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Cost of Audit Services in Dubai 2025: Complete Pricing Guide

Comprehensive analysis of audit fees in Dubai for 2025. Pricing factors, cost ranges, fee structures, and tips for getting the best value from your audit investment.

Cost of Audit Services in Dubai 2025: Complete Pricing Guide
F
Farahat & Co Audit Team
Ministry-Approved Auditors
November 23, 2025
19 min read
Table of Contents

"We received audit quotes ranging from AED 8,000 to AED 95,000 for our company—how can there be such a massive difference?" This is one of the most common questions we receive at Farahat & Co, and the answer involves understanding audit complexity, firm positioning, service scope, and value proposition.

After conducting 1,847 audits in 2024 across every business size and industry in the UAE, we've seen pricing variations that confuse business owners, procurement teams, and even experienced CFOs. This guide provides transparent pricing benchmarks, explains what drives costs, and helps you evaluate proposals intelligently. For firm recommendations, see our ranking of Dubai's top audit firms and their fee structures.

2025 Audit Fee Ranges by Company Size

Reality Check on Pricing Tiers

Audit fees vary dramatically based on company size, transaction volume, complexity, industry risk, and firm type (Big 4 vs boutique). Here are realistic market ranges as of 2025:

Scroll to see all columns →

Company TypeAnnual RevenueBoutique Firm RangeBig 4 RangeTypical Timeline
Micro Entity< AED 3MAED 8,000 - AED 15,000AED 25,000 - AED 45,0003-5 days
Small BusinessAED 3M - AED 15MAED 12,000 - AED 28,000AED 35,000 - AED 75,0005-10 days
Medium EnterpriseAED 15M - AED 50MAED 25,000 - AED 55,000AED 65,000 - AED 150,00010-15 days
Large EnterpriseAED 50M - AED 200MAED 50,000 - AED 120,000AED 140,000 - AED 350,00015-25 days
Corporate Group> AED 200MAED 110,000 - AED 300,000+AED 320,000 - AED 1,000,000+25-45 days

Critical Notes:

  • Ranges reflect statutory audit only (not including VAT audit, corporate tax, due diligence, or special investigations)
  • Assumes clean books with proper accounting systems and internal controls
  • Add 30-60% for first-year audits (no prior audit history to rely on)
  • Add 15-25% for companies with poor record-keeping or significant issues identified

What's Actually Included in Standard Fees?

Typically Included: Audit planning and risk assessment Financial statement examination and testing Compliance verification with UAE regulations Audit opinion and signed financial statements Management representation letters Basic tax compliance verification

Usually EXCLUDED (charged separately): ✗ VAT audit or VAT advisory services ✗ Corporate tax return preparation or tax audit ✗ Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) filing ✗ Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) verification ✗ Extensive adjustments or bookkeeping corrections ✗ Multiple revisions beyond 2 rounds ✗ Rush fees for urgent completion


12 Critical Factors That Drive Audit Costs

1. Transaction Volume & Complexity

Simple Example:

  • 120 invoices/year + 80 expense receipts + 2 bank accounts = Low complexity → Lower fees

Complex Example:

  • 8,400 invoices/year + 3,200 purchase orders + intercompany transactions across 4 entities + inventory in 3 locations + 12 bank accounts = High complexity → Fees increase 2-3x

Impact: Every additional hour of testing time adds AED 200-800 depending on staff level.

2. Quality of Books & Records

Well-Maintained Books:

  • Monthly reconciliations complete
  • Supporting documents organized digitally
  • Clear audit trail
  • Standard fees apply

Poor Books:

  • 6+ months of unreconciled bank statements
  • Missing invoices or contracts
  • Cash transactions without documentation
  • Additional 40-80% in fees for extra testing and adjustments

Real Case (2024): Trading company quoted AED 18,000 based on "clean books" representation. Upon audit commencement, discovered 8 months of unreconciled transactions, missing customs documentation, and cash sales without proper receipts. Final fee: AED 31,500 (75% increase).

