Accounting and Bookkeeping Regulations
Bookkeeping is a part of every running business. It helps the companies track their expenses to ensure effective financial management. In a jurisdiction governed by clearly defined financial regulations, accurate bookkeeping UAE practices support proper documentation and internal control across daily business operations. The step-by-step implementation of the accounting cycle, supported by accounting bookkeeping practices, not only enhances the clarity of financial information but also offers valuable insights to stakeholders and potential investors.
Additionally, it provides precise quantitative data on monetary assets for state institutions during audits. For this purpose, business owners in Dubai and across the UAE usually have to engage with a reputable accounting and bookkeeping firm in UAE that provide timely, accurate, and expert accounting and bookkeeping services to ensure compliance with universal accounting standards and regulations for higher transparency and accuracy of financial records.
Why Need Accounting and Bookkeeping Services in UAE?
In the UAE, nearly all regulatory bodies require financial statements whenever companies seek to renew their licenses. To comply with these requirements, businesses conduct account audits that produce performance reports, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for license renewal. When also applying for a loan for your company, banks require a copy of your financial accounts. Bookkeeping and accounting services in Dubai and across the UAE help businesses prepare accurate financial statements, meet audit requirements, and maintain compliance with licensing and regulatory obligations.
Suppliers in the UAE also typically request financial account statements to assist you with obtaining credit facilities. Businesses generally adhere to accounting standards quite stringently. This article aims to provide you with an understanding of the various international standards available, as well as the recommended practices for managing business accounts to ensure compliance with regulations in the UAE.
What are the Accounting Standards, Definition & Types?
Accounting standards are the principles set for financial reporting. The rules are basically specified on how to record the transaction. It provides true and correct treatment of the transaction for complete accuracy.
Basic accounting and bookkeeping services are very much required for the businesses operating in Dubai or anywhere in the world. The accountant needs to constantly update the financial records for complete transparency. The companies have to install the accounting software to process all the financial transactions happening from and to the company. They have to also take care of the receipts, disbursements, reimbursements, receivables and payables regularly too keep healthy cashflow.
Many people in the UAE are reportedly confused about the presentation of transaction in financial record. To address this, it is important to understand the accounting standards recommended for accounting bookkeeping and the creation of financial statements. Companies often adopt various formats and rules to manage their accounting records, with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) being two of the most frequently utilized principles in bookkeeping. By familiarizing themselves with these standards and working with experienced accounting and bookkeeping firms in Dubai & across UAE, businesses can enhance their financial reporting and ensure consistency in their accounting practices.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has issued IFRS as the international accounting standard for accomplishing the tasks and activities of financial management. It deals with particular types of events and transactions for financial reporting. The IFRS explains a comprehensive way of working for the accountants to maintain their records, supporting consistent accounting and bookkeeping practices. The set of principles are designed to ensure a common language that is well understood by the business people and accounting companies in Dubai and across the world.
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- GAAP is comprised of all essential principles and rules to deal with the intricacy, complexities, and accounting legalities for managing corporate accounting. GAAP is the foundation of accounting methods as approved and used by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The deployment of GAAP are required in extensive accounting services because it is used to manage balance sheets, revenue recognition, and outstanding classification of items and shared estimations for public disclosure.
IFRS are the Mandatory Accounting Standards in UAE
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has made it mandatory for the businesses to comply with IFRS as stipulated by the Central bank of the UAE. Companies are required to manage their accounting records in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It is suggested to implement IFRS to avoid complications and ensure transparency in accounting and bookkeeping Dubai.
In the past, there was no pre-defined standard for the businesses in the UAE. However, the state has recently encouraged business owners to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for their accounting practices. This recommendation aims to help business leaders navigate the complexities of financial regulations and ensure compliance, as many have found it challenging before to determine the appropriate standards for their financial reporting.
Accounting and bookkeeping is essential for every organization located anywhere in the world, including the UAE. It is a process where you record, measure, classify and verify financial information. Also, accounting helps you know where you have used your company funds as well as help you know the value and nature of your company's liabilities. All the functional companies in UAE are supposed to adopt the IFRS method.
In order to initiate the accounting, accountants in UAE will need the below mentioned documents:
1. Legal Documents of the Company:
- Certificate of Incorporation,
- Memorandum and Article of Association,
- Share Certificate,
- Trade License.
2 Invoices of expense for Company incorporation
- Office Rental Contract and Invoice
- Deposit slips if any paid to DEWA, Rent and etc.
- Sales Invoices
- Purchase invoices
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements if any
- Petty Cash sheet if maintained
- Invoices for expenses like Telephone and Utilities, Office expenses and any other expense related to the company
- Invoice for purchase of any company asset.