UAE audit document checklist: final trial balance, bank reconciliations (all accounts), debtors ageing, creditors ageing, fixed asset register, inventory count and valuation, related party transaction schedule, payroll summary and GPSSA reconciliation, VAT return reconciliation, and management representation letter.
UAE audit preparation checklist
- Final trial balance: Agreed, finalised, with no pending journal entries. The auditor starts here — every line is tested. Post all accruals, prepayments, depreciation, gratuity, and leave accruals before providing.
- Bank reconciliations: All bank accounts reconciled as at the year-end date. Bank statements for the last 3 months attached. Unreconciled items explained.
- Debtors ageing and confirmation list: Full debtors listing with invoice dates, amounts, and ageing. For large balances, auditors send confirmation letters — have customer contact details ready.
- Creditors ageing: Full creditors listing. Auditors will confirm selected balances with suppliers and review any payables held beyond 120 days.
- Fixed asset register: Current, with cost, accumulated depreciation, and carrying value per asset. Additions and disposals in the year clearly marked. Auditors will physically inspect selected assets.
- Inventory count certificate: Signed by a director confirming the physical count date, count result, and that the count was conducted correctly. Auditors may attend the count or perform a rollback.
- Related party schedule: List all related parties (directors, shareholders, group companies) and every transaction with them in the year. Include intercompany balances and the basis for pricing (arm’s length confirmation).
- Payroll summary: Monthly payroll totals — gross pay, GPSSA contributions, deductions, and net WPS payments. Reconcile to bank WPS debits. GPSSA remittance confirmations attached.
- VAT return reconciliation: Reconcile total output VAT per returns filed to total revenue in the P&L. Reconcile input VAT per returns to total purchases. Unexplained differences are audit findings.
- Loan agreements: All bank loan agreements, director loan agreements, and intercompany loan schedules. Auditors verify the balance, terms, and that interest is being accrued correctly.
- Share register and corporate documents: Trade licence, Memorandum of Association, share register, and minutes of any board meetings held during the year.
- Management representation letter: Auditors provide a standard template. Directors must sign confirming: all information has been provided, no undisclosed liabilities, no material post-balance-sheet events, and that the accounts give a true and fair view.
Common audit findings in UAE businesses
- VAT reconciliation differences: Revenue per P&L does not reconcile to output VAT per VAT returns. Cause: different revenue recognition timing or missed VAT on certain supplies.
- Unreconciled intercompany balances: Entity A’s receivable from entity B does not agree to entity B’s payable. Auditors require written confirmation from both parties.
- Missing or incomplete fixed asset register: Assets purchased in prior years not on the register; fully depreciated assets still physically present but removed from the register.
- Director’s personal expenses through the company: Non-deductible personal expenses posted to business accounts. Auditors will classify these as director drawings or request they be repaid.
- No GPSSA reconciliation: GPSSA contributions on the balance sheet do not reconcile to the GPSSA statements. Often caused by late GPSSA registration of new UAE national employees.
Need an audit file prepared before your UAE auditor arrives?
We prepare the full UAE audit file — trial balance, reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documents. Fixed fee, delivered before fieldwork.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important document for a UAE audit?+
The final, agreed trial balance — auditors start here and work through every line. It must be finalised with all year-end journals (accruals, depreciation, gratuity, prepayments) posted before the trial balance is handed to the auditor.
Do UAE auditors confirm debtors and creditors directly with third parties?+
Yes — for selected material balances, auditors send confirmation requests directly to debtors and creditors. If a debtor does not respond, the auditor performs alternative procedures (confirming the receivable against post-year-end cash receipts). Prepare customer and supplier contact information in advance.
What is the management representation letter in a UAE audit?+
A letter signed by the directors confirming that: all information provided to the auditor is complete and accurate; there are no undisclosed liabilities or contingencies; financial statements comply with IFRS; and there are no post-balance-sheet events that should be disclosed but have not been. Without this letter, the auditor cannot issue their report.
How do UAE auditors handle physical asset verification?+
Auditors select a sample of fixed assets from the register and physically inspect them — confirming they exist, are in working condition, and are in the location stated. They also inspect for assets that exist physically but are not on the register (unrecorded purchases). Clear asset labelling with asset tags speeds this process.
What is a VAT reconciliation in the audit context?+
Auditors reconcile total revenue per the financial statements to total output VAT reported across all VAT returns filed in the year. The difference should be zero (except for exempt supplies). Similarly, input VAT claimed should reconcile to total purchases. Unexplained differences indicate either a VAT filing error or an accounting error.