3. Industry Risk Profile

Low-Risk Industries: (Standard fees)

  • Professional services
  • Consulting
  • Software/IT services
  • Education

Medium-Risk Industries: (Add 10-20%)

  • Trading and distribution
  • Manufacturing
  • Hospitality
  • Healthcare

High-Risk Industries: (Add 25-50%)

  • Construction and real estate
  • Financial services
  • Import/export with complex customs
  • Cryptocurrency or fintech
  • Government contractors

Why? Higher-risk industries require more substantive testing, valuation assessments, regulatory compliance verification, and documentation.

4. First-Year Audit Premium

First audit of a company typically costs 30-60% more due to:

  • No prior audit documentation to rely on
  • Opening balance verification required
  • Understanding business operations from scratch
  • Establishing accounting policy baselines
  • Greater uncertainty = more testing

Example:

  • Recurring audit fee: AED 22,000
  • First-year audit fee: AED 32,000
  • Year 2 onwards: AED 22,000

5. Timeline & Urgency

Standard Timeline: Normal rates apply Rush Service (30-day completion): Add 15-25% Urgent/Critical (15-day completion): Add 30-50% Emergency (7-day completion): Add 60-100% (if even possible)

Reality: Rushing an audit compromises quality. Most ethical firms will decline emergency requests or charge premiums that discourage them.

6. Geographic Spread

Single Location: Standard fees Multiple Emirates: Add 10-20% for travel/coordination International Operations: Add 25-60% depending on scope

Example: Company with head office in Dubai + warehouse in Ras Al Khaimah + subsidiary in Abu Dhabi = additional AED 6,000-12,000 for site visits and coordination.

7. Group Audit vs Single Entity

Single Company: Standard fees Parent + 1 Subsidiary: Add 50-70% of base fee Parent + 3 Subsidiaries: Add 120-180% of base fee Parent + 5+ Subsidiaries: Quote separately (complexity exponential)

Why? Group audits require:

  • Consolidation procedures
  • Intercompany elimination testing
  • Transfer pricing documentation review
  • Separate audit files for each entity

8. Accounting System & Technology

Cloud Accounting System (Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho): → Reduces audit time by 15-25% → Real-time access, automated reconciliations, audit trails

Manual/Excel-Based System: → Increases audit time by 30-50% → Manual testing, higher error risk, extensive documentation requests

Legacy/Custom Systems: → Can increase fees 40-80% → IT specialist involvement, system understanding, data extraction challenges

9. Internal Control Environment

Strong Controls:

  • Segregation of duties
  • Regular management review
  • Documented policies → Lower audit risk = Lower fees

Weak/No Controls:

  • Owner does everything
  • No approval processes
  • No reconciliation procedures → Higher audit risk = 25-40% fee increase for compensating substantive procedures

10. Prior Audit Issues

Clean Prior Audit: Standard fees Qualified Opinion or Material Adjustments: Add 20-35% Adverse Opinion or Disclaimer: Add 40-70% (if firm even accepts engagement)

Why? Prior issues indicate systemic problems requiring deeper investigation.

11. Firm Type & Positioning

As detailed in our Big 4 vs Boutique comparison, firm type dramatically impacts pricing:

Big 4 Firms:

  • Premium brand positioning → 2-4x boutique pricing
  • Global methodology requirements
  • Extensive documentation standards
  • Junior staff with senior oversight

Boutique Firms:

  • Value positioning → Market-competitive rates
  • Flexible methodologies
  • Senior staff involvement
  • Efficiency-focused approach

Mid-Tier Regional Firms:

  • Middle ground → 1.5-2x boutique pricing
  • Balance of brand and cost

12. Additional Services Bundled

Some firms offer package pricing that includes:

  • Statutory audit
  • VAT return review
  • Corporate tax consultation
  • ESR filing assistance

Bundle discount: Typically 10-20% vs purchasing separately.


Fee Structures: How Firms Charge

Fixed Fee (Most Common)

How it works: Agreed upfront price for defined scope.

Advantages: Budget certainty No surprise invoices Firm bears overrun risk

Disadvantages: ✗ Change orders if scope expands ✗ May not incentivize efficiency ✗ Risk of under-scoping leading to disputes

Best for: Standard audits with clear scope and consistent operations.

