
The top 10 accounting firms listed below serve SMEs across the UAE. Skrooge.ai leads this comparison because its published monthly price already includes bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax filing, and payroll. The other firms that made the cut were PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, CLA Emirates, Jitendra CA, Alchemist, KLOUDAC, Fastlane, The Accountant LLC, and OnCount.
Accounting companies in the UAE have different pricing, packages, accreditations, and geographical coverage. The country’s accounting landscape serves multinational corporations as well as SMEs and startups.
For this comparison, we have focused on firms whose offerings suit SMEs.
While many comparisons focus primarily on Dubai, this article looks at which emirates each firm actually covers. This makes it easier for SMEs to assess their options based on location as well as desired services.
In this article, we have focused on key factors like pricing transparency, VAT and Corporate Tax services, office locations, and stated accreditations. We aim to help business owners compare firms and identify suitable options for their requirements.
How we chose these UAE accounting firms
We considered accounting firms based on their suitability for SMEs. We have based our opinion on the information published by the firms about their services, pricing, locations, and credentials. We have used the following criteria:
- SME focus: We considered firms whose offerings match the accounting needs of SMEs.
- Published prices and packages: We looked at whether firms disclose monthly prices for service packages, making it easier to compare costs.
- VAT and Corporate Tax services: For SMEs, tax registration, filing support, and VAT-compliant invoicing are important parts of regulatory compliance.
- Office locations by emirate: We considered the emirates in which each firm has offices.
- Accreditations: We considered the publicly disclosed accreditations of each firm.
The Big Four accounting firms in the UAE are EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC. These firms dominate large-scale audits and complex financial services. However, their offerings and/or pricing are not suitable for SMEs. Hence, we have excluded them.
The Top 10 best accounting firms in the UAE
The top accounting firms in the UAE have different pricing, geographical coverage, and offerings. Some offer bookkeeping, tax filing, and payroll under one monthly package, while others provide a wider range of audit, advisory, and company formation services.
Skrooge.ai stands out for SMEs that want one published monthly price covering bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax filing, and payroll, without paying separately for each filing.
It is followed closely by PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, Jitendra Chartered Accountants, and CLA Emirates. All of these firms have offices across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, except Jitendra Chartered Accountants, which has offices in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
In this comparison, we have also considered accounting firms that can support SMEs expanding across the GCC. Some of the firms mentioned here primarily serve businesses across all 7 emirates remotely.
1. Skrooge.ai: AI-powered accounting at a fixed monthly price
Skrooge.ai is an AI-powered provider of accounting services in the UAE, founded in 2025, with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm serves businesses across all 7 emirates and the major free zones. Its accounting package starts from AED 499 per month and includes bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax filing, payroll, and gratuity calculations. Businesses that need WPS salary files can engage Skrooge.ai for this service at AED 59 per employee. The package includes a Zoho Books account and access to the Skrooge App.
Unlike packages that charge for each VAT or Corporate Tax return separately, the Skrooge.ai package already covers these filings. The firm is worth considering for SMEs who want clarity regarding pricing and prefer having a single provider for bookkeeping, tax filing, and payroll.
2. PKF UAE: Established accounting and audit services across multiple free zones
PKF UAE, a part of PKF International, has operated in the UAE since 1976. The firm has 9 offices across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, including offices in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Internet City, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone, and Hamriyah Free Zone.
Its services extend beyond bookkeeping and tax compliance. PKF UAE offers a wide range of audit services (including internal audits, financial due diligence, and forensic accounting), accounting and management information system (MIS) services, outsourced payroll, VAT and Corporate Tax support, Excise Tax services, transfer pricing support, company formation services, and ICV services.
PKF UAE has not published its prices; you must request a quote. Its established presence and range of services make it worth considering for businesses that need accounting support alongside audit or advisory services, particularly when they operate in different free zones.
3. HLB HAMT: Company formation, accounting and e-invoicing
HLB HAMT, a member of HLB International, was established in 1999 and has offices spread across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, including locations in Jebel Ali Free Zone and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
You can engage HLB HAMT for audit, accounting and bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax compliance, payroll with WPS support, e-invoicing, and company setup.
HLB HAMT, too, hasn’t published its prices online. Its website states that it is accredited by the Ministry of Finance as an e-invoicing service provider.
4. CLA Emirates: Audit and accounting with an international network
CLA Emirates, formerly Emirates Chartered Accountants Group (ECAG), joined the CLA Global network in December 2024. The firm has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, including an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
Its services include audit and assurance, accounting and business advisory, tax support, and corporate services. This makes CLA Emirates relevant to SMEs that need more than day-to-day bookkeeping. Prices are available on request.
