External Audit Services in the UAE
Audited financial statements are needed for licence renewals in many free zones, for corporate tax where revenue passes AED 50 million or you claim free zone relief, and by most banks. We get you through it on time.
- Revenue over AED 50mCT requirement
- Audit requiredAll QFZPs
- International Standards on AuditingStandard
How it works in the UAE
An external audit is an independent examination of your financial statements, ending in an audit opinion. Under Ministerial Decision No. 82 of 2023, businesses with revenue above AED 50 million and every Qualifying Free Zone Person must prepare audited financial statements for corporate tax. Free zones such as DMCC, JAFZA and DAFZA also require audited accounts at renewal, and mainland LLCs are required by the Commercial Companies Law to appoint an auditor.
We prepare your books and statements to audit standard, coordinate with a registered audit firm, answer their queries and deliver the signed report in time for your renewal or tax deadline.
What the service includes
Financial statement audit
Audit of IFRS financial statements to International Standards on Auditing.
Compliance audit
Testing compliance with licence, lender or regulatory requirements.
Risk assessment
Areas of material misstatement identified early.
Internal control evaluation
Controls tested as part of the audit approach.
Audit reports and assurance
Signed audit report and management letter.
Audit readiness
Books, schedules and reconciliations prepared before fieldwork.
Who it is for
- Free zone companies renewing their licence
- Mainland LLCs
- Qualifying Free Zone Persons
- Businesses with revenue over AED 50 million
- Companies applying for bank facilities or tenders
How we work with you
Planning and understanding
We learn the business and agree the timetable.
Audit fieldwork
Balances and transactions are tested.
Analysis and verification
Findings are discussed and adjustments agreed.
Report
The signed audit report is issued.
Documents we usually need
- Trial balance and general ledger
- Bank statements and bank confirmations
- Fixed asset register
- Sales and purchase contracts
- Previous year audited statements
- Trade licence and ownership documents
We confirm the exact list after a short review, as requirements vary by authority and case.
Audit thresholds and FTA audit penalties
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Audited accounts for corporate tax | Revenue above AED 50 million, and every Qualifying Free Zone Person. |
| Notice of a field audit | At least 5 business days. |
| Error found after an audit notice | 15% of the tax difference plus 1% for each month. |
| Voluntary disclosure before an audit notice | 1% of the tax difference for each month. |
| Failure to facilitate the tax auditor (corporate tax) | AED 20,000. |
| Reconsideration of an FTA decision | Request within 40 business days. |
Sources: Ministerial Decision No. 82 of 2023; Federal Decree Law No. 28 of 2022 on Tax Procedures; Cabinet Decision No. 75 of 2023; Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025. Checked November 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the position for your case.
Questions we hear often
Which UAE companies need an external audit?
Mainland LLCs under the Commercial Companies Law, companies in free zones that require audited accounts at renewal, businesses with revenue above AED 50 million for corporate tax and every Qualifying Free Zone Person.
How long does an audit take?
For a well prepared SME, fieldwork is usually one to three weeks, with the report following shortly after.
Can the audit be done remotely?
Much of it can, using shared documents and video calls, although auditors may still need to see stock or original documents.
Is a statutory audit the same as an external audit?
A statutory audit is an external audit required by law or by your licensing authority. The audit process is the same.
Related services
Get a fixed quote for external audit services
Tell us a little about your business. We will reply within one business day with what is needed, the timeline and a fixed fee.
- Straight answers from qualified accountants and tax agents
- Fixed fees agreed before we start
- Office in Al Fahidi, Dubai, and support across the UAE
An adviser will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp or call +971 56 505 9557.