Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

1.1 Agreement to Terms

By using our services, you confirm that you:

• Are at least 18 years of age and legally competent to enter into contracts
• Have the authority to bind your organization (if engaging on behalf of a business entity)
• Have read, understood, and agree to comply with these Terms and our Privacy Policy
• Acknowledge that these Terms constitute a legally binding agreement under UAE law

1.2 Organizational Representation

If you are using our services as an employee, director, agent, or representative of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms. References to "you" or "Client" include both individual users and the organizations they represent.

1.3 Updates to Terms

Farahat Office & Co. reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email to active clients. Continued use of our services after modifications constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.

2. Professional Services

2.1 Scope of Services

Audit Firms Dubai provides the following professional services through qualified, licensed auditors and consultants:

• External Audit Services: Statutory audits, financial statement audits, IFRS compliance audits, Ministry of Economy approved audit reports
• Internal Audit Services: Risk assessment, internal control evaluation, compliance reviews, fraud prevention programs
• Forensic Audit Services: Fraud investigations, litigation support, asset tracing, expert witness testimony
• Due Diligence Services: Financial due diligence, commercial due diligence, M&A transaction support, investment analysis
• RERA Audit Services: Real estate regulatory compliance audits, escrow account audits, Dubai Land Department filings
• VAT Audit Services: VAT compliance review, FTA audit support, voluntary disclosure assistance, VAT health checks
• Advisory Services: Tax planning, corporate governance, financial consulting, regulatory compliance advisory

2.2 Service Engagement Process

All professional services are provided under the following framework:

1. Initial Consultation: Free preliminary discussion to understand your needs
2. Proposal & Quote: Written proposal detailing scope, timeline, deliverables, and fees
3. Engagement Letter: Formal agreement signed by both parties defining terms, responsibilities, and limitations
4. Service Delivery: Professional execution according to agreed scope and timeline
5. Final Deliverables: Audit reports, management letters, certifications, or advisory recommendations

2.3 Not Legal Advice

The information and services provided by Audit Firms Dubai relate to accounting, auditing, and financial advisory. While we may address regulatory compliance and tax matters, we do not provide legal advice. For legal matters, we recommend consulting qualified legal counsel licensed in the UAE.

2.4 Service Limitations

Our services do not include:

• Legal representation or advocacy before courts or government agencies
• Preparation of legal contracts (except audit engagement letters)
• Immigration, visa, or labor law advisory
• Real estate brokerage or property transactions
• Services related to illegal activities, money laundering, or fraud concealment

3. Payments, Billing, and Refunds

3.1 Fee Structure

Audit and advisory fees are determined based on:

• Company Size: Annual revenue, total assets, number of employees
• Service Type: External audit, internal audit, forensic, due diligence, VAT, RERA
• Complexity Factors: Multi-currency transactions, international operations, group consolidations, inventory-heavy businesses, first-time audits
• Urgency: Standard delivery (7-10 days), express (3-5 days), emergency (72 hours)

All fees are quoted in UAE Dirhams (AED) or US Dollars (USD) and are exclusive of VAT where applicable.

3.2 Payment Terms

Standard payment terms:

• New Clients: 50% advance payment upon engagement letter signing, 50% upon completion
• Returning Clients: Net 30 days payment terms (subject to credit approval)
• Retainer Services: Monthly advance payment for ongoing internal audit or advisory services

Late payments incur a 2% monthly interest charge after the due date.

3.3 Accepted Payment Methods

We accept:

• Bank wire transfer (AED or USD) to our UAE bank account
• Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard) via PayTabs secure payment gateway
• Checks payable to "Farahat Office & Co." (UAE banks only)

3.4 Online Payment Security

Online card payments are processed through PayTabs, a PCI DSS compliant payment gateway. All transactions are encrypted with 3D Secure authentication. We never store complete credit card numbers. See our Privacy Policy for details.

3.5 Third-Party Credit Card Authorization

If a credit card used for payment is not in the client's name, the following documents are required:

• Photocopy of both sides of the credit card (signed by cardholder authorizing use)
• Authorization letter stating client name, payment amount, and service description
• Emirates ID or passport copies of both the client and cardholder

Failure to provide these documents may result in engagement suspension or cancellation.

