Emirates Association for Accountants & Auditors (EAAA)

The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) has no direct responsibility for the operation of the quality assurance (QA) review system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Responsibility for QA reviews rests primarily with the Ministry of Economy and sector-specific regulators, including the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Securities and Commodities Authority, and Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority.

EAAA supports implementation of Statement of Membership Obligations 1 through best-endeavors activities, including monitoring developments in QA review requirements, engaging with regulators, disseminating updates on International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board pronouncements, and providing continuing professional development and technical training on audit quality, quality management, International Standard on Quality Management 1, International Standard on Quality Management 2, and ISA 220 (Revised).

Recent jurisdiction-level developments indicate progress toward greater regulatory coordination. In 2026, the Ministry of Economy, Securities and Commodities Authority, and Dubai Financial Services Authority launched joint quality management audit inspections to assess audit firms’ implementation of ISQM 1 across the UAE. This represents a positive step toward more consistent oversight of audit quality across regulatory mandates.

EAAA continues to support members through training and professional development activities, including courses on ISA 220 and quality management for audits of financial statements. However, the QA review system is not yet fully unified across all mandatory audits, and the latest quality management standards have not been formally adopted and made effective across all mandatory audits at the federal level.

EAAA is encouraged to continue engaging with the Ministry of Economy and other relevant regulators to support further alignment of the jurisdiction-level QA framework with SMO 1 requirements, including formal adoption and implementation of ISQM 1, ISQM 2, and ISA 220 (Revised).

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) shares responsibility for initial and continuing professional development requirements for auditors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the Ministry of Economy.

Ministerial Resolution No. 111-2 of 2022 approved the Fellowship Certificate and Continuing Professional Education Program for auditors registered with the Ministry. The Ministry requires licensed auditors to complete 30 hours of continuing professional development annually, including 12 hours delivered through EAAA in International Financial Reporting Standards, International Standards on Auditing, and UAE law and tax.

EAAA supports implementation of SMO 2 through the UAE Fellowship Programme, which was developed by the Ministry, EAAA, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) as a mandatory requirement for accredited auditors. The program includes certificates in international financial reporting, international auditing, and UAE tax and regulation.

EAAA also provides continuing professional development, technical training, and member support to strengthen professional competence and support implementation of new and revised standards. EAAA reports that its professional development activities are regularly updated to reflect changes in international standards and regulatory requirements.

However, education requirements at the jurisdiction level apply primarily to licensed auditors and do not extend to all professional accountants. EAAA should continue working with the Ministry and other stakeholders to assess alignment of professional education pathways with the latest International Education Standards, including requirements for engagement partners and non-auditor professional accountants, and to further strengthen jurisdiction-level alignment with SMO 2 requirements.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) has no direct responsibility for adopting auditing and assurance standards in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Ministry of Economy is responsible for approving and developing professional standards for auditors and accounting firms operating outside the financial free zones.

While International Standards on Auditing (ISA) are required in the jurisdiction, a secondary resolution specifically adopting International Standard on Quality Management 1, International Standard on Quality Management 2, and ISA 220 (Revised) remains pending approval at the federal level. EAAA continues to engage with relevant regulators and stakeholders to support alignment with the latest International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board pronouncements and SMO 3 requirements.

In the meantime, EAAA focuses on supporting implementation of the standards and providing members with access to the most recently translated standards and implementation materials. ISA, including ISQM 1, ISQM 2, and ISA 220 (Revised), are incorporated into EAAA’s educational programming and continuing professional development activities, which are updated regularly to reflect revisions to international standards and emerging regulatory developments.

EAAA also provides online technical resources, webcast recordings, newsletters, and technical articles on audit and assurance topics through its member communications and quarterly publications. In addition, EAAA encourages education providers and training partners to incorporate ISA as issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board into professional education programs and training materials.

EAAA reports that it has reviewed the International Standard on Auditing (ISA) for Audits of Financial Statements of Less Complex Entities issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to assess its applicability within the UAE environment. ISA for Less Complex Entities has since been adopted in the jurisdiction.

