Accounting services in Jebel Ali for growing businesses

BCL Globiz · Jebel Ali

Accounting services in Jebel Ali for growing businesses

Bookkeeping, VAT, Corporate Tax, payroll and management accounts for Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai mainland and National Industries Park businesses.

Awards

1000+

1000+ Active Clients

30+

Industries Served

94%

Client Renewal Rate

35+

Years of Experience

300+

Experts Globally

Right Away

Why Jebel Ali Businesses Choose BCL

Dedicated account manager

One point of contact for your accounting, not a rotating support queue.

Jebel Ali structure expertise

JAFZA, Dubai mainland and National Industries Park experience under one roof.

Monthly fixed pricing

Clear pricing agreed upfront, with no unexpected charges.

Tax-ready books

Records maintained to VAT and Corporate Tax compliance standard.

Jebel Ali built its economy on trade and logistics, anchored by the Middle East’s largest seaport and JAFZA, DP World’s flagship free zone. That shows in the shape of its business base: logistics and freight operators, general traders and re-exporters moving goods through the port, and manufacturers spread across JAFZA and the National Industries Park. Good accounting in Jebel Ali starts with knowing which authority governs your entity, then keeping bookkeeping tight enough that VAT and Corporate Tax filings never rest on a guess.

Where You Sit

Mainland or JAFZA: What Changes for Your Books

The accounting and filing obligations attached to your structure, at a glance.

Structure	Licensing & regulator	VAT and Corporate Tax notes
Dubai mainland	Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)	Standard Federal VAT and Corporate Tax rules apply in full. Common for trading, contracting and professional service firms serving the UAE market.
Jebel Ali Free Zone JAFZA, established 1985	Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), part of DP World, beside Jebel Ali Port	The Middle East's largest customs-bonded free zone. Qualifying Free Zone Person status is available on qualifying income, subject to conditions.
National Industries Park NIP, established 2003	Managed by DP World UAE; companies hold Dubai mainland licences	A dedicated industrial zone beside Jebel Ali. Mainland licensing means goods move into the UAE market without customs duty; standard VAT and Corporate Tax rules apply.

Accounting Requirements

Bookkeeping and Audit Obligations by Structure

What each structure means for day-to-day records and year-end filing.

Structure	Bookkeeping & accounting records	Audit & filing requirement
Dubai mainland	Standard accounting records maintained for Corporate Tax and VAT purposes, retained in line with FTA record-keeping rules.	Audited financial statements are commonly requested to support Corporate Tax filings and, for some entities, licence renewal.
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)	Inventory valuation and production or logistics cost records for manufacturing, trading and logistics entities, alongside standard bookkeeping.	Annual audit by a JAFZA-approved auditor, filed within the free zone's deadline, is a condition of licence renewal and Qualifying Free Zone Person status.
National Industries Park	Inventory and production cost accounting for manufacturing and distribution businesses, alongside standard bookkeeping.	Audited financial statements are commonly required to support Corporate Tax filing and Dubai mainland licence renewal.

Finding Your Fit

Who Each Structure Is Typically Suited For

A quick reference for the type of business each structure tends to fit best.

Structure	Typical businesses
Mainland	Trading, contracting and professional services with UAE-facing clients across Dubai.
JAFZA	Logistics, general trading, re-export, manufacturing and multinationals needing port access and free zone benefits.
National Industries Park	Heavy manufacturing, production and distribution businesses wanting a mainland licence with direct port access.

Industry Focus

Built Around How Jebel Ali Businesses Actually Operate

01

Logistics and freight forwarding

Cost accounting, shipment reconciliation and multi-currency bookkeeping for operators working through Jebel Ali Port.

02

General trading and re-export

Import, export and re-export bookkeeping for trading companies moving goods through the port and free zone.

03

Manufacturing and industrial (JAFZA / NIP)

Inventory valuation and production cost accounting for the free zone’s and National Industries Park’s manufacturing base.

04

Shipping and maritime services

Vessel, freight and agency accounting for businesses tied to Jebel Ali Port operations.

05

Petrochemicals and heavy industry

Project and cost accounting for the industrial cluster around Jebel Ali.

