Professional Marine Accounting Services in Dubai, UAE

Are you looking for reliable marine accounting services in Dubai? As one of the leading maritime accounting firms in the UAE, Oncount delivers structured, compliant, and scalable marine accounting services tailored specifically for Dubai’s thriving maritime sector. Our professional chartered accountants ensure your financial records remain accurate and up-to-date, helping you streamline operations while maintaining full compliance with UAE maritime regulations and international accounting standards.

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Understanding the Difference Between Marine Accounting and Marine Auditing Services in Dubai

While often confused, marine accounting and marine auditing services in Dubai serve distinct yet complementary purposes:

Marine accounting involves the accurate, chronological recording of maritime transactions, maintaining updated books of accounts, and organizing financial statements specific to shipping operations.
Marine auditing encompasses the interpretation of those records, preparation of compliance reports, VAT compliance verification, and strategic advisory services for marine or shipping companies through comprehensive auditing services for marine companies.

Federal Tax Authority (FTA) guidance stipulates that all UAE-registered marine companies must retain original accounting records for at least five years. Professional accounting and bookkeeping services LLC providers ensure this foundation is reliably maintained; specialized auditing for marine companies uses these records to generate audit reports, tax filings, and comprehensive reports to the management. These services are essential for audit preparedness, financial transparency, and strategic growth planning in both mainland and free zone maritime companies in Dubai.

Comprehensive Marine Accounting Solutions

Oncount’s marine accounting solutions are designed to ensure full compliance with UAE laws and regulations while supporting operational efficiency. Our CDA accounting and bookkeeping services firm provides specialized accounting solutions mapped to the requirements of:

UAE Commercial Company Law (Federal Law No. 32 of 2021)
UAE VAT Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017)
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) with special accounting treatments for maritime operations
Maritime laws including shipping safety and environmental protection regulations

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Core Maritime Accounting Services

Our professional marine accounting services in Dubai are structured to ensure full compliance with UAE maritime regulations, supporting both operational accuracy and financial transparency across the marine sector:

Chart of Accounts Setup with IFRS-compliant maritime-specific account classifications
VAT Registration and Filing with periodic return filing and transaction matching through FTA portal integration
Corporate Tax Computation based on UAE corporate tax rules for maritime operations
Monthly Financial Statements including profit and loss accounts and cash flow statements
Bank Reconciliation and transaction management for multiple vessel operations

Maritime Compliance and Environmental Standards

These consultancy services help marine businesses maintain regulatory alignment while ensuring compliance with both local and international environmental standards, protecting against operational risks and compliance violations:

CDA Registration with proper accounting system setup via FTA-linked systems
Ship Registration support for designated vessel types across UAE maritime authorities
Transaction Review for red flags and suspicious transaction reporting in line with AML regulations
Environmental and Sustainability Reporting aligned with international environmental guidelines

Marine Accounting Reconstruction

Our marine accounting company in Dubai offers services designed to recover historical compliance, restore reporting accuracy, and prepare maritime businesses for regulatory audits:

Reconstruction of missing or delayed accounting records for vessel operations
Support for late VAT registration and voluntary disclosures
Documentation compilation for FTA audit queries and maritime authority reviews
Creating and maintaining books of accounts for previous financial periods

Business Setup and Corporate Support Services

In addition to marine accounting, Oncount supports the full corporate lifecycle in the UAE maritime sector, from company formation to regulatory upkeep, making us one of the best accounting and auditing firms in the region.

Company Formation & Banking

Business registration in free zone jurisdictions (DMCC, JAFZA) and Dubai mainland (DED)
Assistance with UAE corporate bank account setup, KYC preparation, and compliance documentation for marine companies

License & Regulatory Maintenance

Trade license renewal reminders and coordination for maritime operations
VAT registration assistance for shipping transaction validation
Ongoing support with environmental compliance declarations and sustainability reporting to meet environmental standards

Legal Marine Accounting Requirements in Dubai: Why Accurate Marine Accounting is Crucial for Maritime Businesses

All marine companies in Dubai must maintain compliant accounting records, regardless of size or legal structure. As per the UAE Commercial Company Law (Federal Law No. 32 of 2021), financial records must reflect a true and fair view of maritime operations and profitability. The marine sector plays a vital role in the UAE economy, making accurate financial services and good auditing practices essential for sustainable growth. Professional accounting services play a major role in supporting maritime businesses through structured marine accounting, VAT filing, and financial statement preparation to ensure companies meet these legal obligations consistently and accurately.