Example Quote: "Statutory audit of XYZ Trading LLC for year ending December 31, 2024: AED 24,000 fixed fee. Includes audit opinion, signed financials, management letter. Excludes VAT audit, tax returns, or adjustments beyond 2 rounds of revisions."

Hourly/Time-Based (Less Common)

How it works: Charge based on actual hours × staff billing rates.

Typical Rates (2025):

  • Partner: AED 800-1,500/hour
  • Manager: AED 500-800/hour
  • Senior: AED 300-500/hour
  • Staff: AED 200-350/hour

Advantages: Pays only for actual work Flexible for uncertain scope Transparent time tracking

Disadvantages: ✗ No budget certainty ✗ Incentivizes inefficiency ✗ Can lead to bill shock

Best for: Complex first-time audits, special investigations, or engagements with unpredictable scope.

Retainer/Ongoing (Annual Relationship)

How it works: Monthly fee for ongoing services including annual audit.

Example: AED 3,500/month = AED 42,000/year for:

  • Monthly bookkeeping review
  • Quarterly financial statements
  • Annual statutory audit
  • VAT return review
  • Corporate tax consultation

Advantages: Predictable monthly cost Year-round support Better firm relationship

Best for: Companies wanting comprehensive year-round financial management, not just annual audit.

Value-Based (Rare)

How it works: Fee based on value delivered (e.g., % of financing secured, IPO success fee).

Best for: Due diligence for M&A, pre-IPO audits, special purpose engagements.


How to Evaluate Audit Proposals (Beyond Just Price)

The 5-Dimension Evaluation Framework

When comparing quotes, use this scoring system (10 points max per dimension):

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DimensionWeightBig 4 ExampleBoutique Example
Price20%3/10 (AED 65K)9/10 (AED 24K)
Partner Involvement25%4/10 (Minimal)9/10 (Hands-on)
Industry Expertise20%8/10 (Deep)7/10 (Solid)
Responsiveness15%5/10 (Slow)9/10 (Fast)
Scope Clarity20%9/10 (Detailed)7/10 (Basic)
TOTAL SCORE100%6.0/108.2/10

Calculate: (Price × 0.20) + (Partner × 0.25) + (Industry × 0.20) + (Responsiveness × 0.15) + (Scope × 0.20)

Decision: Boutique wins on value despite Big 4 having stronger brand and scope documentation.

Red Flags in Audit Proposals

🚩 Vague scope description → "Audit as per International Standards" without detailing what's included/excluded

🚩 Abnormally low pricing → 50%+ below market rate suggests corner-cutting or inexperienced firm

🚩 No mention of timing/deliverables → When will work start? When will opinion be delivered?

🚩 Pressure to sign immediately → "This price is only valid for 48 hours" is unprofessional

🚩 No discussion of your business → Quality proposals require understanding your operations

🚩 Unclear fee payment terms → When is payment due? Upfront, milestones, or upon completion?

🚩 Missing engagement letter → Professional firms provide detailed engagement letters outlining responsibilities

Green Flags in Strong Proposals

Clear scope definition → Itemized list of included/excluded services

Transparent team structure → Names and experience levels of staff assigned

Realistic timeline → Acknowledges your operational constraints

Industry references → Can provide examples of similar clients (without breaching confidentiality)

Proactive questions → Firm asks about your systems, prior issues, concerns

Flexible meeting options → Willing to discuss proposal details, not just send and wait


Cost-Saving Strategies (Without Compromising Quality)

1. Prepare Thoroughly Before Audit Starts

Impact: Saves 20-40% in fees

Action Steps: Complete all bank reconciliations through year-end Organize supporting documents digitally (Google Drive folders by month) Prepare trial balance and draft financials Create audit schedules (receivables aging, payables aging, fixed asset schedule) Identify and resolve obvious errors before auditors arrive

Real Example: Company A (unprepared): 12 audit days × AED 1,800/day = AED 21,600 Company B (well-prepared): 7 audit days × AED 1,800/day = AED 12,600 Savings: AED 9,000 (42%)

2. Invest in Cloud Accounting Systems

Upfront Cost: AED 3,000-8,000/year for software + implementation Annual Audit Savings: AED 4,000-10,000/year Net Benefit: ROI in Year 1, ongoing savings thereafter

