External Audit Service in the UAE — Independent, Reliable & Fully Licensed
External audit is a critical requirement for businesses operating across all UAE Emirates. Whether mandated by law, required by your bank or investors, or sought voluntarily to strengthen corporate governance, an independent external audit provides the assurance that your financial statements are accurate, complete, and compliant with applicable standards. At Abdelhamid & Co. Certified Public Accountants & Auditors L L C SP, we are licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy (Local Auditors Record No. LC0106-01) and registered as a licensed FTA Tax Agent (TAN: 30003958 | TAAN: 20033908).
Our external audit work is closely complemented by our internal audit service, forensic audit services, and corporate tax services. Learn more about our firm and our team.
What is an External Audit?
An external audit is an independent examination of a company’s financial statements conducted by a qualified auditor not employed by the company. The external auditor expresses an independent opinion on whether the financial statements present a true and fair view of the company’s financial position and performance, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or other applicable frameworks.
External audits are required for: companies registered under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021; Free Zone entities as required by their respective regulators; companies applying for bank financing or investor funding; businesses undergoing mergers or acquisitions; and companies required by the FTA to prepare audited financial statements for corporate tax return filing.
Our External Audit Service in the UAE
1. Financial Statement Audits
We examine your financial statements and provide an independent auditor’s report on their accuracy and completeness. Our audits are conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and UAE regulatory requirements — for mainland and Free Zone companies across all UAE Emirates.
2. Compliance Audits
We assess whether your business is operating in full compliance with applicable UAE laws, regulations, and contractual obligations — including UAE Corporate Tax compliance, VAT compliance under the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), UAE Commercial Companies Law, and industry-specific regulations.
3. Operational Audits
We evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of your business operations, internal controls, and risk management processes — providing actionable recommendations for improvement that management can implement immediately.
4. Special Purpose Audits
We provide assurance on specific financial information or transactions — including asset valuations, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, grant audits, bank facility confirmations, and other non-routine engagements requiring independent verification.
5. Free Zone Audits
We audit companies registered in all major UAE Free Zones including JAFZA, DMCC, ADGM, RAKEZ, and SAIF Zone. Each Free Zone has its own audit submission requirements and deadlines, which we manage entirely on your behalf — ensuring timely, compliant submissions to the relevant authority.
6. Corporate Tax Audit Support
Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, certain taxable persons must maintain audited financial statements. We prepare audited financials specifically structured to meet the FTA and Ministry of Economy requirements for corporate tax return filing.
Our Audit Methodology
We adopt a risk-based audit methodology aligned with International Standards on Auditing (ISA). Our process covers:
- Pre-engagement planning and risk assessment
- Evaluation of internal controls and identification of control weaknesses
- Substantive testing of financial statement balances
- Communication with management and those charged with governance
- Issuance of the independent auditor’s report in Arabic and/or English
Our team brings deep sector expertise across construction, trading, manufacturing, real estate, retail, and professional services. We also provide internal audit service, forensic audit services, and CAATs data analytics to complement your assurance framework.
Why Choose Abdelhamid & Co for External Audit in the UAE?
- Licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy — Local Auditors Record No. LC0106-01
- Licensed FTA Tax Agent — TAN: 30003958 | TAAN: 20033908
- IFRS-compliant audit methodology
- ISA-based audit standards — risk-focused, not checklist-based
- Serving SMEs, mid-size and large enterprises across all UAE Emirates and Free Zones
- Bilingual team — Arabic and English (audit reports in both languages)
- UAECA | IACPA | EAAA Fellow (124) | IASCA Fellow (1361) credentials
- Transparent, fixed-fee engagements with no hidden costs
Frequently Asked Questions — External Audit UAE
Is an external audit mandatory in the UAE?
Yes. Most companies incorporated under UAE Federal Law or registered in a Free Zone are required by law to conduct an annual external audit. Companies with corporate tax obligations may also require audited financials for their corporate tax return.
How long does an external audit take in the UAE?
For SMEs, a typical external audit takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the business, the quality of accounting records, and the scope of the engagement. We coordinate closely with your finance team to minimise disruption.
What financial reporting standard do you audit against?
We audit financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the required standard for most UAE entities. We also work with IFRS for SMEs where applicable.
Can you audit a Free Zone company in the UAE?
Yes. We audit companies registered in all major UAE Free Zones including JAFZA, DMCC, ADGM, RAKEZ, and SAIF Zone. Each Free Zone has its own audit submission requirements, which we manage on your behalf.
What is the difference between an external audit and an internal audit?
An external audit expresses an independent opinion on the fairness of financial statements for external stakeholders — shareholders, banks, and regulators. An internal audit focuses on evaluating and improving internal controls, risk management, and operational efficiency for management. Both are complementary — and our firm provides both.
Do I need audited financial statements for UAE corporate tax?
Under UAE Corporate Tax law (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022), taxable persons with revenue above the prescribed threshold must maintain audited financial statements. We prepare these in the format required by the FTA and Ministry of Economy.
What does an ISA-based audit involve?
An ISA-based audit follows International Standards on Auditing, which require a risk-based approach: understanding the entity and its environment, assessing risks of material misstatement, designing audit procedures to address those risks, and issuing an audit opinion. This delivers substantially more assurance than a compilation or review.
Contact Us for External Audit Service in the UAE
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +971 50 794 8028
📞 Direct: +971 065 289 414
🌐 Office: Sharjah, Al Qasimia, Omran Tower, Office 302
Abdelhamid & Co. Certified Public Accountants & Auditors L L C SP — Licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy (LC0106-01) | Licensed FTA Tax Agent (TAN: 30003958 | TAAN: 20033908)
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Timing: Sat–Thu: 8AM–6PM
Mobile\WhatsApp: 0507948028
Phone: 065610040
Email: info@abdelhamidcpa.com