Independent external audit and statutory audit services in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, ADGM and Labuan Malaysia. ISA-compliant. ADGM registered auditor. RERA approved. Trusted across major UAE free zones.

Ahmad Alagbari Chartered Accountants (AAA) provides independent external audit and assurance services for businesses across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and ADGM. We are a registered auditor with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and an approved auditor across all major UAE free zones. Our audit reports are conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and are accepted by the FTA, the Dubai Land Department, UAE banks, and every free zone authority we are registered with.

Whether you need a statutory audit for free zone licence renewal, a financial statement audit for your bank, or an ISA-compliant opinion to support your Corporate Tax filing, our team of qualified chartered accountants delivers with accuracy, transparency, and minimal disruption to your operations.

Who Needs an External Audit in the UAE?

External audit requirements in the UAE are broader than most business owners expect and have expanded further since Corporate Tax came into effect. AAA works with all of the following:

• UAE mainland companies (LLCs) required to audit annually under the Commercial Companies Law
• Free zone entities required to submit audited financial statements for licence renewal — including Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCC), Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone), Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), Meydan Free Zone, and International Humanitarian City (IHC)
• Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) who must be audited to maintain the 0% Corporate Tax rate; losing the audit means the 9% rate can apply retroactively
• Businesses with bank financing that require audited accounts for credit approval or renewal
• Real estate developers and owner’s associations requiring RERA-compliant audit reports
• Companies undergoing due diligence, restructuring, or investor reporting

What Our External Audit Covers

Every AAA audit is planned and executed based on your specific business, sector, and risk profile. We do not apply a generic checklist; we understand that a commodities trader in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a financial services firm in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) or Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and a logistics company in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) each face different risks and have different reporting obligations.

Risk Assessment and Planning

We begin by understanding your business operations, sector, and regulatory environment. This shapes the audit approach, focuses testing on the areas that matter most, and avoids wasting your time on low-risk areas.

Internal Controls Review

We assess how your business authorises transactions, safeguards assets, and separates duties between staff. This gives us a clear picture of where your systems are strong and where additional substantive testing is needed.

Substantive Testing

We verify transactions, test balances, and examine disclosures across all material areas, including revenue, procurement, payroll, inventory, and fixed assets. Every figure in your financial statements must be traceable to a source document.

IFRS-Compliant Financial Statement Review

We review your financial statements against IFRS requirements and UAE Commercial Companies Law, checking classifications, disclosures, and consistency with the underlying records.

Management Communication

Before we sign anything, we share our findings with management, walk through any areas of concern, and give you the opportunity to respond. Surprises in the final report are not how we work.

Signed Audit Report

Our final signed audit opinion is the document you submit to your free zone authority, bank, or regulator. It is formatted for the relevant authority, accepted without revision, and delivered within agreed timelines.

Choosing the Right Level of Assurance

Not every engagement needs a full audit. AAA advises on and provides the right level of assurance for your specific purpose:

• Audit: high assurance, full ISA-compliant examination of your financial statements; required for free zone renewal, statutory purposes, and QFZP status
• Review engagement: moderate assurance, fewer procedures than a full audit; appropriate for certain internal or investor reporting purposes
• Agreed-upon procedures: factual findings on specific items such as turnover certification, often required by banks or lenders
• Compilation: professional preparation of financial statements without assurance; suited to specific internal or planning purposes

What to Prepare Before Your Audit

The fastest audits we complete are for clients who keep clean monthly books throughout the year. To help you prepare, here is what our team will typically request at the start of fieldwork:

• Bank statements and reconciliations for the full financial year
• Sales and purchase invoices, contracts, and supporting documentation
• Fixed asset register and depreciation schedules
• Payroll records and WPS reports
• VAT returns filed during the period, with reconciliations to turnover
• Prior year audited financial statements
• Trade licence and Memorandum of Association

Why Businesses Choose AAA for External Audit

• ADGM-registered auditor: one of a limited number of firms approved to audit entities incorporated in Abu Dhabi Global Market
• RERA-approved: listed among Dubai’s top audit firms for real estate projects, with DLD-accepted reports
• Free zone approved: Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCC), Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone), Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), Meydan Free Zone, and International Humanitarian City (IHC)
• ISA-compliant: every engagement follows International Standards on Auditing in full
• Corporate Tax aware: our auditors understand how IFRS financial statements interact with UAE Corporate Tax obligations, and flag mismatches before they become FTA issues
• Transparent and communicative: you are never left wondering where your audit stands or what our findings mean for your business
• International: Approved Auditor in Labuan (Malaysia) and the UAE
• Offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and ADGM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an external audit mandatory for my UAE company?

It depends on your entity type and jurisdiction. UAE mainland LLCs must audit annually under the Commercial Companies Law. Most free zones require audited financial statements for licence renewal. If your free zone entity has elected Qualifying Free Zone Person status for the 0% Corporate Tax rate, an audit is mandatory regardless of revenue size. Contact us and we will confirm your specific obligation.

Are AAA’s audit reports accepted by my free zone?

Yes, if your free zone is on the list of authorities we are approved with. AAA is approved across Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCC), Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone), Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), Meydan Free Zone, and International Humanitarian City (IHC), as well as Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), and Land Department of Ajman (ARRA). If your authority is not on this list, contact us and we will advise.

How long does an external audit take?

For a well-prepared business with clean monthly records, a standard SME audit typically moves from fieldwork to signed report within a few weeks. Businesses with backlog accounting or incomplete documentation should plan for a longer timeline. We will give you a realistic estimate at the start of engagement.

What happens if my free zone entity is not audited when required?

Consequences range from delayed licence renewal to, for QFZP entities, losing the 0% Corporate Tax rate, with the 9% rate potentially applied retroactively for that tax period. The risk is now materially higher under the Corporate Tax regime than it was previously.

Can AAA help if my accounts are not in order before the audit?

Yes. We offer bookkeeping and backlog accounting alongside our audit services. If your records are incomplete, we can bring them current before fieldwork begins, so the audit itself is not delayed by missing documentation.

What is the difference between an external audit and an internal audit?

An external audit produces a signed, independent opinion on your financial statements for outside stakeholders such as banks, investors, and regulators. An internal audit is an ongoing review of your internal controls and processes, aimed at helping management improve operations and reduce regulatory risk. Both serve different purposes and are increasingly expected to coexist.

How many years must account records be kept for in the UAE?

Corporate Tax law requires accounting and tax records to be retained for 7 years from the end of the relevant tax period, under Article 56 of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. VAT records must be kept for 5 years generally, or 15 years for real estate related records. The safest practice is to apply the 7-year rule across all financial records.