Internal Audit Services in the UAE
An internal audit shows owners where money, stock or time is leaking and whether controls actually work. We test your processes and report practical fixes in plain language.
- Risk, controls, processesFocus
- Owners or the boardReports to
- Annual or rolling planFrequency
How it works in the UAE
As a business grows, owners stop seeing every payment and every contract. Internal audit fills that gap. It looks at how purchasing, payments, inventory, payroll and sales really work, compares that with how they should work, and tests whether the controls in between are reliable.
We plan each review around your highest risks, test samples of real transactions and agree actions with the people who own each process. You get a short report with clear priorities, not a thick binder.
What the service includes
Risk assessment and management
We identify and rank the risks that matter for your business.
Internal control review
Design and operation of controls over cash, stock and approvals.
Financial process audit
Purchase to pay, order to cash and payroll tested end to end.
Operational audit
Efficiency of operations, procurement and inventory.
Compliance audit
Checks against laws, licence conditions and internal policies.
Fraud detection and prevention
Red flag testing and controls that make fraud harder.
Who it is for
- Family businesses and growing SMEs
- Companies with several branches or sites
- Boards that want independent assurance
- Businesses preparing for investment or sale
How we work with you
Audit planning
We agree scope, risks and timing.
Risk evaluation
We map processes and controls.
Audit execution
We test transactions and interview process owners.
Audit reporting
You receive findings, ratings and an agreed action plan.
Documents we usually need
- Organisation chart and authority matrix
- Policies and procedures
- Financial statements and management accounts
- System access for sample testing
- Previous audit reports
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
What is the difference between internal and external audit?
External audit gives an opinion on the financial statements for shareholders and regulators. Internal audit works for management and looks at risks, controls and efficiency.
Is internal audit mandatory in the UAE?
Not for most private companies, though it is required for some regulated and listed entities. Many owners choose it for the control it gives them.
How long does an internal audit take?
A focused review of one or two processes takes two to four weeks.
Can you act as our internal audit function?
Yes. We can run a full outsourced internal audit plan across the year.
Related services
Get a fixed quote for internal 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.