Applicable Laws & Resolutions

Dubai marine accounting must comply with federal laws, administrative penalties, and regulatory body rules on financial reporting and recordkeeping:

UAE Commercial Company Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021)
Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017 (VAT Executive Regulation)
FTA recordkeeping and audit trail guidelines
International Maritime Organization (IMO) financial compliance standards

Risk & Penalty Mitigation

Oncount helps reduce fines through timely filings, compliance checks, and accurate financial reporting for marine operations, supported by our experienced auditors and comprehensive auditing process:

Failure to maintain proper accounting records may trigger fines of AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 under FTA penalties
Misclassification under free zone exemptions may invalidate tax benefits for maritime companies
Our expert auditing services include audit readiness checklists, record backup protocols, and deadline monitoring to ensure penalty avoidance

Industry-Specific Marine Accounting Services

Our marine accounting services are tailored to the operational and regulatory realities of each maritime sector, with deep insight into specific accounting requirements and compliance demands:

Maritime Industry Expertise

Shipping Companies: Vessel depreciation, charter revenue recognition, and international voyage accounting with special accounting treatments
Logistics/Trading: Port operation costs, cargo handling fees, and multi-currency transaction management
Marine Services: Dry dock accounting, vessel maintenance costs, and equipment lease accounting
Offshore Operations: Platform accounting, environmental compliance costs, and adherence to local and international regulations
Ship Management: Crew salary accounting, insurance premium allocation, and vessel operational expense tracking

Client Integration & Customization

Embedded marine accounting support (on-site or remote)
Custom dashboards showing vessel profitability, cash flow analysis, and operational KPIs
Preparation of investor presentations and bank-ready reporting packs for maritime financing, supporting relationships with investors and partners
Streamline your maritime accounting process with tailored solutions

About Oncount: Top Marine Accounting Firm in Dubai

Oncount is a Dubai-based marine accounting and advisory financial services firm specializing in end-to-end maritime compliance. With a focus on UAE corporate regulation and international maritime standards, our services are built to align with both FTA mandates and IFRS reporting requirements. We offer quality accounting solutions that support both mainland and free zone marine businesses by integrating local regulatory awareness with international accounting rigor.

8+ Years of Local Experience, 320+ Clients Served

Established in 2016, Oncount has served over 320 companies across the UAE, including numerous marine and shipping companies:

Services delivered in English, Arabic, and Russian to support Dubai’s multilingual maritime community
Full adherence to FTA guidelines, UAE Cabinet Decisions, and IFRS reporting practices
Jurisdiction-specific expertise across Dubai Maritime City, JAFZA, and mainland licensing authorities

Clarity Over Routine: Professional Marine Accountants and Consultants in Dubai

Oncount prioritizes transparency, communication, and actionable insights over passive data entry. Each maritime client is assigned a dedicated accounting manager with a defined escalation structure. Reports are delivered in investor-ready formats, supporting strategic planning and regulatory readiness. Our comprehensive services include:

Full marine accounting and maintenance of books of accounts
VAT filing and corporate tax compliance for maritime operations
Audit preparation and regulatory reporting
Ship registration accounting and vessel management
Environmental compliance and sustainability reporting
Financial analysis and complex maritime transaction processing
Structured monthly workflows with cutoff dates and SLA-based delivery
Communication via Zoom, WhatsApp, and secure email
Custom reporting templates for board meetings, lender reviews, and regulatory submissions

Why Choose Us for Marine Accounting Services in Dubai

Oncount’s systems, personnel, and regulatory knowledge are designed for maritime businesses that prioritize both compliance and clarity, making us one of the leading marine accounting and auditing firms in Dubai.

