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Accounting services in Dubai usually cost between AED 500 and AED 5,000 per month. The price depends on your company type, transaction volume, and the scope of work. A startup that only needs basic bookkeeping pays far less than a group company that also needs VAT, payroll, and management accounts.
This article breaks down the main cost factors and what you get at each level.
How much does an accountant cost in Dubai?
Accounting fees in Dubai range from AED 500 to AED 5,000+ per month for outsourced services. A basic bookkeeping-only package for a small free zone company starts at around AED 500 to AED 1,000. A full-service package that covers bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, and management accounts runs from AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 or more.
These are market estimates. Prices vary between firms. Some charge a flat monthly retainer. Others charge per transaction or per hour. Ask for a fixed-price quote before you commit.
What affects the price of accounting services in the UAE?
A few things push the cost up or down.
Transaction volume. More invoices, payments, and bank entries mean more bookkeeping work. A business with 20 transactions a month pays much less than one with 500.
VAT registration. If your business is VAT-registered, someone needs to file quarterly VAT returns. This adds to the monthly fee.
Corporate tax. Since June 2023, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has required most UAE businesses to register for corporate tax and file an annual return. Accounting firms usually include this in full-service packages. Smaller firms may charge extra.
Payroll. Each employee on your payroll adds work to the monthly close. Firms usually charge per employee or include payroll in a bundle.
Free zone vs mainland. Free zone companies often need annual audited accounts, and the audit comes at a separate cost. Budget AED 3,000 to AED 8,000 for a basic audit, depending on the auditor and your free zone.
Company size and complexity. A holding company with multiple subsidiaries costs more to account for than a single-entity trading business.
What do accounting packages in the UAE usually include?
Most accounting firms offer tiered packages. Here is what each level usually covers.
Basic (AED 500 to AED 1,000 per month)
- Monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliation
- Quarterly VAT return filing, if VAT-registered
- Basic financial statements at year-end
Standard (AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 per month)
- Everything in Basic
- Payroll processing and WPS filing
- Monthly management accounts
- Corporate tax registration and annual CT return
Full-service (AED 3,000 to AED 5,000+ per month)
- Everything in Standard
- Multi-entity or group accounting
- Transfer pricing documentation support
- Liaison with the FTA and free zone authority
- Dedicated account manager
Ask the firm what is included in writing. Some firms advertise low monthly fees and then charge separately for every VAT return and every government letter.
Is outsourced accounting cheaper than hiring in-house?
Yes, for most UAE businesses it is.
A capable accountant in Dubai earns AED 5,000 to AED 8,000 per month in base salary. Add employer visa costs, health insurance, gratuity accrual, and office space, and the real cost usually lands closer to AED 7,000 to AED 11,000 per month.
An outsourced accounting firm handling the same work costs AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 per month for a typical SME. You also get a team with VAT and corporate tax experience. A single hire usually does not have that depth.
The numbers change when your business gets bigger. If you are processing 1,000 or more transactions per month, a full-time in-house accountant starts to make more financial sense.
How much does a statutory audit cost in the UAE?
Audits are separate from monthly accounting fees. Free zone companies that need an annual audit usually pay:
- Small company, under AED 5M turnover: AED 3,000 to AED 6,000
- Medium company, AED 5M to AED 20M turnover: AED 6,000 to AED 15,000
- Larger companies: AED 15,000 and above
Your free zone authority publishes a list of approved auditors. You need to choose one from that list. Prices vary between approved auditors, so get three quotes before you decide.
What should you watch out for?
Hidden fees. Some firms quote a low monthly rate but charge per document, per government letter, or per VAT filing. Ask for an itemised list before you sign.
Qualifications. Your accountant should be ACCA, CPA, or CA qualified. Check that before you hire. UAE-registered accounting firms must also hold a valid trade license from the UAE Ministry of Economy or the relevant emirate authority.
Response time. The FTA can request documents within 5 business days. Your accounting firm needs to respond quickly. Ask about turnaround time for FTA queries.
For a full breakdown of what accounting firms in Dubai offer and how to choose the right one, DASA Consulting can walk you through the options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does bookkeeping cost in the UAE per month?
Basic bookkeeping for a small UAE company starts at AED 500 to AED 1,000 per month. This covers transaction recording and bank reconciliation. VAT returns and payroll are usually charged separately.
How much does CPA cost in the UAE?
CPA-qualified accountants in the UAE typically charge AED 150 to AED 350 per hour for advisory work. Monthly retainers from CPA-led firms start at AED 2,500 to AED 5,000.
Is outsourced accounting cheaper than hiring in-house in the UAE?
Yes, for most SMEs. A full-time junior accountant costs AED 8,000 to AED 12,000 per month, including visa and benefits. Outsourced accounting for the same scope runs AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 per month.
How much does a UAE company audit cost?
Small company audits in the UAE cost AED 3,000 to AED 6,000. Medium companies pay AED 6,000 to AED 15,000. Prices depend on the free zone, company size, and approved auditor.
Get a clear picture of your actual accounting needs before you compare quotes. DASA Consulting offers accounting packages for UAE businesses, covering free zone and mainland companies, at fixed monthly rates with no hidden charges.
Prices in this article are market estimates based on current UAE market rates. Get a written quote from your accounting firm before you commit.