5. Jitendra Chartered Accountants: Accounting and audit in Northern Emirates free zones
Jitendra Chartered Accountants was established in January 2001 and has offices across Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah (the only firm with an office in this emirate). The firm offers audit, bookkeeping, VAT, Excise Tax, and Corporate Tax compliance support, e-invoicing, ICV, AML, and business formation. Their packages for SMEs start at AED 8,000 plus 5% VAT per year. These packages cover bookkeeping, financial statements, quarterly reporting, Corporate Tax registration, and filing. The accounting firm claims to be an FTA tax agent with the Tax Agency Approval Number (TAAN) of 30002497.
6. Alchemist Accounting: Zoho support and regional business expansion
Alchemist Accounting has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and it also operates in Qatar, Bahrain, and India, making its geographical presence relevant to businesses expanding beyond the UAE. The firm provides bookkeeping and outsourced accounting, VAT and Corporate Tax services, audits, payroll, ERP consulting, and business setup. It is also a Zoho Approved Partner.
Alchemist Accounting has not published its prices, so you must request a quote.
7. KLOUDAC: Accounting for startups and freelancers
KLOUDAC provides bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax services, payroll, CFO services, audit, AML, e-invoicing, and business setup. Its office is in the Dubai World Trade Centre, and the firm also operates in Colombo and London.
KLOUDAC has 4 packages, and they are priced at AED 499 per month for Starter, AED 699 per month for Essential, AED 999 per month for Growth, and AED 1,999 per month for Premium.
However, the website does not list the scope of services included in each tier. Before subscribing, ask for a breakdown of the included services and any additional charges for tax filing, payroll, or other requirements.
KLOUDAC works with Xero, Zoho Books, QuickBooks, and Tally.
8. Fastlane: Fixed fees for individual accounting services
Fastlane is based in Bur Dubai and offers bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax services, payroll, free zone audit reports, and e-invoicing. Its monthly accounting package cost starts from AED 499. You can also engage them for VAT filing at AED 199 per quarter, Corporate Tax filing starting from AED 249, and payroll at AED 25 per employee. Fastlane states that it is an FTA-registered tax agent and a Ministry of Economy-registered auditor.
9. The Accountant LLC: Remote accounting for e-commerce businesses
The Accountant LLC is based in Dubai and serves businesses across all 7 emirates, mostly remotely. It is particularly relevant to e-commerce businesses and Amazon sellers that use Xero. Its services include bookkeeping, management accounts, VAT and Corporate Tax support, payroll, part-time CFO services, and clean-up of backdated accounts. The firm charges a fixed monthly fee but has not published a starting price. It also does not require a lock-in contract. The Accountant LLC states that it is a Xero Certified Advisor.
10. OnCount: Remote accounting for multilingual teams
OnCount provides bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax compliance, payroll (with WPS), backlog recovery, and business setup. It has an office in Dubai and the firm serves businesses across all 7 emirates remotely. It is licensed by the International Free Zone Authority (IFZA).
The firm works with Zoho Books, Xero, and QuickBooks and operates its own client app. It also provides support in English, Arabic, Russian, and Hindi, making it worth considering for businesses with multilingual teams.
OnCount’s website states that basic bookkeeping may start from AED 500 per month. However, you should confirm the services covered in that price and whether additional fees apply for tax filing, payroll, or other services needed by your business.
Which emirates each firm covers
Since some businesses may need in-person meetings while others may prefer remote delivery of service, we have listed each firm’s offices and remote service coverage. Skrooge.ai and Alchemist Accounting have offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, and CLA Emirates have offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Jitendra Chartered Accountants has offices in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Other firms like The Accountant LLC and OnCount mainly serve clients across the UAE remotely. None of these 10 firms have an office in Ajman, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain. When choosing a firm based on office location, check whether the location is a staffed office or a free zone branch, and confirm that the firm understands your business’s tax jurisdiction.
Local expertise can be particularly useful when your business operates in a free zone or across multiple emirates.
| Firm | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Sharjah | Ras Al Khaimah | Ajman, Fujairah, UAQ |
| Skrooge.ai | Office | Office | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| PKF UAE | Office (incl. DIFC, JAFZA) | Office (incl. ADGM) | Office (incl. Hamriyah FZ) | Remote | Remote |
| HLB HAMT | Office (incl. JAFZA) | Office (incl. ADGM) | Office | Remote | Remote |
| CLA Emirates | Office | Office (incl. ADGM) | Office | Remote | Remote |
| Jitendra CA | Office (incl. JAFZA) | Remote | Office (SAIF Zone) | Office (RAKEZ) | Remote |
| Alchemist | Office | Office | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| KLOUDAC | Office | Remote | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| Fastlane | Office | Remote | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| The Accountant LLC | Office | Remote | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| OnCount | Office | Remote | Remote | Remote | Remote |
Your choice of accounting firm should be guided by service coverage and experience. Skrooge.ai includes VAT and Corporate Tax filing in its monthly package. A similar level of price transparency is offered by Jitendra Chartered Accountants in its annual SME packages. KLOUDAC, Fastlane, and OnCount publish starting prices. Other firms do not publish prices. Check what each fee includes, whether filings are charged separately, and which accounting software the firm supports by name before comparing packages.
