Six firms worth shortlisting for a bookkeeping service in Dubai are Skrooge.ai, KBA Accounting and Bookkeeping, The Accountant LLC, Parker Russell UAE, Shuraa Tax and Fastlane. Outsourced bookkeeping means engaging an external accounting firm to record and reconcile your business transactions periodically and prepare financial reports. The firm maintains your books, tracks accounts payable and receivable, and provides monthly financial statements.
Depending on the package, the firm may also prepare and file VAT and Corporate Tax returns, offer payroll support, and prepare WPS salary files. Outsourcing can be a practical choice when your business does not have the transaction volume or budget to justify hiring a full-time bookkeeper.
This guide is meant to help small businesses in Dubai, on the mainland and in free zones, choose an outsourced accounting partner.
Quick Answer: A bookkeeping service in Dubai typically costs from around AED 499 per month for basic packages, though VAT, Corporate Tax and payroll are often charged separately. Compare what the monthly fee includes, whether you get login access to the software, and the exit terms before you sign. The six firms below are compared on published pricing, scope and office locations.
Disclosure: this article is sponsored. The first listed firm is a commercial partner, and the link to it is a paid placement.
Choosing a Bookkeeping Service in Dubai: What Small Businesses Should Know
What Outsourced Bookkeeping Services Include
The scope of outsourced bookkeeping services varies by accounting firm and monthly package. Most providers offer the following services:
- Transaction recording and categorization: recording sales, purchases, expenses, and other financial transactions under the appropriate accounts in your accounting software.
- Bank and card reconciliation: matching transactions recorded in your books against bank statements and card statements to identify missing or incorrectly recorded entries.
- Accounts payable and receivable: recording supplier invoices, tracking outstanding customer payments, and maintaining records of amounts your business owes and is expected to receive.
- Monthly P&L and balance sheet: preparing profit and loss statements and balance sheets to help you understand your business’s financial position and performance.
- VAT return preparation: reviewing sales and purchase transactions, calculating output and input VAT, and preparing the figures required for filing VAT returns.
- Corporate Tax readiness: maintaining organized financial records and preparing reports that help determine taxable income and support Corporate Tax return preparation.
- Payroll and WPS salary files: some firms also calculate employee salaries and benefits, and prepare WPS salary files for submission through the UAE Wage Protection System.
- Year-end handover to the auditor: preparing financial statements, ledgers, and supporting documents required by your external auditor at the end of the financial year.
Most accounting firms use cloud-based software such as Zoho Books, Xero, or QuickBooks to maintain books and enable you to access your financial records and reports online. Before signing a service agreement, check which of these services are included in the monthly fee and which are charged separately.
Why Small Businesses in Dubai Outsource Bookkeeping
Small businesses outsource accounting to professional firms when the transaction volume and/or tax compliance responsibilities cannot be handled with the founder’s available bandwidth. In the UAE, businesses are required to charge VAT on taxable supplies. The VAT rate can be 5% or 0%, or the supply could be VAT exempt. The business must also track how much VAT was paid to produce taxable supplies and, accordingly, submit VAT returns that account for input VAT recovery. VAT returns must be filed on a quarterly or a monthly basis.
On an annual basis, most businesses must file Corporate Tax returns within 9 months of the end of the tax period and pay 9% Corporate Tax on any taxable income exceeding AED 375,000. 0% Corporate Tax applies to income up to AED 375,000 for most businesses.
All businesses are required to register for Corporate Tax within 3 months of incorporation, or they may face a late registration penalty of AED 10,000. Our guide to the corporate tax registration deadline explains the timing and penalties in detail.
VAT registration is mandatory when your taxable supplies exceeded AED 375,000 in the past 12 months, or are expected to exceed it in the next 30 days. It is voluntary when supplies exceeded, or are expected to exceed, AED 187,500 over the same periods.
Very small businesses may also qualify for Small Business Relief, which treats eligible companies with revenue of up to AED 3 million as having no taxable income. Under Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026, the relief has been extended to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. It is elective, so you must claim it in your Corporate Tax return each year, and it is not available to Qualifying Free Zone Persons. A good accountant will check whether you qualify and what electing it means for your tax losses.