06

Warehousing and distribution

Stock and freight cost accounting for businesses using JAFZA’s warehousing and logistics capacity.

Client Fit

Who This Is For

Local Coverage

Accounting Services Across Jebel Ali

BCL Globiz supports businesses across Jebel Ali, including companies operating in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), National Industries Park, the Jebel Ali Industrial Area, Jebel Ali Port and Dubai Investments Park.

Service Coverage

Accounting Services by Business Structure

What’s included, whichever structure your Jebel Ali entity sits under.

Service	Mainland	JAFZA	NIP
Bookkeeping	✓	✓	✓
VAT accounting	✓	✓	✓
Corporate Tax	✓	✓	✓
Payroll / WPS	✓	✓	✓
Management accounts	✓	✓	✓
Inventory & production cost accounting	Not required	✓	✓

The Numbers

Key UAE Tax and Record-Keeping Requirements

The core figures every Jebel Ali business should build its books around.

Rates shown reflect the standard Corporate Tax and VAT treatment. JAFZA entities meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions may access a 0% rate on qualifying income only, subject to separate conditions. Please confirm your specific position with your accounts manager.

Worth Knowing

Where Bad Bookkeeping Becomes Expensive

Books fall behind

Invoices, receipts and bank activity pile up unreconciled through the year.

Returns are prepared on incomplete information

Without reconciled ledgers, VAT or Corporate Tax figures get built on best guesses.

Supporting documentation is requested

The FTA can request records at any point and expects them within 48 hours.

Errors carry a cost

Unsupported figures can result in additional tax, penalties and compliance costs; exact amounts depend on circumstances.

Port access and free zone benefits only stay an advantage if the bookkeeping behind them is solid.

What's Included

Accounting Services for Jebel Ali Businesses

Eight core services covering the full cycle, from daily bookkeeping through to audit and CFO-level reporting.

01

Bookkeeping & monthly accounting

Bank reconciliation, ledgers, AP/AR, journals and month-end closing.

02

VAT accounting & returns

VAT coding, reconciliations, return preparation and FTA support.

03

Corporate Tax accounting

Tax-ready books, adjustments, schedules and filing support.

04

Management accounts & MIS

P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, KPIs and management reporting.

05

Payroll & WPS

Payroll processing, WPS files, gratuity and payroll reconciliation.

06

Audit-ready accounting

Schedules, reconciliations, supporting documents and JAFZA-approved auditor coordination.

07

Outsourced CFO

Cash flow forecasting, board reporting and financial analysis.

08

Accounting software & migration

Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Xero and Tally, matched to how the business operates.

Keep This Nearby

The Jebel Ali Accounting Compliance Checklist

Monthly

Bank reconciliation and general ledger maintenance

Records (VAT)

Retained for at least 5 years, 15 years for real estate transactions

VAT

Returns filed on time, whether on a monthly or quarterly cycle

Payroll

Processed and paid through the Wage Protection System (WPS)

Corporate Tax

Return filed within nine months of the financial year end

On request

Records ready to be produced to the FTA within 48 hours

Records (CT)

Retained for at least 7 years under Article 56

JAFZA entities

Annual audit by a JAFZA-approved auditor completed for licence renewal

Trusted Across the UAE

Recognised by Clients and the Industry

BCL Globiz has been recognised by industry bodies and covered by regional press.

Our Approach

Good bookkeeping is boring by design. No surprises at return time, no scrambling when the FTA asks a question.

Fixed monthly pricing. No hidden charges.

Common Questions

Jebel Ali Accounting Services: What People Ask

The questions Jebel Ali businesses ask most often about chartered accountants, bookkeeping and VAT accounting.

Do small businesses in Jebel Ali need a chartered accountant?

Yes. UAE Corporate Tax and VAT record-keeping obligations apply regardless of business size, and there is no SME exemption from the requirement to maintain proper accounting records. A chartered accountant in Jebel Ali helps ensure the books support your tax filings and hold up if the FTA asks for documentation.

What is Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) and does it need different accounting to Dubai mainland?