| Firm | Published price | VAT & CT | Software stated |
| Skrooge.ai | From AED 499/month | Filing included in package | Zoho Books, Skrooge App |
| PKF UAE | Not published | Yes | Not stated |
| HLB HAMT | Not published | Yes | Own e-invoicing platform |
| CLA Emirates | Not published | Tax services | Not stated |
| Jitendra CA | From AED 8,000/year + VAT | CT in SME package; VAT in Growth | Not stated |
| Alchemist | Not published | Yes | Zoho (Approved Partner) |
| KLOUDAC | From AED 499/month | Yes | Xero, Zoho, QuickBooks, Tally |
| Fastlane | From AED 499/month | Priced per filing | Zoho, QuickBooks, Xero, Tally |
| The Accountant LLC | Not published | Yes | Xero |
| OnCount | From AED 500/month (stated as “may start”) | Yes | Zoho, Xero, QuickBooks |
What UAE SMEs must keep in order
UAE SMEs need to maintain accurate financial records, register for relevant taxes, and file tax returns. Most businesses will be subject to VAT and Corporate Tax. Both of these taxes have specific registration thresholds, applicable tax rates, and filing requirements that businesses must account for.
VAT registration is mandatory if the value of your taxable supplies and imports exceeded AED 375,000 over the past 12 months, or is expected to exceed this threshold within the next 30 days. You can register voluntarily if your taxable supplies and imports, or your taxable expenses, exceeded AED 187,500 over the past 12 months or are expected to do so within the next 30 days. Newly incorporated companies must register for Corporate Tax within 3 months of incorporation.
VAT-registered businesses must charge VAT at the correct rate (5%, 0%, or exempt) and issue tax invoices. Businesses that are not registered for VAT cannot charge it. UAE’s corporate tax rate is 9%. This rate applies to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.
Different rules apply for certain businesses, including free zone entities, tax groups, and businesses that qualify for Small Business Relief (SBR).
Violating any of these requirements can result in penalties.
For more information on the tax compliance requirements in the UAE, you can refer to the Federal Tax Authority website.
Keeping up with reporting obligations and other regulatory obligations helps businesses maintain accurate financial records and monitor financial risks.
An accounting firm can help you manage these requirements, prepare filings, and maintain records. Before appointing a provider, confirm which compliance services are included in the package and whether you need additional financial advisory services or management consultancy.
FAQ
What are the best accounting firms in the UAE for SMEs?
The best accounting firms in the UAE for SMEs are Skrooge.ai, PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, CLA Emirates, Jitendra Chartered Accountants, Alchemist, KLOUDAC, Fastlane, The Accountant LLC, and OnCount. All of them serve clients across the UAE, either from local offices or remotely.
Which accounting firms have offices in Abu Dhabi?
Skrooge.ai, PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, CLA Emirates, and Alchemist Accounting have offices in Abu Dhabi. PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, and CLA Emirates also have offices in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
Which accounting firms have offices in Sharjah?
PKF UAE, HLB HAMT, and CLA Emirates have offices in Sharjah, and Jitendra Chartered Accountants has an office in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone). The other firms in this list serve Sharjah remotely.
How much do accounting firms in the UAE charge SMEs?
Published monthly starting prices begin at AED 499 for Skrooge.ai, KLOUDAC, and Fastlane. Jitendra Chartered Accountants offer annual packages from AED 8,000 plus 5% VAT. Before comparing fees, check whether VAT and Corporate Tax filings are included or charged separately.
Does my UAE company need an accountant for Corporate Tax?
Every taxable person must register for Corporate Tax, file a return within 9 months of the end of the relevant tax period, and retain records for at least 7 years. Engaging an accounting firm to manage these requirements can be more cost-effective for SMEs than hiring a full-time accountant. Outsourcing financial tasks can help you focus on core business activities. Professional accounting and financial reporting also help owners understand their financial position and make informed financial decisions.
Conclusion
When choosing an accounting firm in the UAE, compare what the monthly fee includes and whether their office is in the same jurisdiction as your place of registration. At the very least, you should choose a firm that already handles tax compliance in your jurisdiction and understands the relevant local regulations.
A lower starting price may not cover every filing or service your business needs. Check whether VAT and Corporate Tax filings, bookkeeping, and payroll are included. The right provider should match your business objectives, compliance requirements, and budget without leaving you to arrange essential services separately.
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Written by : Barika Awad
Barika Awad is a writer at UAE Script, sharing insightful content on fashion, lifestyle, and personal style with a focus on practical, elegant ideas.
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November 3, 2026