Businesses are also required to keep financial records for at least 5 years for VAT and 7 years for Corporate Tax, and must comply with regulatory requirements such as anti-money laundering rules and transfer pricing rules. If the Federal Tax Authority introduces new tax compliance rules, your business will need to adapt within the prescribed timeline. Often, small businesses rely on outsourced accounting services to manage these responsibilities.
Outsourced Accounting Services vs. In-House Bookkeeper
Outsourcing accounting to a firm specializing in UAE accounting and tax compliance can be a cost-effective choice for SMEs. As your business grows, you can simply upgrade to the next tier. In contrast, when you have an in-house team, scaling the accounting function means hiring new full-time employees. Another benefit of outsourcing is that you are not dependent on one person to maintain your books and meet tax compliance requirements.
That being said, having an in-house accounting team means better control over sensitive information and same-day answers. Here’s a summary of the differences.
| Factor | Outsourced bookkeeping | In-house bookkeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed monthly fee, no salary, visa, or benefits | Salary plus visa, insurance, leave, and end-of-service |
| Expertise | A team that files VAT and Corporate Tax for many clients | Depends on one person |
| Continuity | Covered during leave and turnover | Gaps when the person leaves |
| Control | Access through shared cloud software and monthly reports | Same-day answers, full internal control |
| Scalability | Change the plan as transactions grow | Hire again |
How Much Does a Bookkeeping Service in Dubai Cost?
The cost of outsourced accounting services is quoted as a fixed monthly subscription that increases with transaction volume, or as an hourly rate. Skrooge.ai’s accounting and bookkeeping package costs AED 499 per month with VAT and Corporate Tax filing included. Fastlane offers monthly accounting for the same price but charges separately for VAT compliance, Corporate Tax compliance, and payroll. Shuraa Tax’s SME package starts at AED 8,000 plus VAT.
Many firms do not publish pricing information online. If you want to engage such firms, you will need to request a quote. Prices change, so confirm current rates with each firm before you decide. In addition to the cost of the package, pay attention to which services you need are actually covered and which ones cost extra.
How to Choose a Bookkeeping Outsourcing Company
Small businesses in Dubai should consider the following factors when choosing a bookkeeping outsourcing company:
- Services covered by the base monthly price. Most businesses will need support for filing Corporate Tax and VAT returns, but certain accounting firms will charge separately for these services.
- Software and your login access. You should be able to access the accounting software being used to maintain your books instead of simply receiving exported files.
- Direct access to the accountant. If you have any queries, you should be able to reach the accountant responsible for maintaining your books and filing your returns.
- Type of service delivery. Many accounting firms now offer cloud-based service delivery, while some provide on-site services. Consider which type suits your business.
- Exit terms and data handover. The service agreement should not prevent you from switching to a new provider by imposing unfair lock-in periods or blocking financial data handover requests.
Bookkeeping Firms in Dubai to Shortlist
The six bookkeeping firms in Dubai below are listed in no particular order of quality. While compiling this list, we considered published pricing and service information, office locations, and the software used by each firm. This is a shortlist, not a ranking, so compare each against your own needs.
1. Skrooge.ai
Skrooge.ai, founded in 2025, is an AI-powered accounting firm with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which states that it is registered with the Federal Tax Authority as a Tax Agency. The company provides accounting and tax filing across all 7 emirates and major free zones.
Skrooge.ai bookkeeping packages start at AED 499 per month and include monthly financial statements, VAT and Corporate Tax return filing, payroll, and gratuity calculations. For another AED 59 per employee, you can engage them for WPS salary file preparation. It is a fit for small businesses that want one fixed monthly fee to cover bookkeeping and tax filing.
2. KBA Accounting and Bookkeeping
KBA Accounting and Bookkeeping, a 2022 Worldwide Finance Award winner, provides management information system (MIS) style monthly reporting. Their CEO is an FTA-approved tax agent.
The firm has an office in Dubai and offers a chart of accounts setup, monthly recording, month-end entries for depreciation, accruals, and prepaid expenses, and MIS reports for ageing, cost centres, and trends as part of its fixed fee packages. You will need to pay an additional fee for VAT, Corporate Tax, and payroll-related support.
3. The Accountant LLC
The Accountant has an office in Dubai and serves businesses in other emirates remotely. It describes itself as a Xero Certified Advisor. For a fixed monthly fee tied to transaction volume, the firm offers monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations (bank, card, payment gateways), recording and tracking of accounts payable and accounts receivable, VAT and Corporate Tax registration and filing, payroll, and EOS gratuity calculations. The package is suitable for e-commerce sellers. The firm hasn’t published pricing for its packages but states that there is no lock-in period.
