Professional Restaurant Accounting Services in Dubai, UAE

Are you looking for reliable restaurant accounting services in Dubai and across the UAE? As one of the leading accounting firms in the region, Oncount delivers structured, compliant, and scalable restaurant accounting services tailored specifically for Dubai businesses and restaurants operating throughout the UAE. Our professional chartered accountants ensure your financial records remain accurate and up-to-date, helping you streamline operations while maintaining full compliance with UAE VAT regulations and Federal Tax Authority requirements.

The restaurant industry in Dubai and the UAE has experienced remarkable growth over the past decades in UAE, with new restaurant concepts and technology companies for their business expansion creating a competitive business environment. Our expert team understands the unique challenges facing restaurant and franchise owners, from managing daily sales reconciliation to navigating the complexities of restaurant accounting in both mainland UAE and free zone jurisdictions.

Comprehensive Restaurant Accounting Solutions

Oncount's restaurant accounting and bookkeeping services are designed to ensure full compliance with UAE legislation while supporting operational efficiency. Our accounting firm provides services mapped to the requirements of:

  • UAE VAT Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017)
  • UAE Corporate Tax Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022)
  • UAE Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 32 of 2021)
  • Federal Tax Authority recordkeeping and audit guidelines

Core Restaurant Accounting Services

Our professional restaurant accounting services in Dubai are structured to ensure full compliance with UAE restaurant industry regulations, supporting both operational accuracy and tax compliance transparency:

  • Daily Sales Recording with an industry-standard chart of accounts configured for restaurant operations
  • VAT computation and filing based on Federal Tax Authority rules, including proper classification of dine-in versus delivery sales
  • Inventory management integration with the accounting system to track food costs and operating expenses
  • Monthly financial reporting, profit and loss statements, and cash flow analysis
  • Credit card statement reconciliation and cash deposit verification management
  • Payroll processing aligned with UAE labor law requirements and the working hours of employees

Restaurant Accounting Recovery Services

Our restaurant accounting services in Dubai offer solutions designed to recover historical compliance, restore reporting accuracy, and prepare businesses for regulatory audits:
  • Reconstruction of missing or delayed financial records
  • Support for late VAT registration and voluntary disclosures
  • Documentation compilation for Federal Tax Authority audit queries and compliance reviews
  • Creating and maintaining financial records for previous periods

VAT Services for Restaurants

These specialized services help restaurant businesses maintain regulatory alignment while protecting against Federal Tax Authority penalties and compliance risks:
  • VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority setup via FTA-linked systems
  • Economic Substance Regulation compliance for designated restaurant chains
  • Anti-Money Laundering review for red flags and Suspicious Transaction reporting in line with UAE AML regulations

Business Setup and Corporate Support Services

In addition to restaurant accounting services, Oncount supports the full corporate lifecycle in Dubai and the UAE, from company formation to regulatory upkeep, making us one of the best accounting and advisory firms in the region.
  • Business registration in mainland UAE jurisdictions (Department of Economic Development) and major free zones (DIFC, ADGM, RAKEZ)
  • Assistance with UAE corporate bank account setup, KYC preparation, and compliance documentation
  • Support for identifying facilities and locations to start restaurant businesses

Company Formation & Banking

  • Trade license renewal reminders and coordination
  • Economic Substance Regulation registration for financial reporting validation
  • Ongoing support with Corporate Tax declarations and VAT notifications

License & Regulatory Maintenance

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Legal Restaurant Accounting Requirements in Dubai: Why Accurate Restaurant Accounting is Crucial for Businesses in the UAE

All restaurants in Dubai and the UAE must maintain compliant financial records, regardless of size or legal structure. As per the UAE Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 32 of 2021), records must reflect a true and fair view of financial performance. Services such as structured restaurant accounting, VAT filing, and financial reporting preparation ensure businesses meet these legal obligations consistently and accurately.
UAE restaurant accounting must comply with federal laws, administrative penalties, and Federal Tax Authority rules on VAT and recordkeeping:

  • UAE VAT Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017)
  • Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017 (VAT Executive Regulation)
  • Federal Tax Authority recordkeeping and audit guidelines
  • UAE Corporate Tax Law Implementation Requirements

Applicable Laws & Resolutions

Oncount helps reduce fines through timely filings, compliance checks, and accurate financial reporting:

  • Failure to maintain proper records may trigger fines of AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 under Federal Tax Authority penalties
  • Misclassification under free zone exemptions may invalidate Corporate Tax benefits
  • Our tools include audit readiness checklists, record backup protocols, and deadline monitoring to ensure penalty avoidance

Risk & Penalty Mitigation

Client Integration & Customization

  • Embedded restaurant accounting support (on-site or remote)
  • Custom dashboards showing KPIs, food cost percentages, labor cost ratios, and daily sales metrics
  • Preparation of investor presentations and bank-ready reporting packs for restaurant expansion
  • Streamline your restaurant accounting process with tailored solutions using suitable accounting software

Restaurant Industry Expertise

  • Fast Casual & QSR: Point-of-sale integration, franchise accounting, and multi-location consolidation
  • Fine Dining: Complex inventory management, staff tip allocation, and seasonal revenue analysis
  • Food Delivery: Online channels reconciliation, third-party platform fee management, and delivery cost analysis
  • Catering Services: Event-based revenue recognition, advance deposit handling, and equipment depreciation
  • Restaurant Franchises: Royalty calculations, brand compliance reporting, and franchisor financial reporting

Industry-Specific Restaurant Accounting Services

Our restaurant accounting services are tailored to the operational and regulatory realities of each client sector, with deep insight into specific accounting and compliance demands within the restaurant industry:

