Accounting services in Abu Dhabi for growing businesses

BCL Globiz · Abu Dhabi

Accounting services in Abu Dhabi for Growing Businesses

Bookkeeping, VAT, Corporate Tax, payroll and management accounts for mainland, ADGM and free zone businesses. `

Awards

1000+

1000+ Active Clients

30+

Industries Served

94%

Client Renewal Rate

35+

Years of Experience

300+

Experts Globally

Right Away

Why Abu Dhabi Businesses Choose BCL

Dedicated account manager

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

Abu Dhabi structure expertise

Mainland, ADGM and free zone 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.

Abu Dhabi runs on a wider mix of structures than most emirates: mainland licences, the common law framework of ADGM, and specialist free zones built for industry, energy and media. Good accounting in Abu Dhabi starts with knowing which rules apply to which entity, then keeping bookkeeping tight enough that VAT and Corporate Tax filings never rest on a guess.

Where You Sit

Mainland, ADGM or Free Zone: 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
Abu Dhabi mainland	Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)	Standard Federal VAT and Corporate Tax rules apply in full. Eligible for government and semi-government contracts.
ADGM Al Maryah Island	English common law, regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)	Own annual accounts filing obligation with FSRA, on top of standard UAE VAT and Corporate Tax registration.
KEZAD formerly KIZAD	Industrial and logistics zone linked to Khalifa Port	Certain areas hold VAT Designated Zone status: goods moved within or between designated zones can sit outside the VAT net, but services and mainland sales are taxed as normal.
Masdar City Free Zone	Clean technology and sustainability free zone	Not a VAT Designated Zone. Standard VAT and Corporate Tax rules apply; many entities are early-stage with grant or investment income to track carefully.
twofour54	Media Zone Authority	Not a VAT Designated Zone. Project-based media and production work needs costing that lines up with standard VAT and Corporate Tax reporting.

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
Abu Dhabi 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.
ADGM Al Maryah Island	Accounting records maintained to the standard expected by the FSRA, alongside standard UAE VAT and Corporate Tax bookkeeping.	Annual audited financial statements filed with the FSRA, in addition to VAT and Corporate Tax obligations.
KEZAD formerly KIZAD	Standard bookkeeping plus supporting documentation for goods movements within or between designated zones.	Audited financial statements are generally required to support Qualifying Free Zone Person status and the associated Corporate Tax treatment.
Masdar City Free Zone	Standard bookkeeping, with grant funding and investment income tracked separately from taxable business income.	Audited financial statements are generally required annually to maintain free zone licensing and Qualifying Free Zone Person status.
twofour54	Project-based bookkeeping covering production costs, royalties and milestone billing.	Audited financial statements are generally required annually to maintain free zone licensing and Qualifying Free Zone Person status.

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	Bookkeeping & accounting records
Abu Dhabi mainland	Professional services, trading, contracting and businesses focused on local operations.
ADGM	Financial services, holding companies, investment structures and professional services.
KEZAD	Manufacturing, logistics and industrial businesses.
Masdar City Free Zone	Clean-tech, sustainability and technology businesses.
twofour54	Media, entertainment and creative businesses.

Finding Your Fit

Who Each Structure Is Typically Suited For

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

01

Oil, gas & energy

Joint venture accounting, cost allocation and revenue recognition for long-cycle contracts.

02

Healthcare & clinics

Insurance claim reconciliation, patient billing accuracy and structured financial reporting for clinics and healthcare groups.

03

Government-linked entities & contractors

Milestone billing, retention accounting and audit-ready reporting for public sector and PPP work.

04

Real estate & construction

Project-wise cost tracking, work-in-progress accounting and service charge reconciliation.

05

Manufacturing & industrial (KEZAD)

Inventory valuation, production cost accounting and import documentation for designated zone movements.

06

Media & creative (twofour54)

Project costing, royalty tracking and production budget reconciliation.

Client Fit

Who This Is For

Local Coverage

Accounting Services Across Abu Dhabi

BCL Globiz supports businesses across Abu Dhabi, including companies operating in Abu Dhabi City, Al Maryah Island, Al Reem Island, Mussafah, Khalifa City, Masdar City, Yas Island and Al Ain.

Service Coverage

Accounting Services by Business Structure

What’s included, whichever structure your Abu Dhabi entity sits under.

Service	Mainland	ADGM	Free zone
Bookkeeping	✓	✓	✓
VAT accounting	✓	✓	✓
Corporate Tax	✓	✓	✓
Payroll / WPS	✓	✓	✓
Management accounts	✓	✓	✓
ADGM accounts filing (FSRA)	Not required	✓	Not required

The Numbers

Key UAE Tax and Record-Keeping Requirements

The core figures every Abu Dhabi business should build its books around.

Rates shown reflect the standard Corporate Tax and VAT treatment. Free zone 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.

Good bookkeeping is not just about clean accounts. It gives you evidence when the numbers are questioned.

What's Included

Accounting Services for Abu Dhabi 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 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 Abu Dhabi 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

ADGM entities

Annual accounts filed per FSRA requirements, in addition to federal tax filings

Our Approach

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

Abu Dhabi Accounting Services: What People Ask

The questions Abu Dhabi businesses ask most often about chartered accountants, bookkeeping and VAT accounting.

Do small businesses in Abu Dhabi 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 or CA firm in Abu Dhabi helps ensure the books support your tax filings and hold up if the FTA asks for documentation.

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting services in Abu Dhabi?

Bookkeeping is the day-to-day recording of transactions, invoices and bank activity. Accounting builds on that data to produce management accounts, VAT and Corporate Tax filings, and financial statements. Most Abu Dhabi businesses need both working together, which is why BCL Globiz delivers them as one service rather than two separate engagements.

Do ADGM companies have different accounting or audit requirements to mainland Abu Dhabi companies?

Yes. ADGM operates under English common law with its own regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), and its own annual accounts filing obligations, on top of standard UAE VAT and Corporate Tax requirements. Mainland Abu Dhabi companies are licensed through ADDED and follow the same federal VAT and Corporate Tax framework without the additional ADGM filings.

Is VAT accounting mandatory for Abu Dhabi free zone companies in KEZAD, Masdar City or twofour54?

Yes. Federal VAT law applies to free zone and mainland companies alike once registration thresholds are met. Certain KEZAD areas hold VAT Designated Zone status, which gives special treatment to movements of goods between designated zones, but this does not extend to services or to sales into mainland UAE. Masdar City and twofour54 are not designated zones, so standard VAT rules apply in full.

How much do accounting services cost in Abu Dhabi?

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 Abu Dhabi company?

Yes. New Abu Dhabi companies, mainland, ADGM or free zone, can onboard from their first transaction, with bookkeeping, VAT registration and Corporate Tax registration set up correctly from day one.

Do you provide bookkeeping services specifically for ADGM entities?

Yes. This includes the additional annual accounts filing that ADGM entities need to submit to the FSRA, alongside standard UAE VAT and Corporate Tax bookkeeping.

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 Abu Dhabi clients. The trail is reconstructed from bank statements, invoices and prior filings before moving the business onto a monthly cycle. Timelines depend on the volume and condition of existing records.

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 Abu Dhabi?

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 Abu Dhabi Books in Order?

Mainland, ADGM or free zone, BCL Globiz has the Abu Dhabi-specific accounting expertise to keep the business compliant, audit-ready and focused on growth.