4. Parker Russell UAE
Parker Russell UAE, founded as Haris & Associates Auditing, has been operating since 1998 and is part of Parker Russell International. The firm has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain. They haven’t published pricing information for their packages but state that they provide support for transaction recording, bank reconciliation, accounts receivable and payable management, payroll processing, and financial reporting that includes profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and trial balances.
You can engage them for on-site or cloud-based services. This makes Parker Russell UAE a good fit for companies that want on-site delivery of services or temporary accounting staff.
5. Shuraa Tax
Shuraa Tax was founded in 2018 and has an office in Dubai. Their SME package starts from AED 8,000 plus VAT and includes bookkeeping, financial statements, quarterly reporting, and Corporate Tax registration and filing. They offer VAT compliance support in higher packages and do not offer payroll processing. Their website has a free AI tax assistant.
6. Fastlane
Fastlane is a Dubai-based accounting firm that works in Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Xero, and Tally. The firm states that it is an FTA-registered tax agent. Their services include monthly accounting with VAT, Corporate Tax, and payroll priced separately.
The monthly accounting package starts at AED 499 per month, while VAT filing is charged at AED 199 per quarter, and Corporate Tax starts at AED 249. Payroll services are offered for AED 25 per employee per month.
Comparison table
| Provider | Published starting price | VAT & CT filing | Payroll | UAE offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skrooge.ai | AED 499/month | Included in package | Included; WPS file AED 59/employee | Dubai, Abu Dhabi |
| KBA Accounting | Not published | Separate services | Separate service | Dubai |
| The Accountant LLC | Not published | Included in scope (fee scales) | Yes | Dubai |
| Parker Russell UAE | Not published | Not stated on bookkeeping page | Yes | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain |
| Shuraa Tax | AED 8,000 + VAT per package | CT in SME package; VAT in higher package | Not in packages | Dubai |
| Fastlane | AED 499/month | Priced separately (VAT AED 199/quarter, CT from AED 249) | AED 25/employee | Dubai |
Note: Prices are as stated by each firm and may change. Confirm current rates with the provider before signing.
If you want a bookkeeping-only comparison, see this list of bookkeeping firms in Dubai for startups. If you are still setting up, our guides to mainland business setup in Dubai and how to start a business in the UAE explain what comes before your first set of books.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do outsourced bookkeeping services include?
Outsourced bookkeeping services in Dubai include monthly recording and reconciliation of transactions, management of accounts receivable and payable, monthly reports, and VAT and Corporate Tax compliance support.
How much does a bookkeeping service in Dubai cost?
The price charged for outsourced bookkeeping services by the firms shortlisted in this article starts from AED 499 per month. The real cost for your business will depend on transaction volume and whether you choose a provider that includes VAT and Corporate Tax filings in the monthly package.
Are VAT and Corporate Tax filing included in outsourced bookkeeping?
Whether VAT and Corporate Tax filing is included in the monthly accounting package varies by firm. Skrooge.ai includes both in its package, while certain firms charge a per-return price or include these services in a higher tier.
Will I lose control of my books if I outsource?
No. If the provider maintains the books in shared cloud software such as Zoho Books or Xero, you will have access to your books. Many providers also offer monthly financial reports.
Is AI replacing bookkeepers?
No. Bookkeepers who use AI correctly to provide efficient accounting services stand to replace bookkeepers who don’t use AI or use it incorrectly. In most UAE accounting firms, AI is used for transaction categorization and matching while human accountants review the books and prepare VAT and Corporate Tax filings.
Conclusion
Small businesses must choose between outsourcing the accounting function or hiring an accounting team when the transaction volume and compliance requirements outgrow the bandwidth of founders or owners. Outsourcing allows your team to focus on core business activities. Maintaining an in-house team offers better control and response time, but scaling it can be expensive.
In contrast, you can engage a professional accounting firm in Dubai for as low as AED 499 per month. When choosing a bookkeeping service in Dubai, don’t simply pick the cheapest package. Compare what the monthly fee includes and consider whether the provider’s services scale with your business’s growth.
