ADGM Approved Auditors

About ADGM and Why Hire Approved Auditors?

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is a financial free zone operating under its own common law framework, home to financial institutions, holding companies, and a growing base of operating businesses across Al Maryah and Al Reem Island. Under the ADGM Companies Regulations, every company must prepare annual accounts, and most must have those accounts audited by a firm on the Registration Authority’s list of Registered Auditors. Any ADGM company approaching its Accounting Reference Date, filing its annual accounts, or electing Qualifying Free Zone Person status under UAE Corporate Tax needs a Registered Auditor for this purpose; the Registration Authority will not accept accounts audited by an unlisted firm.

Audit Requirements for ADGM Companies

• Annual accounts must be prepared under IFRS and, in most cases, audited by an ADGM Registered Auditor
• Private companies and LLPs generally have nine months from their Accounting Reference Date to file, while public companies have six months
• Small companies below the turnover and headcount thresholds may ordinarily file an unaudited balance sheet, but this exemption does not apply to companies electing QFZP status for the 0% Corporate Tax rate
• Filings are submitted through the ADGM Registration Authority’s online registry
• Late filings can result in penalties from the Registration Authority and, for QFZPs, separate enforcement risk from the Federal Tax Authority

Documents Required for ADGM Audit Submission

• Certificate of incorporation and current commercial license
• Trial balance and general ledger for the financial year
• Bank statements and reconciliations
• Board resolution approving the accounts and appointing the auditor
• Director’s report, where required for the company’s size and type
• Prior year audited accounts, where applicable

AFD Auditors Process for ADGM Approved Audits

1. Engagement & Planning – We confirm scope based on your Accounting Reference Date and whether QFZP status applies.
2. Document Collection – We request trial balance, bank records, and supporting board resolutions.
3. Audit Fieldwork – We test transactions and balances in line with International Standards on Auditing and IFRS.
4. Financial Statement Preparation – We prepare IFRS-compliant accounts with the director’s report where required.
5. RA Filing – We finalize the signed auditor’s report and file the accounts through the ADGM Registration Authority portal.