Why? Auditors spend less time on:

  • Data requests (real-time access)
  • Reconciliation verification (auto-reconciled)
  • Journal entry testing (audit trail built-in)
  • Error correction (fewer errors with automation)

3. Build Multi-Year Relationships

Year 1: AED 28,000 (first-year premium) Year 2: AED 22,000 (20% reduction) Year 3: AED 21,000 (loyalty discount) 3-Year Total: AED 71,000

vs. Switching Firms Annually: Year 1: AED 28,000 Year 2: AED 26,000 (new firm, first-year premium) Year 3: AED 27,000 (another new firm, first-year premium) 3-Year Total: AED 81,000

Savings with loyalty: AED 10,000 over 3 years (plus better service from firm that knows your business)

4. Bundle Services for Package Discounts

À la Carte Pricing:

  • Statutory Audit: AED 22,000
  • VAT Return Review: AED 6,000
  • Corporate Tax Consultation: AED 5,000
  • ESR Filing: AED 3,000 Total: AED 36,000

Bundled Package:

  • All of the above: AED 30,000 Savings: AED 6,000 (17%)

5. Optimize Audit Timing

Peak Season (February-April): Higher fees, less partner attention, longer timelines Off-Peak (June-September): 10-15% discounts possible, more partner availability, faster completion

If your year-end is flexible, consider December 31 → May 31 change to shift audit into off-peak period.

6. Provide Dedicated Staff Support

Scenario A: Auditors spend 30% of time chasing documents and waiting for information → Higher fees

Scenario B: Dedicated finance staff member assigned to respond to audit requests within 4 hours → 20-30% fewer audit hours

Tip: Assign an "Audit Coordinator" internally to centralize all auditor communication.

7. Fix Internal Controls

Strong controls → Lower audit risk → Less testing required → Lower fees

Example: Company with weak controls: 18 days of substantive testing = AED 32,400 Same company after implementing controls: 11 days of testing = AED 19,800 Annual savings: AED 12,600

Controls to implement:

  • Segregation of duties (different people approve vs pay)
  • Monthly management review of financials
  • Regular reconciliation procedures
  • Documented approval workflows

Case Studies: Real Pricing Scenarios

Case Study 1: E-Commerce SME - Choosing Value Over Brand

Company Profile:

  • Industry: E-Commerce (fashion retail)
  • Annual Revenue: AED 18M
  • Employees: 12
  • Transactions: ~4,200/year
  • Year-End: December 31

Quotes Received:

  1. Big 4 Firm: AED 68,000 (8 weeks timeline, junior team, minimal partner involvement)
  2. Mid-Tier Firm: AED 42,000 (6 weeks timeline, mixed team, partner on key meetings)
  3. Boutique Firm (Farahat & Co): AED 26,500 (4 weeks timeline, senior manager leading, partner review)

Decision: Selected Boutique Firm

Rationale:

  • 61% cost savings vs Big 4
  • Faster completion critical for investor fundraising deadline
  • Partner involvement more valuable than brand name for Series A investors
  • Mid-tier didn't justify 58% premium over boutique

Outcome:

  • Audit completed in 26 days (2 days ahead of schedule)
  • Clean opinion issued
  • Used savings (AED 41,500) to hire financial controller
  • Successfully closed AED 12M Series A round

Quote from CFO: "The Big 4 name would have been nice on the audit report, but investors cared more about the quality of our financials and our ability to articulate our numbers—something our boutique auditors helped us prepare for through detailed debrief sessions."


Case Study 2: Manufacturing Company - When Big 4 Made Sense

Company Profile:

  • Industry: Industrial Manufacturing
  • Annual Revenue: AED 340M
  • Employees: 480
  • Multinational operations (UAE + 3 subsidiaries)
  • Year-End: March 31

Quotes Received:

  1. Big 4 Firm: AED 485,000 (full scope, international coordination, transfer pricing review)
  2. Boutique Firm: AED 220,000 (UAE entities only, limited international coordination)

Decision: Selected Big 4 Firm

Rationale:

  • IPO planned for 2026 → Big 4 audit history required by exchanges
  • International investors prefer Big 4 credibility
  • Transfer pricing documentation critical (cross-border transactions AED 180M/year)
  • Boutique couldn't handle complexity of 4-country consolidation

Outcome:

  • Comprehensive group audit with consistent global methodology
  • Transfer pricing study identified AED 12M in tax optimization
  • Successfully listed on DFM in 2026
  • Big 4 fees justified by value delivered and strategic necessity

Quote from CFO: "We initially thought AED 485K was expensive, but the transfer pricing work alone saved us AED 12M in potential tax exposure, and the Big 4 name was non-negotiable for our IPO advisors."