JAFZA, established in 1985, is DP World’s flagship free zone and the Middle East’s largest customs-bonded zone, home to a large number of logistics, trading and manufacturing businesses. JAFZA companies follow the same federal VAT and Corporate Tax rules as Dubai mainland companies, but typically need inventory and production or logistics cost accounting, plus a mandatory annual audit, that a straightforward mainland service business would not.

Do National Industries Park (NIP) companies have different accounting needs?

Yes. NIP is a mainland-licensed industrial zone managed by DP World, so companies there sell into the UAE market without customs duty but still need inventory and production cost accounting alongside standard VAT and Corporate Tax reporting.

Is an annual audit mandatory for JAFZA companies?

Yes. JAFZA requires all registered companies to have their financial statements audited annually by a JAFZA-approved auditor and submitted within the free zone’s filing window, both to support trade licence renewal and to maintain Qualifying Free Zone Person status for Corporate Tax purposes.

How much do accounting services cost in Jebel Ali?

Pricing depends on transaction volume, entity structure and whether payroll, VAT filing and audit support are included. BCL Globiz agrees a fixed monthly fee upfront based on the business, with no hidden charges. See the accounting and tax compliance pricing page for current packages.

Can you handle accounting for a newly registered Jebel Ali company?

Yes. New Jebel Ali companies, JAFZA, Dubai mainland or NIP, can onboard from their first transaction, with bookkeeping, VAT registration and Corporate Tax registration set up correctly from day one.

Can you take over accounting from another firm, including backlog or disorganised books?

Yes. Backlog accounting and catch-up bookkeeping are common starting points for new Jebel Ali clients, particularly for trading and logistics businesses that scaled quickly through the port and left the books for later. The trail is reconstructed from bank statements, invoices and prior filings before moving the business onto a monthly cycle.

Do you provide monthly management accounts?

Yes. Monthly management accounts are included as standard in ongoing engagements, giving visibility into performance well before year-end.

Can you handle VAT and Corporate Tax together, or do I need separate providers?

Both are handled together as part of the same engagement. Since VAT and Corporate Tax draw on the same underlying books, keeping them with one team avoids inconsistencies between filings.

Do you provide outsourced CFO services in Jebel Ali?

Yes. This covers board packs, cash flow forecasting and KPI reporting for businesses that need senior financial oversight without hiring a full-time finance director.

Comprehensive Service Packages

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Everything Your Business Needs — Accounting, Tax, Audit & Beyond

✦ Accounting & Book-keeping is included FREE in all packages

🛡️ 100% Refund Guarantee — Not satisfied within the first 3 months? Receive your full money back.

Why BCL Globiz? — how we compare

Feature	Others	BCL Globiz
Accounting fees	Extra charge	FREE
Transaction limits	Yes (capped)	Unlimited
Revenue cap	Yes	No cap
Refund policy	None	100% refund

Unlimited Transactions

Complete freedom to grow your business.

No Revenue Cap

Scale without worrying about revenue limits.

100% Refund

If you're not satisfied, we'll refund your payment.

Unlimited Transactions

Complete freedom to grow your business.

No Revenue Cap

Scale without worrying about revenue limits.

100% Refund

If you're not satisfied, we'll refund your payment.

Prospective

Staying ahead going forward

Monthly packages that keep you compliant as you go, so there's no backlog to clean up next year.

Monthly Yearly Get 2 Months Free!

Get 2 Months Free!

Essential

Grow

Essential

Corporate Tax Compliance

For startups needing corporate tax compliance.

AED 500 20% Off

AED 400

+ 5% VAT · Per month, billed monthly

Who is this for

Startups and new businesses setting up corporate tax compliance for the first time.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Corporate Tax Compliance

CT Advisory
Ongoing advisory on corporate tax matters
Annual CT computation
CT return Preparation & Filing Support

Full tax compliance

For growing businesses needing full tax compliance.

AED 750 20% Off

AED 600

+ 5% VAT · Per month, billed monthly

Who is this for

Growing businesses that need corporate tax and VAT compliance handled together.