EAAA is encouraged to continue engaging with the Ministry of Economy and other relevant regulators to support formal adoption and implementation of the latest International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board pronouncements across all mandatory audits, including ISQM 1, ISQM 2, and ISA 220 (Revised), and to continue supporting members with implementation activities and technical guidance.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is adopted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) requires its members and students to comply with its Code of Ethics and Conduct, which is a full adoption of the IESBA Code.

EAAA supports implementation of SMO 4 through its examination scheme, syllabus, continuing professional development program, and ongoing technical training. Its awareness activities include online and in-person training on ethics and governance, member resources and tools, guidance on responding to non-compliance with laws and regulations, newsletters, and technical articles. EAAA also shares IESBA exposure drafts with members to support participation in the international standard-setting process.

Current Status: Sustain

The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) has no direct responsibility for adopting public sector accounting standards in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the public sector accounting framework under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2019 on Public Finance Management, which requires the government to apply accrual-basis accounting.

EAAA supports implementation of Statement of Membership Obligations 5 through best-endeavors activities, including collaboration with regional and international professional organizations, continuing professional development, and awareness activities on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). EAAA has also partnered with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to offer IPSAS-related certification pathways to members.

EAAA supports members in the public sector by incorporating IPSAS into its training activities, disseminating available Arabic translations, and encouraging participation in International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board consultations. The IFAC translations database indicates that the Arabic translation of the 2024 Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements was published in May 2026.

EAAA is encouraged to continue monitoring IPSASB pronouncements, supporting members with implementation resources, and engaging with the Ministry of Finance and regional partners on public sector accounting developments.

Current Status: Sustain

The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) shares responsibility for investigation and discipline (I&D) with the Ministry of Economy and other regulators in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Ministry is responsible for monitoring and inspecting professionals and accounting firms, receiving complaints and reports, and referring violations to the Professional Compliance Committee under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2023. The Committee has become operational and reported disciplinary decisions in 2025, including warnings, fines, and suspensions involving licensed auditors and accounting firms.

EAAA has strengthened its own I&D arrangements for members. It has established Investigation and Discipline Regulations, a complaints form, sanctions guidance, complaints procedures, and appeals regulations, which are publicly available through its governance resources. These procedures support the handling of complaints against members, disciplinary decision-making, sanctions, and appeals.

EAAA also supports implementation of SMO 6 through member communications and professional development activities on ethics, professional conduct, and the consequences of non-compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements. It continues to keep members informed of the I&D arrangements operated by the Ministry, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority, and the Securities and Commodities Authority.

While EAAA has made significant progress in operationalizing its own I&D framework, the jurisdiction-level system remains shared across multiple authorities and does not yet fully cover all professional accountants. EAAA is encouraged to continue strengthening its I&D procedures, monitoring outcomes, publishing relevant guidance and decisions where appropriate, and engaging with regulators to support greater consistency and alignment with SMO 6 requirements.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (EAAA) has no direct responsibility for adopting IFRS Accounting Standards in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). IFRS Accounting Standards are required for listed companies and are required or permitted for other entities in the jurisdiction, and the IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) Accounting Standard is permitted for eligible entities.

EAAA supports implementation of Statement of Membership Obligations 7 by promoting awareness and understanding of IFRS Accounting Standards and the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard. Its activities include continuing professional development, technical training, member resources, newsletters, technical articles, and dissemination of available Arabic translations and implementation materials.

EAAA also supports financial reporting competence through its own Diploma in IFRS and through its strategic partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, including IFRS-related certification pathways and UAE Fellowship Programme learning.

EAAA encourages universities and education providers to incorporate IFRS-related materials into accounting curricula and seeks member input on International Accounting Standards Board consultations and exposure drafts. EAAA has also begun incorporating sustainability-related topics into its professional development programming, which is relevant to the expanded SMO 7 scope covering International Sustainability Standards Board standards.

Current Status: Sustain