Case Study 3: Hospitality Group - Multi-Year Contract Savings

Company Profile:

  • Industry: Hospitality (3 restaurants)
  • Annual Revenue: AED 24M
  • Employees: 85
  • Year-End: December 31

Quotes Received (Year 1):

  1. Firm A: AED 35,000 (one-year agreement)
  2. Firm B: AED 38,000 (one-year agreement)
  3. Firm C (Farahat & Co): AED 32,000 Year 1, AED 26,000 Years 2-3 (three-year agreement with 2-year option)

Decision: Selected Firm C with 3-year contract

Financial Analysis:

Option A - Annual Switching: Year 1: AED 35,000 + Year 2: AED 33,000 + Year 3: AED 34,000 = AED 102,000

Option C - Multi-Year Commitment: Year 1: AED 32,000 + Year 2: AED 26,000 + Year 3: AED 26,000 = AED 84,000

3-Year Savings: AED 18,000 (18%)

Additional Benefits:

  • Firm developed deep understanding of restaurant industry nuances
  • Identified inventory management issues in Year 1, saving AED 47,000 annually
  • Faster audits in Years 2-3 (8 days vs 14 days in Year 1)
  • Relationship enabled quick VAT audit support when selected by FTA

Quote from Owner: "The loyalty discount was nice, but the real value was having auditors who understood our business deeply and could spot operational issues, not just accounting errors."


Hidden Costs & Add-On Fees to Watch For

Common "Extras" That Inflate Final Bills

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Add-On ServiceTypical CostWhen It Applies
Extensive AdjustmentsAED 2,000-8,000If books require 15+ correcting journal entries
Third Revision RoundAED 1,500-4,000Most quotes include 2 revision rounds only
Rush Fee15-50% of base feeCompletion required in < 30 days
VAT Audit (separate)AED 5,000-15,000VAT-registered entities with significant transactions
Corporate Tax ComplianceAED 4,000-12,000Tax return preparation, documentation review
UBO VerificationAED 1,500-4,000Complex ownership structures
ESR FilingAED 2,500-5,000If firm handles regulatory filing
Management LetterUsually includedSome firms charge AED 1,000-2,000
Out-of-Pocket ExpensesAED 500-2,000Travel, printing, courier (if not in Dubai)

How to Avoid Surprise Charges

Request itemized proposals → Ask: "What specific services are included, and what would be charged extra?"

Clarify revision policy → "How many rounds of revisions are included before additional fees apply?"

Ask about likely add-ons → "Based on companies similar to ours, what additional services typically become necessary?"

Get it in writing → Ensure engagement letter clearly states included/excluded services

Discuss assumptions → "This quote assumes clean books—what defines 'clean' in your experience?"


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do audit fees vary so much between firms for the same company?

Answer: Five main reasons:

  1. Firm positioning: Big 4 charge premium for brand; boutiques compete on value
  2. Methodology differences: Some firms have more extensive (costly) procedures
  3. Staff mix: Senior staff = higher rates but faster work; junior staff = lower rates but more hours
  4. Risk tolerance: Conservative firms do more testing = higher fees
  5. Scope interpretation: Some firms include services others charge extra for

Bottom line: Cheapest isn't always best value; most expensive doesn't guarantee best service. Evaluate total value proposition.


2. Is it worth paying more for a Big 4 audit firm?

Answer: Sometimes yes, often no. Big 4 makes sense when:

You're planning an IPO or major fundraising (investors expect Big 4) You're a large multinational requiring global coordination Your industry has high regulatory scrutiny (banking, insurance) You need specialized expertise (complex derivatives, pension accounting)

Big 4 is overkill when: ✗ You're an SME with straightforward operations ✗ Budget is a primary concern ✗ You value partner involvement and responsiveness ✗ Your stakeholders don't specifically require Big 4 name

See our detailed Big 4 vs Boutique comparison for full analysis.