3.6 Refund Policy

General Refund Terms:

• Before Work Begins: Full refund available within 7 business days of payment if no work has commenced
• After Work Begins: Prorated refund based on work completed (deducting hours worked at standard hourly rates)
• Completed Services: No refunds for completed audit reports or delivered advisory services
• Client-Caused Delays: No refunds if the client fails to provide required documentation within agreed timelines

Non-Refundable Fees:

• Government filing fees (Ministry of Economy, RERA, FTA, or other regulatory bodies)
• Third-party costs (registered agent services, notary fees, translation services)
• Express or emergency service surcharges

Billing Errors: If you believe there has been a billing error, contact us at billing@farahatco.com or call +971 4 250 0251 within 30 days of invoice date. We will investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.

3.7 Currency and Exchange Rates

Unless otherwise agreed, all fees are quoted and billed in UAE Dirhams (AED). If payment is made in a different currency, the exchange rate on the date of payment applies. Exchange rate fluctuations are the client's responsibility.

4. Client Responsibilities and Obligations

4.1 Document Provision

Clients are required to provide:

• Complete and accurate financial records (trial balance, general ledger, bank statements, invoices, receipts)
• Legal documents (trade license, memorandum of association, board resolutions, contracts)
• Tax records (VAT returns, corporate tax filings, TRN certificates)
• Prior year audit reports and management letters (if applicable)
• Access to accounting systems and authorized personnel for queries

Timeliness: Failure to provide required documents within agreed timelines may result in engagement delays or additional fees.

4.2 Accuracy of Information

You represent and warrant that all information provided to Audit Firms Dubai is:

• Accurate, complete, and not misleading
• Provided in good faith without intent to conceal material facts
• Authorized for disclosure (you have rights to share the information with us)

Audit opinions are based on the information you provide. We are not responsible for errors in financial statements resulting from incomplete or inaccurate client data.

4.3 Regulatory Compliance

Clients are responsible for:

• Maintaining proper books of accounts as required by UAE Commercial Law
• Filing tax returns and regulatory reports by statutory deadlines
• Implementing audit recommendations to address internal control weaknesses
• Notifying us of any material changes to business operations or ownership

4.4 Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use our services for:

• Illegal activities, money laundering, terrorist financing, or fraud
• Tax evasion or concealment of assets
• Misrepresenting our audit opinions or using reports for unauthorized purposes
• Violating UAE laws, international sanctions, or anti-corruption regulations

We reserve the right to terminate services immediately if we suspect illegal or unethical conduct.

5. Professional Standards and Independence

5.1 Audit Standards

All audit services are performed in accordance with:

• International Standards on Auditing (ISA)
• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS for SMEs
• UAE Federal Law and Ministry of Economy regulations
• Professional ethics codes of ICAI, ACCA, AICPA, and other certifying bodies

5.2 Auditor Independence

We maintain strict independence in accordance with professional standards. We will not provide audit services if:

• We have a financial interest in your business or hold management positions
• There are close personal relationships that impair objectivity
• We have provided bookkeeping or financial statement preparation services for the same period being audited
• Conflicts of interest exist with other clients (e.g., direct competitors in M&A transactions)

Clients must disclose any potential conflicts. We will assess and determine if safeguards can maintain independence.

5.3 Confidentiality

All client information is strictly confidential. We do not disclose your data to third parties except:

• With your explicit written consent
• When legally required (court orders, regulatory inquiries, government audits)
• To regulatory authorities as mandated by audit regulations (Ministry of Economy, FTA, RERA)
• For professional quality control reviews by oversight bodies

See our Privacy Policy for detailed information handling practices.

6. Intellectual Property and Document Ownership

6.1 Client Documents

All documents you provide to us (financial records, contracts, tax filings) remain your property. We retain copies as required by professional standards and UAE regulations for a minimum of 10 years.