About Oncount: Top Restaurant Accounting Firm in Dubai and the UAE

Oncount is a Dubai-based restaurant accounting and advisory services firm specializing in end-to-end UAE compliance. With a focus on UAE corporate regulation, our services are built to align with both Federal Tax Authority mandates and international accounting standards. We support both mainland UAE and free zone restaurant businesses by integrating local regulatory awareness with international accounting rigor.
Oncount prioritizes transparency, communication, and actionable insights over passive data entry. Each client is assigned a dedicated restaurant 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 restaurant accounting and maintenance of financial records
  • VAT services, filing, restaurant accounting, and audit compliance
  • Corporate Tax returns and advisory services
  • Economic Substance Regulation compliance and entity management
  • Anti-Money Laundering compliance and regulatory reporting
  • Financial reporting and complex financial analysis
  • 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 tax submissions

8+ Years of Local Experience, 320+ Clients Served

Established in 2016, Oncount has served over 320 companies in Dubai and the UAE, ranging from new restaurant startups to multinational restaurant chains:

  • Services delivered in English, Arabic, and Russian to support Dubai's multilingual business community
  • Full adherence to Federal Tax Authority guidelines, UAE Cabinet Decisions, and IFRS reporting practices
  • Jurisdiction-specific expertise across Dubai mainland, Abu Dhabi, and major free zone licensing authorities

Clarity Over Routine: Professional Accountants and Consultants in Dubai

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Why Choose Us for Restaurant Accounting Services in Dubai

Oncount's systems, personnel, and regulatory knowledge are designed for restaurants that prioritize both compliance and clarity, making us one of the leading restaurant accounting and advisory firms in Dubai and the UAE.
Our deliverables are executed through standardized review procedures to ensure precision, compliance, and audit-readiness across all restaurant operations:

  • Dual review of financial records for accuracy
  • Periodic reconciliation of sales, inventory, and expense balances
  • SOPs mapped to the Federal Tax Authority and IFRS standards
  • Source document verification and documentation

Quality Control Process

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

  • Use of certified accounting software (e.g., Zoho Books, Xero, QuickBooks UAE edition)
  • Full implementation of VAT-compliant, Corporate Tax-compliant, and audit-compliant workflows
  • Restaurant accounting system customized to your business needs

Legal and Technical Accuracy

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

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

Multilingual, Real-Time Support

Outsourcing Restaurant Accounting Services: The Smart Choice for Dubai Businesses

When you outsource your restaurant accounting activities to professional firms in Dubai like Oncount, you gain:

  • Time to focus on core business growth initiatives and local concepts in the restaurant industry
  • Cost savings compared to in-house accounting teams
  • Expert restaurant accounting services and strategic operational guidance
  • Accurate and compliant accounting for restaurants aligned with UAE requirements
  • Reduced risk of regulatory penalties and improved ease of doing business
  • Up-to-date financial insights for better business decisions

Suppose your restaurant business requires accurate, legally compliant, and fully customized restaurant accounting services in Dubai and the UAE. In that case, Oncount offers unmatched regulatory alignment, industry experience, and responsive client support to meet the needs of all restaurants in the UAE.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Accounting Services in Dubai

Mainland UAE restaurants must comply with full UAE VAT registration and Corporate Tax requirements, while free zone restaurants may benefit from certain exemptions. Our accounting experts navigate these differences, ensuring appropriate compliance based on your restaurant's location and structure while maximizing available benefits.

How do accounting requirements differ between mainland UAE and free zone restaurants?

What inventory management challenges do restaurants face, and how can accounting services help?

Restaurants face complex inventory management challenges including food spoilage, portion control, and cost fluctuations. Our restaurant accounting and bookkeeping services provide integrated inventory tracking, cost analysis, and management reporting that helps optimize food costs, reduce waste, and improve profitability through better inventory control and purchasing decisions.
Essential financial reports for restaurants include daily sales summaries, profit and loss statements, cash flow analysis, food cost percentages, labor cost ratios, and management reports. These reports enable informed business decisions regarding menu pricing, cost control, and expansion planning in Dubai's competitive restaurant market.
What are the key financial reports restaurants need for business decisions?
Outsourcing your accounting services provides cost-effective solutions, access to qualified professionals, and specialized expertise in restaurant industry accounting. Benefits include reduced operating expenses, improved accuracy in financial reporting, better tax compliance, and more time to focus on core restaurant operations and customer service.

How can outsourcing restaurant accounting services benefit my restaurant business?

The best accounting software for restaurants in Dubai includes cloud-based solutions like Zoho Books, Xero, and QuickBooks UAE edition, integrated with point-of-sale systems. Our expert team helps select suitable accounting software that handles restaurant-specific requirements including inventory tracking, multi-location management, and VAT compliance features.

What accounting software is best suited for restaurants in Dubai?

VAT compliance for restaurants in the UAE involves proper classification of sales (dine-in vs. delivery), accurate VAT calculation at 5% standard rate, monthly VAT return filing, and maintaining compliant records. Our accounting professionals ensure restaurants meet Federal Tax Authority requirements while optimizing VAT positions through proper expense claims and input VAT recovery.

How does VAT compliance work for restaurants operating in the UAE?

Restaurants in Dubai require comprehensive accounting services including daily sales recording, VAT compliance, inventory management, payroll processing, and financial reporting. Our services help ensure that accounting practices align with UAE regulations while supporting efficient restaurant operations through proper reconciliation of daily sales, credit card statements, and cash deposits.

What specific accounting services do restaurants in Dubai require?

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