The UAE Government is preparing to introduce a new digital accounting and auditing framework aimed at modernizing financial oversight and expanding the responsibilities of chartered accountants. The announcement was made by Abdullah Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of the Auditors Department at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, during the 43rd Annual Convention of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Dubai Chapter.
Speaking to an audience of nearly 3,200 members at the convention themed “Udaan,” Al Hammadi said the upcoming regulations will support the country’s shift toward AI-enabled financial systems. He emphasized that the reforms are designed to accelerate digital transformation in accounting and auditing while enhancing the profession’s role in the UAE’s evolving economic landscape.
A key element of the new framework will be the introduction of Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) reporting guidelines, reflecting the growing global focus on ethical, transparent, and sustainability-driven corporate practices. Al Hammadi also highlighted that the UAE has already bolstered its regulatory ecosystem through reforms implemented in 2025 under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2023, aimed at improving transparency and aligning with international standards.
ICAI Dubai Chapter Chairman CA Jai Prakash Agarwal said this year’s theme emphasizes growth through integrity and collaboration. “The core mission of Udaan is twofold: empowering dreams and elevating the future through concerted action and ethical leadership,” he noted.
Delivering the keynote address, Indian Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor underscored the growing importance of accountants amid global economic shifts. He described accountants as “the moral architecture of the global economy,” with responsibilities extending far beyond numerical analysis.
The UAE’s accounting profession continues to gain momentum, with the number of registered chartered accountants rising to 1,103 by August 2025, up from 871 in 2024. The number of accounting firms has also grown to 396, mirroring the country’s expanding tax and compliance framework. Founded in 1982, the ICAI Dubai Chapter remains the largest among ICAI’s 54 overseas chapters, representing nearly 3,200 members from more than 1,550 companies.
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