Everything in Essential, plus

VAT compliance

VAT Advisory
Regular advisory on VAT matters
Quarterly VAT computation
Quarterly VAT return submission

Retrospective

Catching up on the past

One-time clean-up for periods already behind you, books that were never closed, filings that were never made.

Backlog accounting

Backlog Accounting

Fell behind on bookkeeping or tax filing? We'll clean up your books and file your corporate tax, end to end.

AED 3,000 Save AED 500

AED 2,500

+ 5% VAT · One-time, for FY 2025

Who is this for

Businesses with unfiled backlog books or missed FY2025 tax deadlines.

What's included

Backlog & tax filing

Full-year backlog bookkeeping for 2025
Bank & credit card reconciliation
Corporate tax computation for 2025
Corporate tax return filing

Why the price difference between backlog and Essential and Grow Plans?

Two services, two jobs. Backlog Accounting is a one-time clean-up: we fix your past books and file corporate tax for a year that's already closed. Fixed scope, so it ends when the work is done. The monthly plans are a living service that keeps you compliant every month of the year, so there's more inside them:

VAT isn't in the backlog. Retrospective covers corporate-tax clean-up only. VAT Advisory, computation and quarterly filing are part of the monthly plans.
One closed period vs. the whole year. The backlog fee settles a single past year. Monthly keeps you compliant across all twelve months, advisory included.
You stay covered as the rules move. Monthly includes FTA updates, VAT-applicability checks whenever your business changes, and open query with your accountant.

What each service actually covers

Fixing the past vs. staying compliant going forward.

Retrospective

Backlog Accounting

One-time · fixes a closed past year

Prospective

Essential and Grow Plans

Ongoing · keeps you compliant all year

✓ Corporate-tax computation & filing

Live FTA updates & rule changes Unlocks on Monthly →

✓ Live FTA updates & rule changes

VAT-applicability checks as you grow Unlocks on Monthly →

✓ VAT-applicability checks as you grow

Open Advisory and Query with your accountant Unlocks on Monthly →

✓ Open Advisory and Query with your accountant

✓ One-time clean-up of a past year

✓ Covers all twelve months, advisory included

Only fixing the past? Four things stay locked until you move to Essential and Grow Plans.

Switch to Essential and Grow

Standalone Professional Services

Not looking for a full package? Choose an individual service below, tailored to your exact need.

VAT Return Filing

Corporate Tax (SBR)

Transfer Pricing

Audit

VAT Return Filing

Stay compliant with accurate, timely VAT return preparation and filing support.

AED 750

+ 5% VAT Per Quarter

Who is this for

One job, done right, your VAT sorted every quarter!

What's Included

Quarterly VAT Computation
VAT Return Preparation & Filing Support
VAT Advisory & Compliance Guidance
Documentation Prepared for UAE Tax Requirements

Corporate Tax (SBR)

Professional preparation and filing support for eligible SBR.

AED 500

+ 5% VAT One-time / Annual Filing

Who is this for

Your books, our filing, teamwork that just works!

What's Included

Small Business Relief eligibility review
Corporate tax return preparation
Filing support through the applicable UAE tax system
Advisory on SBR conditions and compliance

Transfer Pricing

Benchmarking and documentation for related-party transactions

AED 4,999

+ 5% VAT One-time

Who is this for

Skip the full package, get expert TP documentation done right!

What's Included

Benchmarking Analysis for Related Parties
Arm’s Length Principle Compliance
Alignment with OECD Guidelines
Disclosure Support in CT Return

Audit

Audit-ready financials, backed by a team that knows what auditors expect

Custom Quote

Scoped to your business & audit requirements

Who is this for

Every business is different, so is every audit. Let's scope it together.

What's Included

Audit readiness assessment
Liaison with external auditors
Audit findings remediation
Financial statement preparation for audit

All standalone services can be combined with any package. Contact us at info@bcl.ae for custom requirements.

Ready to Get Your Jebel Ali Books in Order?

JAFZA, Dubai mainland or National Industries Park, BCL Globiz has the Jebel Ali-specific accounting expertise to keep the business compliant, audit-ready and focused on growth.