Risk assessment and audit plan
A risk-based internal audit plan agreed with management or the audit committee.
Internal Audit Services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Outsourced and Co-Sourced Internal Audit for UAE Businesses
Internal audit services give a UAE business an independent review of its risks, processes and controls, so problems are found and fixed before they cause losses, fraud or audit findings. SGA World provides outsourced and co-sourced internal audit in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: risk-based audit plans, process reviews, internal controls over financial reporting, fraud risk and reports to management and audit committees.
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved auditor
- 500+ clients
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Internal audit services give owners, boards and audit committees an independent view of whether the business is running the way they think it is: whether controls work, risks are managed and money, stock and data are protected. Unlike the annual external audit, which gives an opinion on the financial statements, internal audit looks forward and inside: at processes, people and systems.
SGA World provides internal audit services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a fully outsourced internal audit function or co-sourced with your own team. We work to the IIA's Global Internal Audit Standards (effective 9 January 2025), and focus on the areas that matter in UAE businesses: purchasing, sales, inventory, payroll, ERP controls, VAT and corporate tax compliance, and fraud risk.
- Audit plans built on your real risks
- Risk-based
- Tested in practice, not just on paper
- Controls
- Red flags and fraud risk reviews
- Fraud
- Clear reports for management and audit committees
- Board-ready
At a glance
Internal Audit Services: Key Points
- Purpose: independent assurance that risks are managed and controls work.
- Who needs it: listed companies, banks, insurers and regulated firms have formal expectations; growing SMEs and family groups use it to protect value.
- Standards: we follow the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, effective from 9 January 2025.
- Models: outsourced (we are your internal audit function) or co-sourced (we support your team).
- Outputs: risk-rated findings, agreed actions with owners and dates, and follow-up until closed.
- Link to tax: weak controls lead to VAT and corporate tax errors, so we test those too.
Our services
What Do Our Internal Audit Services Include?
Process audits
Procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, inventory, payroll, treasury and fixed assets.
Internal controls over financial reporting
Design and testing of controls behind the financial statements.
Fraud risk reviews
Fraud risk assessments, red-flag analytics and investigations support.
ERP and IT controls
User access, segregation of duties, change management and data integrity.
Tax compliance reviews
VAT and corporate tax processes tested for errors and exposures.
Policies and SOPs
Writing or updating procedures, delegation of authority and approval matrices.
Audit committee support
Reports, dashboards and attendance at audit committee meetings.
Follow-up
Tracking actions until they are closed and re-testing fixes.
The basics
What Is Internal Audit and How Is It Different From External Audit?
Internal audit is an independent, objective review that helps an organisation achieve its objectives by evaluating and improving risk management, control and governance. It reports to the board or audit committee, covers any part of the business and recommends improvements.
External audit is a statutory audit of the annual financial statements, giving an opinion on whether they are true and fair under IFRS. It is required by law or by your licensing authority.
The two work together: a strong internal audit function finds and fixes control weaknesses during the year, which makes the external audit faster and cleaner. See our external audit services.
Compare
Internal Audit vs External Audit: What Are the Differences?
| Point | Internal audit | External audit |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Improve risk management, controls and governance | Opinion on the financial statements |
| Required by law? | For some sectors and listed companies; voluntary for most private companies | Yes for most companies, by law or licensing authority |
| Reports to | Board or audit committee | Shareholders |
| Scope | Any process, risk or system | Financial statements for the year |
| Timing | Throughout the year | After the year end |
| Standards | IIA Global Internal Audit Standards | International Standards on Auditing (ISA) |
Who needs it
Which UAE Businesses Need Internal Audit?
- Listed public joint stock companies
- SCA governance rules require boards to maintain effective internal control and risk management systems, overseen by an audit committee.
- Banks, finance companies and insurers
- Central Bank and insurance regulations expect an independent internal audit function.
- DIFC and ADGM regulated firms
- DFSA and FSRA rules expect effective systems and controls, often tested by internal audit.
- Family groups and holding companies
- Several companies, shared resources and related-party transactions need independent oversight.
- Fast-growing SMEs
- Controls rarely keep up with growth; internal audit finds the gaps early.
- Companies preparing for investment, sale or IPO
- Investors and acquirers look for documented, working controls.
How we work
How Does Our Internal Audit Process Work?
Step01
Understand and assess risk
Map the business, interview management and rate risks by impact and likelihood.
Step02
Agree the audit plan
A risk-based annual or rolling plan approved by management or the audit committee.
Step03
Fieldwork
Walk-throughs, control testing, data analytics and sample checks.
Step04
Report
Risk-rated findings, root causes and practical recommendations.
Step05
Agree actions
Owners and deadlines agreed with management for every finding.
Step06
Follow up
Track and re-test actions, and report progress to the board.
Why SGA World
Why Choose SGA World for Internal Audit Services?
Auditors who know UAE tax and controls
We test controls with the same eye an external auditor or the FTA will use.
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.
Audit areas
Which Processes Do We Audit Most Often?
Procure-to-pay
- Supplier set-up and changes to bank details
- Approval limits and three-way matching
- Duplicate and split payments
Order-to-cash
- Pricing, discounts and credit limits
- Revenue cut-off and credit notes
- Collection and bad debt write-offs
Inventory and warehousing
- Stock counts and shrinkage
- Goods received and dispatched controls
- Slow-moving and obsolete stock
Payroll and HR
- Joiners, leavers and ghost employees
- WPS, gratuity and leave calculations
- Allowances and overtime approvals
ERP and IT controls
- User access and segregation of duties
- Changes to master data
- Back-ups and data security
VAT and corporate tax
- Tax codes and invoice compliance
- Input VAT recovery and blocked items
- Corporate tax add-backs and related parties
Worked example
Example: Finding the Cause of Stock Losses at a Distributor
A Dubai FMCG distributor saw its year-end stock count fall short of the system by AED 1.2 million for the second year running.
Our internal audit found:
- goods received were entered from supplier invoices, not physical receipts, so short deliveries were paid in full;
- warehouse staff could also adjust stock in the ERP, with no review;
- returns from customers were credited before the goods came back.
The company introduced goods-received checks, removed stock-adjustment rights from the warehouse team and linked credit notes to returned goods. Shrinkage fell sharply at the next count, and the external audit closed with no inventory findings.
Models
Should You Outsource or Co-Source Internal Audit?
- Outsourced internal audit: SGA World acts as your internal audit function, planning, performing and reporting the work. It suits companies without an internal audit team, and avoids the cost of full-time specialists.
- Co-sourced internal audit: your in-house team keeps ownership, and we add specialist skills (IT, tax, fraud) or extra capacity for peaks.
- In-house only: works for large organisations, but specialist areas often still need outside support.
Whatever the model, the internal audit function should be independent of the processes it audits and report directly to the board or audit committee.
What to prepare
What Do We Need to Start an Internal Audit?
Organisation
Organisation chart, delegation of authority and key policies.
Processes
Existing procedures, process maps or a walk-through with process owners.
Systems
ERP access (read-only), user lists and roles.
Data
Transaction reports for purchases, sales, inventory and payroll.
Previous findings
Past internal and external audit reports and management letters.
Governance
Board or audit committee terms of reference and meeting calendar.
Fees and timing
How Much Do Internal Audit Services Cost in Dubai?
Internal audit is usually priced by the number of audit days in the plan. The main factors are:
- the size and complexity of the business and number of entities;
- the number of processes in the annual plan;
- the use of data analytics and IT specialists;
- whether the arrangement is outsourced or co-sourced;
- reporting needs, such as audit committee attendance.
A single process review for an SME can take one to two weeks; a full annual plan is spread across the year. We agree a fixed fee per review or an annual retainer.
Avoid problems
Common Internal Control Weaknesses We Find
One person can create and pay a supplier
Fraud risk
No review of changes to supplier bank details
Payment diversion
Stock adjustments without approval
Hidden losses
Shared ERP logins
No accountability
Approval limits not enforced in the system
Unauthorised spending
Findings agreed but never followed up
The same issues every year
Industries
Which Industries Do We Serve?
Real estate and construction
Developers, contractors, brokers and landlords.
Retail and e-commerce
Shops, brands and online sellers.
Oil and gas
Service companies, suppliers and traders.
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants and cafés.
Healthcare and clinics
Clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.
Free zone companies
Every UAE free zone, one team.
Tech start-ups and fintech
SaaS, start-ups and fintechs.
Internal audit desk
Find Control Gaps Before They Become Losses
Tell us about your business, its size and your main concerns. We will propose a risk-based internal audit plan and a fixed fee.
We handle
- Risk assessment and audit plan
- Process and controls audits
- Fraud risk reviews
- ERP and tax compliance testing
- Audit committee reporting
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.
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 14 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
Internal Audit Services – FAQs
Short answers to the questions UAE businesses ask us most. Still unsure?
Talk to our team01.What are internal audit services?
An independent review of a business's risks, processes and controls, with practical recommendations, reported to management, the board or the audit committee.
02.Is internal audit mandatory in the UAE?
Not for most private companies. Listed companies, banks, insurers and regulated firms have formal internal control and audit expectations from their regulators.
03.What is the difference between internal and external audit?
Internal audit improves risk management and controls throughout the year. External audit gives an opinion on the annual financial statements.
04.Can a small company benefit from internal audit?
Yes. A focused review of purchasing, payroll and inventory often finds control gaps and losses that cost far more than the audit.
05.What is outsourced internal audit?
An arrangement where an external firm acts as the company's internal audit function, planning, performing and reporting the audits.
06.What is co-sourced internal audit?
An arrangement where the company keeps its own internal audit team and an external firm adds specialist skills or extra capacity.
07.Which standards does internal audit follow?
The IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, which became effective on 9 January 2025.
08.How often should internal audits be done?
Most organisations follow an annual, risk-based plan, auditing high-risk areas every year and others on a rotating cycle.
09.Who should internal audit report to?
To the board or audit committee, to keep it independent of the management it reviews.
10.Can internal audit help with VAT and corporate tax?
Yes. We test the processes behind VAT returns and corporate tax computations, where control weaknesses often lead to errors.
11.Does internal audit detect fraud?
It assesses fraud risk and tests the controls that prevent and detect fraud. Where fraud is suspected, a targeted investigation may follow.
12.How long does an internal audit take?
A single process review for an SME typically takes one to two weeks, depending on size and data availability.
13.Do you provide internal audit in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, from our Abu Dhabi branch in Al Bateen and our Dubai office in Business Bay.
14.What do we receive at the end of an internal audit?
A report with risk-rated findings, root causes, recommendations, agreed actions with owners and dates, and follow-up until closed.
References:The Institute of Internal Auditors: Global Internal Audit Standards · Securities and Commodities Authority · Central Bank of the UAE — reviewed 14 October 2026
