Doing business in the UAE is attractive – fast company formation, strong infrastructure and a tax environment that suits many expat entrepreneurs. Yet the reality for many foreign founders is this: great sales pitches are common; consistently good delivery is not.
If reports arrive late, VAT returns are inaccurate or the team that “sold” the service disappears after prepayment, that’s not just frustrating – it creates real regulatory risk. At Exval we built a different model for expat businesses: European-standard accounting, transparent pricing and responsive service you can trust. Below is a practical guide on why many expats switch, what to watch for and how to move to a better provider smoothly.
1. Why many expats decide to switch (and what really goes wrong)
Many business owners stay with underperforming accountants out of inertia, loyalty or uncertainty about the switch. The common problems we see are not just technical – they are systemic:
- Sales handoff problem: a polished salesperson (often from a Western background) sells a premium package, clients prepay, then the real work is handed to a junior team or an outsourced desk that lacks technical skill or work ethic. Once the money is received, client focus diminishes.
- Slow, inattentive service and limited transparency: deadlines are missed, reports are delivered late and customers struggle to get clear answers.
- Outdated or incompatible systems: a provider using unfamiliar software or manual spreadsheets limits client access, delays reconciliations and makes reporting error-prone.
- Lack of proactive advice: the firm did the initial setup but does not keep up with new regulations – for example, corporate tax, transfer pricing, e-invoicing or evolving VAT rules.
- “Package” gaps: essentials such as bank reconciliations, payroll filings, VAT reconciliations might have been omitted from the “package” sold, only revealed when problems emerge.
These failures cost time, money and reputation. They can also expose directors to penalties and force expensive corrections. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s a strong signal that a change is overdue.
2. What to check before renewing a yearly contract
Before committing to another 12 months with the same provider, review these essentials:
Access & control
- Who controls the FTA portal access? Ensure the company retains the primary credentials and can remove third-party submitters.
- Do directors have direct access to accounting software and live dashboards?
Reporting cadence
- Are monthly reconciliations and management reports provided, not just annual statements?
- Can the provider produce ad-hoc reports for directors, investors or banks?
Compliance capability
- Does the firm have hands-on experience with international tax treatment, economic substance issues and complex situations relating to corporate tax and transfer pricing – the topics you, as an expat, will face sooner or later?
- Are they prepared for e-invoicing, digital submissions and record-keeping requirements?
Technology stack
- Is the accounting system cloud-based and UAE-ready (accounting information downloads directly from your local bank, multi-currency functionality, VAT features, e-invoicing)?
- Can your current provider migrate data from the platform it uses?
If the answers are unclear or negative, the risk of surprises rises. A good partner will proactively automate and streamline the accounting and tax calculation process, so you will not depend on them entering everything manually. Also, you should have control and visibility over your books, so you don’t need to push your accountant once in a while and wait when they send you the statements by email. In the UAE everything should be done in seconds – that’s the market standard.
3. Why Exval is different
We built Exval for expat business owners who expect professional and responsive service.
European-led team and practical UAE experience
Exval is founded and run by European professionals. Our team includes seasoned experts who have worked in international finance and big fintech. This means direct access to senior expertise – not a perpetual handoff to juniors.
Transparent pricing and no hidden fees
Clear monthly or annual packages, with an upfront description of what is included (and what is not). No packaged “surprises” once the client has paid.
Modern cloud workflows
Our standard is Zoho Books (cloud-first and UAE-friendly), but we work with other platforms where necessary. Clients always receive direct access to their books and can view dashboards, invoices and bank reconciliations in real time.
Compliance-first approach
We prioritise proactive compliance around VAT, corporate tax, transfer pricing and e-invoicing. We help clients anticipate changes and structure operations to reduce risk.
Smooth, governed transitions
If switching is needed, we do the heavy lifting: we request and reconcile historical data, liaise with the previous provider or reconstruct records from primary evidence when the prior firm is uncooperative.
4. How to switch to Exval – five practical steps
Switching is easier than many imagine when the process is systemised.
Step 1: Sign the engagement and appoint Exval as the service provider
We start with an engagement letter specifying the services, fees and start date. Prepayment for the initial period is standard in the UAE; we explain exactly what is covered.
Step 2: Request and collect records from the outgoing provider
Ask the outgoing accountant for:
- Trial balance, general ledger and detailed nominal ledgers for the past year(s)
- Bank statements and reconciliations
- VAT returns, VAT ledgers and e-invoicing records
- Payroll journals and payroll tax submissions
- Copies of financial statements and audit reports (if any)
- Access to cloud accounting portals and FTA portal credentials (if previously created)
If records are not provided or the outgoing firm is uncooperative, Exval will reconstruct the accounts from primary source documents.
Step 3: Software review and migration
Depending on your situation, you may need to migrate your accounting records from your accountant’s Excel files or in-house software to a UAE-capable and commonly recognised accounting platform like Zoho. If you are an international firm, you may also want to work with Xero or QuickBooks to keep everything in the same group-wide software. Migration includes:
- Chart of accounts mapping
- Customer and supplier balances import
- Historical transaction import or reconstruction
- Bank feed configuration and reconciliation rules
Clients keep full access to the system from day one.
Step 4: Clean-up and reconciliation
We perform a clean-up: reconcile bank accounts, match invoices and payments, correct VAT positions and update payroll records. This step often removes legacy errors and sets a clean baseline.
Step 5: Ongoing reporting and compliance
After onboarding, Exval provides monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns (monthly or quarterly as required) and corporate tax preparation. These standard services are included in our packages and, in our experience, cover the needs of most expat-owned businesses in the UAE. We ensure filings are submitted on time and maintain seven years of compliant records.
Additionally, as part of the client onboarding process, we take the time to understand each business’s specific needs and offer assistance in many other areas, such as financial planning, interim CFO services, payroll, management reports, ad hoc regulatory support and more.
5. What if the previous provider refuses to hand over records?
This happens. Our approach:
- First, request the records in writing and notify the client to assert their legal right.
- If the prior firm is uncooperative, Exval reconstructs books from bank statements, invoices, payment records and contracts.
- We maintain documented evidence of attempts to obtain data – useful for regulatory inquiries.
Reconstruction is more work, but it is an essential part to maintain ongoing compliance and good standing of the client’s business.
6. Timing and costs
- Typical clean migrations take 1-6 weeks, depending on the volume of historic transactions and cooperation from the previous provider.
- Migration fees are quoted up front and depend on complexity. We provide a fixed quote after an initial review.
- Ongoing fees follow transparent monthly or annual packages. See our pricing & packages for details.
7. What you should expect during the first 90 days
- Full visibility in your accounting software (access and dashboards).
- Corrected bank reconciliations and VAT positions.
- Clear monthly management reports and explanations of prior adjustments.
8. Real benefits of switching (business outcomes)
Switching is about more than avoiding pain – it’s about enabling growth:
- Less time chasing numbers, more time running the business.
- Cleaner books that support lending, investment or sale.
- Reduced risk of penalties, fines or costly late corrections.
- Better strategic advice on tax structuring, free-zone benefits and cross-border trade.
9. Final thoughts
Staying with a provider who delivers late, hides costs or fails to advise proactively is a risk. A single missed VAT return or a poorly handled corporate tax election can cost far more than a year’s accounting fee.
If the current relationship leaves the company uncertain, it is worth taking a fresh look. At Exval, we combine European standards, UAE expertise and cloud tools to deliver accounting and tax services that actually help expat businesses thrive.
Ready for a practical, fast review of your current setup? Book a short call and we’ll walk through how Exval can move your company to a cleaner, safer and more transparent accounting arrangement.