Advisers who are also auditors
Our advice is tested against how auditors, banks and the FTA will look at the numbers.
ERP Advisory Services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Selection, Implementation Support and E-Invoicing Readiness
ERP advisory helps a business choose and implement the right ERP system without overspending or disrupting its finance function. SGA World helps UAE companies define requirements, compare systems such as ERPNext, Odoo, Zoho, SAP Business One and Microsoft Dynamics, oversee implementation, set up VAT and corporate tax correctly, migrate data and prepare for UAE e-invoicing.
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved auditor
- 500+ clients
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi
ERP advisory at a glance
- Selection
- Requirements and vendor comparison
- Implementation
- Finance design and oversight
- Tax
- VAT, corporate tax, e-invoicing
- Data
- Migration and reconciliation
- Controls
- Roles, approvals and audit trail
An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system brings accounting, sales, purchasing, inventory, HR and reporting into one platform. Chosen and implemented well, it gives you real-time numbers and tight controls. Chosen badly, it becomes an expensive project that the finance team works around.
SGA World provides ERP advisory for UAE businesses: we help you choose the right system, design the finance and tax set-up, oversee the implementer and prepare for e-invoicing. As auditors, we make sure the system produces figures your VAT return, corporate tax return and auditor can rely on.
- Advice based on your requirements
- Needs first
- Designed by accountants and auditors
- Finance-led
- VAT, corporate tax and e-invoicing built in
- Tax-ready
- Roles, approvals and audit trail
- Controlled
At a glance
ERP Advisory: Key Points
- Start with requirements: processes, reports and controls come first; software second.
- Compare properly: cost of licences, implementation, support and customisation over 5 years, not just year one.
- Finance design: chart of accounts, cost centres and tax codes should be designed by accountants.
- Tax: VAT, corporate tax and transfer pricing needs must be built into the set-up.
- E-invoicing: your ERP must be able to connect to an Accredited Service Provider under the UAE e-invoicing rules.
- Data: migrated balances must reconcile to the old system before go-live.
What we do
What Does ERP Advisory Include?
Our ERP advisory covers the decisions and checks that implementers often leave to the client:
- Readiness review: current processes, pain points and what the business really needs.
- Requirements: a clear list of finance, inventory, sales, HR and reporting needs.
- Selection: a shortlist and side-by-side comparison of suitable systems and implementers.
- Finance and tax design: chart of accounts, cost centres, VAT codes, corporate tax mapping and approval workflows.
- Implementation oversight: checking configuration, testing and timelines on your behalf.
- Data migration: reconciling opening balances, customers, suppliers and stock.
- Post go-live review: confirming the first VAT return, month-end close and reports are right.
Comparing systems
Which ERP Systems Do UAE Businesses Usually Consider?
| System | Typically suits | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| ERPNext | SMEs and mid-size firms wanting an open-source, flexible system | Implementer quality and customisation discipline |
| Odoo | SMEs wanting many modular apps | Module costs and version upgrades |
| Zoho (Books and apps) | Small and medium businesses | Fit for manufacturing and complex inventory |
| SAP Business One | Growing mid-size companies | Total cost of licences and partners |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central | Mid-size companies using Microsoft tools | Partner costs and add-ons |
| Oracle NetSuite | Multi-entity and international groups | Subscription cost and implementation scope |
SGA World is an official Zoho partner and says so whenever Zoho is on a shortlist; we do not sell licences for the other systems. The right choice depends on your processes, budget and growth plans.
How we work
How Does Our ERP Advisory Process Work?
Step01
Diagnose
Map current processes, systems, reports and controls.
Step02
Define
Agree requirements and a realistic budget and timeline.
Step03
Select
Shortlist systems and implementers, run demos and compare costs.
Step04
Design and oversee
Design the finance and tax set-up and review the implementer's work.
Step05
Go live and review
Reconcile migrated data and check the first close and VAT return.
Why SGA World
Why Choose SGA World for ERP Advisory Services?
Ministry-approved audit firm
SGA World is a Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved audit firm, so our reports are accepted where it matters.
Audit and tax in one team
Auditors, VAT, corporate tax and transfer pricing specialists work together, so nothing falls between advisers.
Qualified chartered accountants
A team of chartered accountants qualified in India and the UK, focused on UAE rules.
500+ clients
Mainland and free zone companies, from start-ups and SMEs to regional groups.
Listed with major UAE banks
Our audit work is recognised by major UAE banks for facilities and account reviews.
E-invoicing
How Does UAE E-Invoicing Affect Your ERP Choice?
Under the UAE e-invoicing rules, businesses must exchange structured electronic invoices through Accredited Service Providers (ASPs), with a phased roll-out starting with larger businesses. Your ERP must be able to produce invoices in the required data format and connect to your chosen ASP.
When selecting or upgrading an ERP, check:
- whether the vendor or implementer has a tested integration with UAE ASPs;
- whether invoice data such as TRNs, tax treatments and item codes is captured correctly;
- how credit notes, self-billing and corrections are handled.
Read our UAE e-invoicing guide for the deadlines and requirements, our ERPNext e-invoicing setup guide if you run ERPNext, or our Zoho Books e-invoicing setup guide if you run Zoho Books.
Worked example
Example: A Distributor Choosing Its First ERP
A UAE distributor with AED 60 million revenue runs separate systems for sales, stock and accounting, and spends days reconciling them each month.
1. We map its order-to-cash and procure-to-pay processes and list must-have requirements. 2. We shortlist three systems that fit its inventory and multi-warehouse needs. 3. Scripted demos test real scenarios, such as landed costs and VAT on imports. 4. We compare five-year costs: licences, implementation, customisation and support. 5. During implementation, we review the chart of accounts, tax codes and migration of balances. 6. After go-live, we check the first month-end close and VAT return.
The result is a system the finance team trusts, ready for e-invoicing.
What to prepare
What Do We Need to Start ERP Advisory?
Current systems
List of software used and how data moves between them.
Processes
How sales, purchasing, inventory and payroll work today.
Reports
Management, VAT and board reports you rely on.
Volumes
Number of users, transactions, items and entities.
Budget and timing
Expected budget and preferred go-live date.
Pain points
What is not working and why the project is needed.
Fees and timing
How Much Does ERP Advisory Cost?
Fees depend on the size of the business, the number of entities and processes, whether you need selection only or implementation oversight, and the data migration effort. ERP licence and implementer fees are separate. We propose a fixed fee per phase.
Related services
What Else Do We Help With Around an ERP Project?
Zoho Books
Set-up and support for Zoho Books.
Internal audit
Controls review before and after go-live.
VAT
Testing the first VAT return from the new system.
Corporate tax
Mapping ledgers for the corporate tax computation.
Virtual CFO
Finance leadership through the project.
ERPNext guide
When ERPNext makes sense for UAE businesses.
ERP desk
Choose and Implement Your ERP With Confidence
Tell us about your business, current systems and what is not working. We will propose a scoped advisory plan.
We handle
- Requirements and selection
- Finance and tax design
- Implementation oversight
- Data migration checks
- E-invoicing readiness
Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Talk to Our Team
Our offices in Business Bay, Dubai and Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi support clients across the UAE.
Dubai
Office 1923, The Exchange Tower, Business Bay, Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Khalidiya Towers M-B6, W10, Al Bateen, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi
Talk to an auditor
Tell us your company type, jurisdiction and deadline. We will confirm the scope, timeline and fee.
- WhatsApp us+971 50 627 3556
- Call us+971 4 570 1795
- Email us[email protected]
- Book an appointmentChoose a time that suits you
Prefer a form? Send us a detailed enquiry.
Insights
Related guides
Who prepared this page
Written and reviewed by SGA World's audit and tax team
This guide is prepared by chartered accountants at SGA World Auditing Accounting L.L.C S.P.C in Business Bay, Dubai, a Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved audit firm, and checked against Federal Tax Authority legislation and guidance. It is reviewed whenever the rules change.
- Last reviewed 12 October 2026
- Chartered accountants from India and the UK
- FTA representation through Saif Chartered Accountants
Have a question about your company?
Tell us your activity, jurisdiction and deadline. A chartered accountant will reply.
Ask an expertFrequently asked questions
ERP Advisory – FAQs
Short answers to the questions UAE businesses ask us most. Still unsure?
Talk to our team01.What is ERP advisory?
Support to choose, design and oversee an ERP implementation, so the system fits your processes and produces reliable financial and tax figures.
02.Are you independent of ERP vendors?
Our advice is based on your requirements. SGA World is an official Zoho partner and tells you so whenever Zoho is an option; we do not sell licences for the other systems we compare.
03.Which ERP is best for a UAE SME?
It depends on your processes, budget and growth plans. ERPNext, Odoo, Zoho, SAP Business One and Microsoft Dynamics are all used in the UAE; we compare them against your requirements.
04.Does my ERP need to support UAE e-invoicing?
Yes. Businesses in scope must exchange e-invoices through Accredited Service Providers, so your ERP must produce the required data and connect to an ASP.
05.Can you help after the ERP has gone live?
Yes. We review controls, reconcile migrated data and check the first VAT return and month-end close from the new system.
06.How long does ERP selection take?
For a mid-size company, typically four to eight weeks from requirements to recommendation.
07.What does ERP implementation oversight include?
Reviewing design decisions, configuration, testing, data migration and go-live readiness on your behalf.
08.Should we customise the ERP heavily?
Usually not. Heavy customisation increases cost and makes upgrades harder; adapting processes is often better.
09.Can you help with data migration?
Yes. We define what to migrate, reconcile balances and confirm the opening trial balance.
10.What is an Accredited Service Provider (ASP)?
A provider accredited under the UAE e-invoicing framework to exchange e-invoices between businesses and report data to the FTA.
11.Do you implement ERPNext or Zoho?
We provide advisory and finance design for ERP projects, and we are an official Zoho partner for Zoho Books. See our ERPNext guide for that system.
References:UAE e-invoicing (Ministry of Finance) · Federal Tax Authority — reviewed 14 October 2026