6.2 Audit Reports and Deliverables

Audit reports, management letters, and advisory recommendations prepared for you are your property upon full payment of fees. However:

• Audit reports may only be used for their intended purpose (e.g., Ministry of Economy filing, bank submission, investor presentation)
• Redistribution or publication of reports requires our prior written consent
• You may not alter, modify, or misrepresent our opinions or findings

6.3 Our Intellectual Property

The following remain the exclusive property of Farahat Office & Co.:

• Audit methodologies, templates, checklists, and internal working papers
• Website content, software, branding, logos, and proprietary tools (e.g., fee calculator)
• Training materials, research publications, and thought leadership content

You may not copy, reproduce, reverse-engineer, or commercially exploit our intellectual property without written permission.

6.4 Use of Name and Testimonials

We may not use your company name in marketing materials, case studies, or testimonials without your express written consent. Client confidentiality extends to the fact of engagement itself unless you authorize disclosure.

7. Warranties, Disclaimers, and Limitation of Liability

7.1 Professional Care

We warrant that all services will be performed with reasonable professional care and skill by qualified, licensed professionals. Our audit opinions are based on evidence obtained through audit procedures and professional judgment.

7.2 No Absolute Assurance

Important: An audit is designed to provide reasonable assurance, not absolute certainty. Due to the test-based nature of auditing and inherent limitations, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements or fraud may not be detected even when the audit is properly planned and performed.

7.3 Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by UAE law, our services are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Guarantees of specific business outcomes or regulatory approvals
• Detection of all fraud, errors, or illegal acts

7.4 Limitation of Liability

Maximum Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Farahat Office & Co.'s aggregate liability for all claims arising from or related to our services shall not exceed the greater of:

• AED 5,000 (Five Thousand Dirhams), or
• The total fees paid by you to Audit Firms Dubai for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim

7.5 Exclusion of Consequential Damages

In no event shall Farahat Office & Co., its directors, partners, employees, or affiliates be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, business opportunities, or goodwill
• Business interruption or loss of data

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability) and even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

7.6 Third-Party Reliance

Our audit reports and advisory opinions are prepared solely for your use. Third parties (banks, investors, regulators) may rely on our reports only if:

• We have explicitly agreed in writing to their reliance
• The third party's identity and purpose of reliance were known at engagement commencement

We accept no liability to third parties who rely on our work without our prior written consent.

8. Client Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Farahat Office & Co., its directors, partners, employees, affiliates, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
• Inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information you provide
• Your unauthorized use of our audit reports or intellectual property
• Third-party claims related to your business operations or financial statements
• Your breach of confidentiality or misuse of our proprietary information

9. Termination of Services

9.1 Termination by Client

You may terminate our services at any time by providing written notice. Upon termination:

• You remain responsible for payment of all fees for work completed up to the termination date
• We will provide a final billing statement within 10 business days
• We may retain your documents as required by professional standards (minimum 10 years)

9.2 Termination by Audit Firms Dubai

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend services immediately without prior notice if:

• You fail to pay fees when due (after 30 days past due date)
• You fail to provide required documents after reasonable requests
• You engage in illegal activities, fraud, or unethical conduct
• Conflicts of interest arise that cannot be resolved
• You breach confidentiality or these Terms
• Circumstances arise that impair our professional independence

9.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• All outstanding fees become immediately due and payable
• We will return original client documents upon request
• Confidentiality obligations continue indefinitely
• We have no obligation to issue audit reports or opinions for incomplete engagements

10. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

10.1 Informal Resolution

Most client concerns can be resolved quickly. If you have a dispute or complaint:

1. Contact your engagement partner or manager immediately at +971 4 250 0251
2. If unresolved, escalate to our Managing Partner at mali@farahatco.com
3. We will investigate and respond within 10 business days

10.2 Mediation

If informal resolution fails, you agree to attempt good-faith mediation before pursuing litigation. Mediation shall be conducted in Dubai by a mutually agreed mediator, with costs shared equally.

10.3 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates, without regard to conflict of law principles.

10.4 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services that cannot be resolved through mediation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dubai Courts.

11. General Provisions

11.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with your signed engagement letter and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Farahat Office & Co. regarding our services. These Terms supersede all prior oral or written agreements.

11.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

11.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

11.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights to affiliated entities or successors.

11.5 Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from causes beyond reasonable control, including acts of God, war, strikes, government actions, pandemics, or natural disasters.

11.6 Notices

All notices under these Terms must be in writing and sent to:

12. Questions About These Terms

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: