The Professional Compliance Committee for the Accounting and Auditing Profession considers 23 referrals for professional violations within a year

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Dubai, 5 November / WAM / The Professional Compliance Committee for the Accounting and Auditing Profession announced the results of its work from the start of its work in July 2024 until August 2025, which included holding 24 meetings during which it considered 23 referrals for professional violations, issuing 20 disciplinary decisions that varied between warnings, fines, and suspensions for a number of accounting offices and certified public accountants licensed by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and imposing financial fines worth 2.5 million. dirhams, and 7 cases were suspended from practicing the profession.

These results come within the framework of the committee’s efforts to strengthen oversight and professional governance in the accounting sector in the country and develop it in accordance with international best practices, which contributes to consolidating transparency and protecting the interests of investors and customers, and confirms the country’s commitment to developing a reliable and competitive business environment.

The Professional Compliance Committee for the Accounting and Auditing Profession was formed pursuant to a decision issued by His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Tourism, and in accordance with Federal Decree Law No. (41) of 2023 regulating the accounting and auditing profession. The committee is chaired by Abdullah Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of the Auditors Department at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and its membership includes representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Dubai Center for Economic Security. It is specialized in examining professional violations and taking disciplinary sanctions against their perpetrators, including: It includes warnings, fines, suspensions, and even revocation of the license. These efforts represent an extension of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s plans aimed at raising the efficiency of the profession, developing its organizational structure, and ensuring its compatibility with international standards, thus enhancing the UAE’s position as a leading economic and financial center regionally and globally.

The committee indicated an increasing growth in the number of registered public accountants in the country until the end of August 2025, reaching 1,103 certified public accountants, compared to 871 in 2024, while the number of accounting offices increased to 396 offices, which reflects the expanding market size and increased demand for auditing and accounting services.

His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, stressed that the UAE has paid great attention to developing an integrated system for the accounting and auditing profession in line with best practices. His Excellency pointed out that the Professional Compliance Committee represents one of the effective oversight tools established by Federal Decree Law No. (41) of 2023 regarding regulating the accounting and auditing profession, as the positive results of the committee are a new step to confirm the state’s commitment to applying governance and integrity standards for this profession. The profession contributes to providing an environment conducive to growth and enhances the competitiveness of the national economy.

The committee monitored a group of professional violations, most notably issuing reports without supporting documents, conflicts of interest, poor documentation, signing statements that do not conform to standards, failure to evaluate companies’ ability to continue, failure to disclose fundamental issues, and falsifying information. These results reflect the ministry’s response to the reports and complaints it received, as they were considered in accordance with legal controls, and disciplinary decisions were taken against violators in a systematic and transparent manner.

The committee noted the importance of profession practitioners adhering to approved standards when formulating a professional opinion, stressing the necessity of fully documenting the audit stages so that they are available for examination and verification by regulatory authorities.

Abdullah Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of the Auditors Department at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, explained that maintaining integrity and transparency in carrying out tasks, avoiding the illusion that the chartered accountant is carrying out tasks that he has not actually carried out, in addition to adhering to relevant economic legislation as part of institutional governance within offices, and not accepting or continuing work tasks with clients who violate the applicable rules, are standards that must be adhered to, warning of the danger of undertaking any action that would change the truth or give an incorrect image to the financial statements with the aim of harming the financial statements. harming others or achieving illegal benefits at the expense of the rights of others.

He stressed that the committee continues to work to improve monitoring tools and develop the quality of professional practice in the next stage, noting the importance of the societal role in reporting harmful practices through complaints and reporting channels available to the public, as it is an essential partner in enhancing transparency and protecting the business environment.