UAE reforms create opportunities amid rapid change

The UAE’s accounting and advisory market continues to evolve at remarkable speed as corporate tax, transfer pricing, enhanced regulation and upcoming e-invoicing reforms reshape the business landscape.

Despite regional geopolitical uncertainty, the country remains a major investment and commercial hub, creating growing demand for specialised advisory, tax and compliance services.

In the latest International Accounting Bulletin (IAB) Country Report, members Faiyaaz Rajkotwala, from MGI Salim Rajkotwala Chartered Accountants LLC, and Vinayak Aatreya, from M&M Al Menhali Auditing, joined others to share their perspectives on the developments shaping the UAE’s business environment.

Transfer pricing becomes a boardroom governance issue

One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of corporate tax and transfer pricing requirements, which are driving businesses to adopt more formal documentation and governance practices. Faiyaaz shares:

“Historically, many UAE businesses operated with limited formal documentation around related-party pricing, particularly where transactions were domestic or within family-owned groups.

“That has changed significantly. As FTA-registered tax agents, we are seeing that transfer pricing is no longer viewed as a purely multinational issue. Mid-market groups, family businesses and free zone entities are now paying much closer attention to related-party transactions, shareholder funding, management charges and intercompany agreements.

"Transfer pricing has moved from being a technical tax concept to a boardroom governance issue for UAE businesses, and that has created room for more specialised advisory firms and specialist teams within established firms.”

The report notes that demand is increasingly shifting toward specialist tax, transfer pricing and compliance expertise as businesses adapt to the new regulatory environment.

Regulated and tech-driven market

The IAB report also highlights how the UAE is strengthening professional oversight while preparing businesses for major reforms such as e-invoicing. Firms are increasingly being asked to support clients with compliance, system readiness and risk management.

Resilience despite regional uncertainty

While the wider Middle East conflict has made some businesses more cautious, the UAE market has remained resilient, with many companies delaying rather than cancelling investment decisions. Vinayak comments:

“Key decisions relating to CAPEX and investments have been postponed, though not cancelled.

“The real estate, hotel, and restaurant sectors have experienced significant impact. At the same time, we have seen an increase in inquiries related to restructuring, and our merger and acquisition team has received substantial interest in potential buy‑side and sell‑side opportunities. As of now, there is no specific support from banks; however, the government is considering and introducing certain relief measures should the conflict persist.”

Looking ahead

The report concludes that the UAE remains well positioned as a regional headquarters, investment and trade hub. Corporate tax, e-invoicing, AML compliance and digital regulation are expected to remain major areas of focus, creating ongoing opportunities for firms that can combine technical expertise with practical business advice.

Overall, the UAE’s reform agenda is reshaping the accounting profession, making it more specialised, technology-driven and strategically important to businesses navigating a rapidly changing environment.

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