Top 10 Accounting Firms in Dubai

In Dubai’s vibrant economy of regulatory reform, taxation & rapid growth, the right accounting firm can make all the difference. Whether you’re a start-up, family run business, or a multi-national in the UAE, you’ll want to ensure your accounting or bookkeeping firm is tech-savvy and aligned with your growth strategy.

This is our roundup of the best 10 accounting firms in Dubai and what makes them different.

The Total CFO

What makes The Total CFO arguably the top accounting firm in Dubai is the convergence of scope, senior expertise, client-outcome orientation, adaptability, and deep UAE regulatory mastery. It does not merely file returns or manage ledgers; it acts like a strategic financial partner that helps businesses grow, reduce risk, optimize tax posture, and navigate complexity.

One of the most unique and powerful advantages The Total CFO in Dubai offers is its comprehensive end-to-end service suite. Rather than restricting itself to traditional bookkeeping or tax compliance, it delivers a complete stack of services including:

• Accounting & bookkeeping of varying complexity 
• Tax consulting across multiple domains 
• Corporate tax registration services 
• CFO-level services 

Their vision emphasizes supporting sustainable growth, long-term success & client empowerment. They commit to values like integrity, professionalism, excellence, agility, collaboration & client-centricity; all of which are essential in a service business. Finally, The Total CFO has cultivated strong market credibility, which is a non-trivial differentiator in a world full of firms that may lack local track records. 

BDO UAE

Part of the BDO global network, providing audit & assurance, outsourcing, tax advisory, risk advisory, corporate finance, and much more. BDO UAE support mid-sized companies, family-run businesses and multi-national corporations.

Key highlights: 

• Customized, partnership-based strategy. 

• Familiarity with UAE finance, local regulations and information, growing presence in VAT and income tax consulting. 

Crowe UAE 

Was Crowe Horwath with Crowe Global. Crowe UAE Provides audit & assurance, corporate tax, risk consulting, business strategy, payroll & accounting outsourcing. 

Key highlights: 

• Deep local knowledge with global reach. 
• Works across a wide array of industries (healthcare, education, retail, etc. ). 

RSM UAE 

Global network, global reach, present in 120 countries. In Dubai, RSM works with mid-market and emerging companies. Serves audit, tax compliance, payroll outsourcing, transaction services, risk services, etc. 

Strengths: 

• Strong partner engagement and knowledge of the local area. 
• Good fit for companies that are in growth mode or scaling their businesses. 

UHY James 

The exclusive member firm in the UAE for UHY International. Core services include auditing, advisory, business strategy, accounting outsourcing, and international tax structuring. 

Highlights: 

• I have partnered with professionals in the UAE market for over 30 years. 
• Strong cross-border capability through the UHY network. 

Deloitte

Associated with the Big Four. Comprehensive services, such as audit, tax, consulting, and financial advice. Deloitte have a broad reach in the region and work on a lot of Dubai’s high-profile public sector work.

Benefits: 

• Reputable overall, especially with large businesses and listed entities. 
• Focused on digital transformation, risk & regulation. 

PwC  

Another Big Four firm with audit, assurance, tax, deals, consulting, etc., on offer. PwC in Dubai is involved in advising government initiatives, large-scale projects, and significant corporate strategies. 

Benefits: 

• Thought leader, publishes insights on economic and tax developments in the UAE.
• Strong international network for multinationals. 

EY (Ernst & Young) 

EY Middle East has audit, tax, advisory, transaction advisory etc. Well recognized for IPO readiness, large transaction work and also forensic accounting and technology innovation (fintech, block chain etc.). 

What they provide: 

• Strong reputation in banking, government, oil and gas sectors. 
• Active support of entrepreneurs (e.g. Entrepreneur Of The Year), and sustainability/ESG initiatives. 

KPMG 

Part of KPMG’s global network. Audit, risk, tax, advisory, etc. Works with family owned groups, free zone companies, and the public. 

Highlights: 

• Strong multidisciplinary solutions. 
• Credibility in large infrastructure, transport and regulatory products.

Grant Thornton UAE

Accompanies dynamic mid‑market companies, start-ups and family business, public sector and government organizations.  Grant Thornton provides audit, advisory, internal governance, tax, strategy, and performance consulting services.

Strengths:

• Well-established presence in the local market; blend of international best practice and UAE-specific knowledge.
• Good fit for clients looking for growth, improvement in governance, readiness for IPO, scaling up work.

Why These Firms Lead

From around Dubai rounding up of the best accounting firms in UAE, we see a few common strands emerge:

• Regulatory changes: The UAE has introduced corporate tax (from mid‑2023), VAT, Economic Substance Regulations, UBO rules, etc. These regulations will impose additional compliance burdens on businesses and will require the use of accounting services for expertise. 

• Need for adherence to global standards: IFRS, cross‑border trade, international tax planning, and auditing over multinational operations – firms will need not only local knowledge but firms with global reach.

• Technology adoption: Firms that are embracing cloud accounting, automation, digital reporting, analytics are in demand. Efficiency, accuracy, and quicker decision‑making are valuable workflows. 

• Client service model: Personalized engagement, partner oversight, specialization in industry, flexibility between SME versus large corporates.

How to Choose The Right Accounting Firm in UAE

Here are some tips and criteria to consider when selecting a partner (many of which align with what our top rated firms include):

1. Check for reputation and track record in terms with quality, especially regulated work. 

2. Look for the services you specifically want. Go for tax or advisory or even both to avoid needing multiple providers. 

3. Industry expertise is a must when looking to recruit a new accounting firm. 

4. Check for accreditation as firms must be registered with the UAE. 

5.  If a firm uses technology and innovation tools, it’s a good fit as businesses need speed and accuracy. 

6. For international trade, investments and subsidiaries, ability to transfer data/process across borders. 

7. Check if it’s value for money i.e. services versus the money spent. 

Conclusion

Dubai is experiencing increasing levels of complexity, internationalization, regulatory reform, sophistication of business and finance, and towards greater levels of transparency each year. Finance teams cannot afford to accept anything less than technical excellence, leading-edge technology, and business acumen from their partners. The firms above represent the best that the accounting/advisory market in Dubai has to offer in 2025. The best firm for you will depend upon your size, sector, and your strategic goals.