredited Service Provider. Your chart of accounts, customer master data and accounting software need to be ready.
Cash basis or accrual
A business with revenue of no more than AED 3m may prepare cash-basis financial statements. That often goes with electing Small Business Relief, which now applies to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. Larger businesses, and every Qualifying Free Zone Person, need accrual accounts. Tell the firm your revenue band so the quote fits the right method.
What to ask a Dubai bookkeeping firm
- Do you work with companies licensed in my free zone, or with mainland companies like mine?
- Which accounting software do you use? If a product is said to be FTA-accredited, check it on the FTA’s current list.
- Does the monthly fee include VAT returns, or are they priced separately?
- Can you prepare the year-end file for the auditor, and do you work with auditors my zone accepts?
- Who prepares the books and who reviews them?
See the full bookkeeping page and how to choose an accounting firm in Dubai.
FAQ
Can a bookkeeping firm work remotely for my Dubai company?
Yes. Most firms use cloud accounting software and exchange documents online. Visits are usually only needed for stock counts.
My books are behind. Can a firm catch up?
Yes. Say so in the request. Catch-up work is quoted separately from the monthly service, and it affects the fee.
What affects the monthly fee?
The number of transactions, bank accounts and currencies, payroll, stock, and whether VAT returns are included.
Get quotes for bookkeeping in Dubai
Describe your company once. Up to three licensed firms will contact you with quotes.