Auditing Of Accounts
Mainland License — Compare Across 3 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 2,500
Abu Dhabi
3 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
ADDED — Per-activity fee
AED 2,500
DED fee: AED 2500
Base AED 8,000 + 5% rent
AED 9,500
30K rent
AED 10,500
50K rent
AED 12,000
80K rent
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Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
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About This Activity
Includes offices specialized in practicing accounting services and qualified to audit accounts of companies and firms and make comprehensive examination and auditing of all kinds of accounts, records and accounting books of an establishment, the outcome of its business, reports on its financial position.
Our Analysis
Abu Dhabi charges AED 2,500 for an auditing license. Dubai's formula starts at AED 8,000. Sharjah on application.
The UAE's corporate tax implementation (9% above AED 375,000) has transformed the audit market. Every taxable entity now needs audited financial statements. What was once a compliance checkbox for large companies is now mandatory for thousands of SMEs.
Dubai has the most audit firms and the most audit clients. The DIFC and mainland audit markets serve multinationals, family businesses, and the growing SME sector. Big Four presence (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) sets the top end; hundreds of local firms compete below.
Abu Dhabi's government entities, sovereign wealth funds, and oil sector companies provide premium audit work. At AED 2,500, the DED fee is a fraction of a single audit engagement fee.
The trade-off: audit licensing requires qualified auditors registered with the Ministry of Economy. CPA, ACCA, or CA qualifications are mandatory for signing partners. The DED license alone doesn't authorise you to audit — you need MOE auditor registration.
100% foreign ownership for audit firms since 2021. No local sponsor required.
Dubai for SME tax audit volume. Abu Dhabi at AED 2,500 for government and oil sector.
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Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Auditing Of Accounts license cost in Abu Dhabi?
The government DED fee for a Auditing Of Accounts license in Abu Dhabi is AED 2,500. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Which UAE emirate is cheapest for a Auditing Of Accounts license?
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 2,500. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Auditing Of Accounts business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Auditing Of Accounts — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
What approvals are needed for a Auditing Of Accounts license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Accounts (Dubai), Ministry of Economy and Tourism (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
How much does a Auditing Of Accounts license cost in Dubai?
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Is Auditing Of Accounts available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Auditing Of Accounts is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. Use MainlandCompare.com to compare fees across all available emirates.
What type of license is Auditing Of Accounts in the UAE?
Auditing Of Accounts falls under the Professional license category in the UAE. Professional licenses cover consultancy, services, and skilled trades.
Is it cheaper to get a Auditing Of Accounts license in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Abu Dhabi is significantly cheaper at AED 2,500 versus Dubai's estimated AED 10,500 (at AED 50,000 rent). However, Dubai offers a larger market with 3.6 million residents and 16 million annual tourists.
How long does it take to get a Auditing Of Accounts mainland license?
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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