Bookkeeping and Accounting Services in the UAE

Since the introduction of VAT and Corporate Tax, accurate bookkeeping has moved from a back-office task to a legal obligation for UAE businesses. The FTA can ask to see your records, your Corporate Tax is calculated directly from your financial statements, and your VAT returns are only as reliable as the books behind them. Safeway keeps your accounts clean, current and tax-ready, so you always know your numbers and never scramble at filing time. We are an FTA-approved tax agent in Ajman working with clients across every emirate.

Why bookkeeping matters more than ever in the UAE

Both the VAT law and the Corporate Tax law require you to keep proper accounting records and supporting documents, generally for at least five years (fifteen for real estate). Corporate Tax is charged on the taxable income shown in your financial statements, so poor records can mean paying more tax than you should, or facing penalties for records you cannot produce. Good books protect you on both fronts and give you the management information to run the business.

Our bookkeeping and accounting services

• Day-to-day transaction recording and categorisation
• Chart of accounts setup aligned to VAT and Corporate Tax reporting
• Accounts payable and receivable tracking
• Monthly bank, cash and credit-card reconciliation
• VAT-compliant invoice and record keeping
• Management reports: profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow
• Year-end closing and preparation for financial statements and the Corporate Tax return

Accounting standards and software

UAE businesses generally report under IFRS, with IFRS for SMEs available for businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or less, and a cash basis permitted for Corporate Tax where revenue is AED 3 million or less. We work with cloud systems such as Zoho Books, QuickBooks and Xero, as well as Tally, and will set up the chart of accounts and tax codes so your data flows cleanly into your returns.

How we work with you

You can hand us a bank statement and your invoices and we build the books from there, or we work alongside your in-house team. Each month you receive reconciled accounts and a short set of reports, and at year end everything is ready for the financial statements and the Corporate Tax filing without a last-minute rush. For clients who prefer it, we prepare a simple query sheet against the bank statement so you only confirm what we cannot see.

Why businesses choose Safeway

• Books kept by a team that also handles your VAT and Corporate Tax, so nothing falls between the cracks
• Records structured for compliance from day one, not reworked at filing time
• Clear monthly reporting you can actually use to make decisions
• One point of contact managing a portfolio of 30+ client entities across the UAE

Contact us to discuss monthly bookkeeping for your business.

Frequently asked questions

Is bookkeeping mandatory in the UAE?

Yes. The VAT and Corporate Tax laws both require proper records, generally kept for at least five years. Corporate Tax is calculated from your financial statements, so accurate books are a legal requirement.

Which accounting standard applies?

IFRS generally; IFRS for SMEs for revenue up to AED 50 million; and the cash basis is allowed for Corporate Tax where revenue is AED 3 million or less.

How long must records be kept?

At least five years, and fifteen years for real estate records.

Which software do you use?

Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Xero and Tally, among others, set up with a tax-ready chart of accounts.

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