First Month of Accounting FREE for New Clients
Looking for an affordable accountant in Dubai? Start with us — your first month of accounting is FREE for eligible new clients.
If you are a small business owner, startup, freelancer or growing company, you may not need to spend thousands of dirhams every month on maintaining your accounts.
At Shaikh Associates, we provide affordable accounting and bookkeeping services in Dubai, with packages designed around the size and needs of your business. And you don't have to deal with different providers for every requirement.
Accounting + Bookkeeping + VAT + Corporate Tax + Audit — All Under One Roof. Our team can handle your accounting requirements from day-to-day bookkeeping through to VAT, Corporate Tax and audit support in the UAE, giving you one place to manage your financial and compliance requirements.
How Much Does an Accountant Cost in Dubai in 2026?
The cost of an accountant in Dubai depends on the size of your business, number of transactions, number of bank accounts, VAT registration, payroll, accounting software and the level of reporting required.
For a small business, outsourced accounting and bookkeeping services in Dubai can generally be much more economical than hiring a full-time accountant.
Indicative market pricing for accounting fees in the UAE can range from approximately AED 500 to AED 5,000+ per month, depending on the scope and complexity of the work.
But here's the important point: you don't necessarily need to spend AED 500, AED 4,000 or AED 5,000 every month just to maintain proper accounting records.
If your business is small, your accounting requirement is likely to be small too. That's where an affordable outsourced accounting service in Dubai can make sense.
| Business size | Indicative monthly fee | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| Startup / freelancer | AED 500 – 1,500 | Low transaction volume, single entity, basic reporting |
| Growing SME | AED 1,500 – 3,500 | VAT filing, monthly closes, partner review |
| Multi-entity / complex | AED 3,500 – 5,000+ | Corporate Tax, payroll, consolidation, audit support |
See our published pricing tiers from AED 999/month or use the bookkeeping cost calculator for a quick estimate.
Small Business? Don't Let Accounting Become a Big Expense
We understand how small businesses work. When you're starting a business, every dirham matters.
You have rent, salaries, licences, software, marketing, suppliers and other operating expenses. Spending a large amount on accounting every month can unnecessarily increase your fixed costs.
That's why our small business accounting packages in Dubai are designed to be practical and affordable.
- You don't need a large accounting department.
- You don't need to hire a full-time accountant.
- And you don't need to pay for services you don't actually require.
We can scale the accounting service according to your business. If you have a small number of transactions, we keep the accounting cost low. If your business grows, we can scale the service with you.
Your First Month of Accounting FREE
If you're a new client looking for accounting and bookkeeping services in Dubai, we'll give you your first month of accounting FREE, subject to the applicable package and scope of work.
Why? Because we want you to experience our service before making a long-term commitment. You can see how we maintain your books, how we communicate with you and how we handle your accounting requirements.
No expensive commitment just to get started. Start with us. Experience the service. Then decide.
You can also start our 30-day free bookkeeping trial — no credit card, no contract.
One Place for Your Accounting, VAT, Corporate Tax & Audit
One of the biggest advantages of working with us is that you don't have to keep searching for a different professional for every requirement. Your accounting team can coordinate your requirements across:
Bookkeeping & Accounting Services in Dubai
We maintain your books and keep your financial records up to date. This can include:
- Recording sales and purchases
- Recording expenses
- Bank reconciliation
- Accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Journal entries and fixed asset records
- General ledger maintenance
- Monthly Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and financial reporting
VAT Services in the UAE
We can assist with your UAE VAT requirements, including:
- VAT accounting and reconciliation
- VAT return preparation and filing
- VAT advisory and VAT-related accounting support
Corporate Tax Services in the UAE
Your accounting records form an important part of your Corporate Tax compliance in the UAE. We can assist with:
- Corporate Tax accounting and tax adjustments
- Taxable income calculations
- Corporate Tax return preparation and filing
- Corporate Tax-related accounting support
Audit & Financial Statements
Where your business requires audit or financial statement support, you can coordinate this through the same professional network rather than starting from scratch with another accounting provider. This means your books, financial records and tax information can be maintained with continuity throughout the year.
Why Choose Chartered Accountants for Your Bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is not simply about entering numbers into accounting software. Your books ultimately form the foundation for:
VAT → Corporate Tax → Financial Statements → Audit → Business Decisions
If your bookkeeping is wrong, problems can appear later when preparing VAT returns, calculating Corporate Tax or preparing financial statements.