Quality Control Process

Our deliverables are executed through standardized review procedures to ensure precision, compliance, and audit-readiness across all maritime operations:

Dual review of financial records for accuracy
Periodic reconciliation of cash inflow, outflow, and vessel operational balances
SOPs mapped to FTA and IFRS standards
Transaction verification and documentation for maritime activities

Legal and Technical Accuracy

Our solutions combine automation with regulatory insight, enabling error-free reporting and full alignment with UAE statutory requirements:

Use of certified accounting software (Zoho Books, Xero, QuickBooks UAE edition) with maritime modules
Full implementation of VAT compliance, corporate tax, and environmental reporting workflows
Marine accounting system customized to vessel operations and shipping business needs

Multilingual, Real-Time Support

Our support features include responsive communication and seamless access to financial data, ensuring clarity and speed in all maritime client interactions:

Communication in four languages for international maritime teams
SLA-based ticket resolution for accounting adjustments
Instant access to monthly reports and audit documentation via cloud portal

Outsourcing Marine Accounting Services: The Smart Choice for Dubai Maritime Businesses

When you handle your marine accounting activities through outsourcing to professional maritime accounting firms in Dubai like Oncount, you gain:

Time to focus on core maritime business growth initiatives
Cost savings compared to in-house accounting teams
Expert marine accounting services and strategic financial guidance
Accurate and compliant financial reporting aligned with UAE requirements
Reduced risk of regulatory penalties from maritime authorities
Up-to-date financial insights for better decision-making in vessel operations

If your marine company requires accurate, legally compliant, and fully customized accounting services in Dubai, Oncount offers unmatched regulatory alignment, maritime industry experience, and responsive client support to meet the needs of all shipping and maritime businesses in the UAE.

FAQ

About Marine Accounting Services in Dubai

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What specific accounting standards apply to marine companies in the UAE?

Marine companies in the UAE must comply with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) for financial reporting, UAE VAT Law for transaction recording, and specific maritime laws from authorities like Dubai Maritime City Authority. Special accounting treatments are required for vessel operations, environmental compliance costs, and international shipping transactions. Our marine accounting services ensure full compliance with these overlapping laws and regulations while maintaining accurate books of accounts for vessel operations and shipping transactions.

How does VAT compliance work for marine and shipping companies in Dubai?

Maritime companies operating in the UAE must register for VAT if their annual turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Shipping transactions often involve complex VAT treatments, including zero-rated supplies for international shipping and standard-rated domestic services. Our accounting services include VAT registration, monthly filing, and proper classification of maritime transactions to ensure staying compliant with FTA regulations.

What are the key differences between mainland and free zone accounting requirements for marine companies?

Free zone marine companies benefit from certain tax exemptions and simplified reporting requirements, while mainland maritime businesses must comply with full UAE corporate tax obligations. Our marine accounting services are customized based on your jurisdiction, ensuring proper treatment of vessel depreciation, international voyage revenue, and environmental compliance costs according to applicable regulations.

How do you handle multi-currency transactions and international voyage accounting?

Marine companies frequently deal with multi-currency transactions from international shipping operations. Our accounting software and procedures include real-time currency conversion, proper hedging accounting, and voyage-specific profit and loss tracking. We maintain separate accounting records for each vessel’s operations while consolidating financial statements according to IFRS requirements.

What documentation is required for marine company audits in Dubai?

Maritime audits require comprehensive documentation including vessel registration papers, charter agreements, crew salary records, insurance policies, port authority receipts, and environmental compliance certificates. Our marine accounting services maintain audit-ready documentation throughout the year, ensuring smooth interactions with auditing firms and regulatory bodies.

How do you manage environmental compliance and sustainability reporting for marine companies?

Environmental compliance is increasingly important for maritime operations under both local and international environmental standards. Our accounting services track environmental costs, sustainability investments, and compliance expenses separately while ensuring compliance with shipping safety and environmental regulations. We prepare comprehensive environmental and sustainability reports aligned with international environmental guidelines and UAE environmental protection standards, supporting your company’s commitment to responsible maritime operations and meeting stringent environmental standards.

Can you provide accounting services for both vessel ownership and ship management companies?

Yes, our marine accounting expertise covers both vessel ownership structures (including depreciation, financing costs, and asset management) and ship management operations (crew costs, maintenance expenses, and operational service revenue). We customize our accounting methods based on your specific maritime business model and operational structure.

Looking to take your business  to the next level? Our professional accounting team in Dubai is here  to help yousoar financially. We handle everything from detailed reports  to smart tax strategies, so you can focus on whatyou do best—growing your company.

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+971 589 217 784

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info@oncount.com

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Office 3402, Indigo Icon-1, Cluster F, JLT, Dubai

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Ready to see real growth? Reach out to our team for a free consultation.  We'll chat about your needs and show you exactly how our accounting services in Dubai can make a difference for your business.

Thank you — your answers have been submitted.
Our team will review your inputs and get in touch shortly.

Usually within 1 business day via email or WhatsApp