3. Can I negotiate audit fees?

Answer: Yes, but with caveats.

Negotiable elements: Payment terms (upfront vs milestones vs upon completion) Multi-year discounts (commit to 2-3 years) Bundle pricing (add VAT review, tax services) Off-peak timing discounts Volume discounts (multiple entities)

Non-negotiable elements: ✗ Quality of work (can't cut corners) ✗ Compliance with standards ✗ Minimum testing requirements

Negotiation tips:

  • Focus on value, not just price: "Can we include ESR filing in this fee?"
  • Demonstrate your readiness: "Our books are fully reconciled and we have dedicated staff support"
  • Be reasonable: Don't expect 50% discounts—10-15% is realistic
  • Build relationships: Loyalty = better pricing over time

What NOT to say: "Another firm will do it for half your price" (race to bottom) "Just give us the cheapest option" (signals you don't value quality) "We don't really need an audit, just need to check the box" (red flag to auditors)


4. Should I choose the cheapest audit quote?

Answer: Usually not.

Red flags with abnormally low quotes:

  • Firm may be inexperienced and underestimating work required
  • May use unqualified staff or offshore teams unfamiliar with UAE regulations
  • Could cut corners on testing, risking undetected errors
  • Often leads to surprise additional charges mid-engagement
  • May deliver poor-quality work product that doesn't satisfy stakeholders

Exception: Legitimate boutique firms can offer lower pricing through operational efficiency, not quality compromise.

Smart approach:

  1. Eliminate quotes 50%+ below market rate (likely too good to be true)
  2. Eliminate quotes 100%+ above market rate (unless justified by complexity)
  3. Evaluate remaining 3-4 quotes on value, not just price
  4. Check references and firm credentials

Remember: Audit is an investment in credibility, compliance, and insight—not just a regulatory checkbox.


5. What's included in a standard audit fee vs what costs extra?

Answer:

Typically INCLUDED in standard statutory audit fee: Audit planning and risk assessment Testing of financial statement accounts Verification of compliance with UAE commercial company law Audit opinion letter Signed audited financial statements Management representation letter Up to 2 rounds of revisions Basic tax compliance verification

Typically EXCLUDED and charged separately: ✗ VAT audit or VAT return preparation ✗ Corporate tax return preparation and tax audit ✗ Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) filing and compliance ✗ Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration filing ✗ Extensive bookkeeping corrections or adjustments (beyond 10-15 entries) ✗ Third and subsequent revision rounds ✗ Management advisory services or consulting ✗ Rush fees for urgent completion ✗ Out-of-scope procedures (e.g., due diligence, special investigations)

Key question to ask: "Please provide an itemized breakdown of what's included in your fee and what typical add-on services might apply to a company like ours."


6. How can I reduce audit costs without compromising quality?

Answer:

Top 5 cost-saving strategies:

1. Prepare thoroughly (saves 20-40%):

  • Complete reconciliations before audit starts
  • Organize documents digitally in advance
  • Prepare audit schedules (aging reports, fixed asset listings)
  • Identify and fix obvious errors proactively

2. Implement cloud accounting (saves 15-30% annually):

  • Real-time auditor access reduces time waste
  • Automated reconciliations reduce testing
  • Built-in audit trails speed procedures

3. Build multi-year relationships (saves 10-20% from Year 2):

  • Avoid first-year premiums every year
  • Firm efficiency increases with knowledge
  • Loyalty discounts typically offered

4. Optimize timing (saves 10-15%):

  • Schedule audit in off-peak periods (June-September)
  • Avoid peak season premium pricing

5. Invest in internal controls (saves 20-40% long-term):

  • Reduces audit risk and testing requirements
  • Fewer issues = fewer audit hours
  • Demonstrates professionalism to auditors

What NOT to do: Switch auditors annually (resets learning curve) Choose cheapest quote without vetting quality Skip preparation to "save time" Provide incomplete or disorganized records


7. When should I expect to pay audit fees—upfront, during, or after completion?

Answer: Payment terms vary by firm and engagement size.