That's why our team combines experienced bookkeepers with Chartered Accountants. Our professionals understand not only how to record transactions, but also why those transactions matter from an accounting, tax and reporting perspective.
Experienced Team Led by a Chartered Accountant with EY Experience
Our team is led by Arsalaan Shaikh, a Chartered Accountant with professional experience including Ernst & Young (EY).
With experience across accounting, taxation, audit and advisory work, the objective is to bring a professional standard of accounting to businesses of all sizes — including businesses that may not be ready to maintain a large in-house finance team.
The team includes experienced accounting and bookkeeping professionals who work under professional supervision. The result? You get the benefit of a professional accounting team without having to build an expensive finance department yourself.
How Much Can a Small Business Save by Outsourcing Accounting?
Consider the costs associated with employing a full-time accountant in Dubai. Apart from salary, a business may also have expenses related to:
- Visa and employment costs
- Insurance, leave and end-of-service benefits
- Office space and equipment
- Accounting software and training
- Recruitment and employee replacement
A full-time accountant in Dubai typically costs roughly AED 8,000–15,000/month in salary alone, before visa, insurance and office costs. For a small business with limited transactions, hiring a full-time accountant may not be economically efficient.
With outsourced accounting, you pay for the service you actually need. That's why outsourced bookkeeping and accounting in Dubai can be particularly attractive for startups and SMEs.
What Do You Get With Shaikh Associates?
Instead of managing multiple professionals for different requirements, you can have one team handling your financial records and coordinating your accounting and compliance needs.
Your business gets:
- Experienced bookkeepers with Chartered Accountant supervision
- Bookkeeping & accounting, VAT support and Corporate Tax support
- Financial statements and audit support
- Payroll accounting and one point of contact
- Affordable packages for small businesses
- First month FREE for eligible new clients
We Keep Accounting Affordable
We don't believe that a small business should have to pay the same accounting fees as a large corporation. If your business is small, your accounting requirement may also be small. So why pay for a large accounting package?
Our approach is simple: tell us what your business needs. We'll give you a package that fits your business and your budget.
Whether you have a handful of transactions every month or a growing business with a more complex accounting requirement, we can structure the service accordingly.
Affordable Accounting Starts Here
You started your business to build a business — not to spend your time worrying about bookkeeping.
Let us take care of your books.
Accounting. Bookkeeping. VAT. Corporate Tax. Financial Statements. Audit Support.
One professional team. One place. Less hassle. And for eligible new clients, your first month of accounting is FREE.
Contact Shaikh Associates today and ask us for an affordable accounting package designed around your business — or start your 30-day free trial.
Fees vary by firm and scope. Figures above reflect typical Dubai market rates in 2026. Eligible new clients only for first-month-free offer — subject to package and scope. This guide is educational, not accounting or tax advice.
Fellow Chartered Accountant (ICAI), ex-EY Tax & Advisory, and COP holder with an LLB. Arsalaan leads Shaikh Associates' UAE tax practice — in practice since 2015 and 500+ entities advised. Connect on LinkedIn → · Full profile →
Need help with bookkeeping?
Speak directly with a Big 4-trained partner. Fixed fees. No surprise invoices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost in Dubai?
Accounting fees in Dubai depend on the number of transactions, business activity, VAT status, payroll, reporting requirements and other factors. Small businesses can often use outsourced accounting services at a considerably lower cost than maintaining a full-time accountant.
What is the cost of bookkeeping in Dubai?
Basic bookkeeping for a small business can start at relatively low monthly fees, while businesses with higher transaction volumes and additional requirements will pay more. The correct fee should be based on the actual workload rather than simply the size of the company.
Do small businesses need a full-time accountant?
Not necessarily. Many small businesses can outsource their accounting and bookkeeping and obtain professional support without employing a full-time accountant.
Can one company handle accounting, VAT and Corporate Tax in the UAE?
Yes. Using one professional accounting provider can make it easier to maintain continuity between bookkeeping, VAT, Corporate Tax and financial reporting.
Do you provide accounting services to startups in Dubai?
Yes. We work with startups, freelancers, small businesses, free zone companies and established businesses.
Is the first month really free?
Yes. Eligible new clients can receive their first month of accounting free, subject to the applicable service package and scope of work.
How can I get a quotation?
Contact us with your business activity, approximate monthly transactions, VAT status, number of employees and your accounting requirements. We can then recommend an appropriate package.