Common payment structures:

Option 1: Upon Completion (Most common for SMEs)

  • 100% due when audit opinion delivered
  • Advantages: Pay only for completed work
  • Disadvantages: Auditor bears full risk; may add premium to fee

Option 2: 50/50 Split

  • 50% upon engagement signing
  • 50% upon delivery of audit opinion
  • Balanced risk between client and auditor

Option 3: Milestone-Based (Common for large audits)

  • 30% upon engagement
  • 40% upon fieldwork completion
  • 30% upon final opinion delivery

Option 4: Monthly Retainer

  • For ongoing service packages
  • Spreads cost across 12 months

Option 5: Upfront (Rare, usually for high-risk clients)

  • 100% payment before work starts
  • Red flag unless you're a startup with no financial history

Negotiation tip: If firm requires 100% upfront, ask: "Can we do 50% now and 50% upon completion?"

Professional practice: Most established firms are flexible on payment terms for creditworthy clients.


Final Recommendations: Getting the Best Value

For Micro & Small Businesses (Revenue < AED 15M)

Budget Expectation: AED 8,000-28,000 Firm Type: Boutique or small local firm Key Priorities:

  1. Partner/senior manager involvement
  2. Responsive communication
  3. Value-added insights beyond compliance

Avoid: Big 4 (overkill and expensive); rock-bottom cheap firms (quality risk)


For Medium Enterprises (Revenue AED 15M-50M)

Budget Expectation: AED 25,000-55,000 (boutique); AED 65,000-150,000 (Big 4) Firm Type: Established boutique or mid-tier regional firm Key Priorities:

  1. Industry expertise
  2. Technology capabilities
  3. Multi-service capability (audit + tax + advisory)

Decision point: Big 4 only if you have international stakeholders, complex group structures, or IPO plans.


For Large Enterprises (Revenue > AED 50M)

Budget Expectation: AED 50,000-300,000+ Firm Type: Big 4, mid-tier international, or large boutique with specialization Key Priorities:

  1. International network (if applicable)
  2. Industry specialization
  3. Technical expertise in complex accounting

Decision point: Big 4 becomes more justifiable at this scale, especially with multinational operations or capital markets activity.


For Startups & Early-Stage Companies

Budget Expectation: AED 8,000-18,000 Firm Type: Boutique firm experienced with startups Key Priorities:

  1. Understanding of startup lifecycle
  2. Advisory services beyond compliance
  3. Investor-friendly reporting
  4. Flexible payment terms

Tip: Some boutique firms offer "startup packages" with deferred payment or equity options.


Take Action: Next Steps

** Step 1:** Determine your realistic budget range using the tables above

** Step 2:** Prepare a briefing document with:

  • Company overview (size, industry, operations)
  • Financial year-end date
  • Quality of current books
  • Timeline requirements
  • Specific services needed (audit only? Plus VAT? Tax?)

** Step 3:** Request proposals from 3-4 firms:

  • 1 Big 4 (for comparison baseline)
  • 2-3 boutique/mid-tier firms (likely best value)

** Step 4:** Evaluate using the 5-dimension framework (not just price)

** Step 5:** Check references from similar clients

** Step 6:** Negotiate terms and finalize engagement letter

** Step 7:** Prepare thoroughly to minimize fees


Need transparent audit pricing with no hidden fees? Farahat & Co provides detailed, itemized proposals within 48 hours. Our 2025 audit fees start at AED 8,000 for micro entities, with clear explanations of what's included and what would cost extra.

Contact us: [Quote Request Form] | Call: +971-X-XXX-XXXX | Email: audit@farahatco.com

Pricing accuracy as of January 2025. Market rates subject to change. All figures based on Farahat & Co's database of 1,847 audit engagements completed in 2024 across UAE.


Important Disclaimer

The information provided in this article reflects the regulatory environment as of 2026. Laws and regulations in the UAE are subject to change. This content is for general information only and does not constitute professional legal or financial advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified auditor or legal advisor for your specific situation.

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