Baker Tilly UAE

Environmental, Social and Governance: What it means for UAE businesses and why it is now a board-level priority.

ESG is no longer a checkbox. For UAE businesses, it is becoming a licence to operate, a tool to attract capital, and a signal of long-term resilience.

Here is what it means for you:

🌱 Environmental: Managing emissions, energy, resources and climate-related risks.
👥 Social: Strengthening employee wellbeing, diversity, human rights and community impact.
⚖️ Governance: Enhancing transparency, accountability, risk management and ethical decision-making.

For boards and leadership teams, ESG is increasingly about managing risk, meeting stakeholder expectations and building a resilient, future-ready business.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.

In his latest article, Armen Biberian, Partner at Baker Tilly UAE, explores how Internal Controls and ICOFR can improve audit outcomes, strengthen financial reporting, reduce audit findings and enhance governance.

With evolving UAE corporate tax, IFRS, DIFC, ADGM and VARA requirements, robust controls are becoming a strategic advantage, not just a compliance requirement.

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀.

Read the full article: https://www.bakertilly.ae/insights/how-strong-internal-controls-and-icofr-improve-audit-outcomes-a-boardroom-advantage-for-uae-businesses

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗧𝗔 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲?

The Federal Tax Authority issued Decision No. 13 of 2026 today, that provides further detail on the verification of the validity and integrity of supplies Taxable Persons receive.

The Decision builds on Article 54 bis of the UAE VAT Law, which came into effect on 1 January 2026 and introduced the framework under which input tax may be denied where a taxable person knew, or should have known, that a supply was connected with tax evasion. Applicable from 1 October 2026, the new Decision sets out the measures, procedures and conditions taxable persons must follow when carrying out the required verifications.

The significance goes beyond input VAT recovery at the time of filing a VAT return. Businesses will need to consider how the requirements affect:

● Supplier onboarding, verification, and risk assessment
● Procurement and accounts payable controls
● Invoice review, VAT coding, and recovery determination
● Supporting documentation and audit trails

With a limited period before the Decision becomes applicable, businesses should assess whether these requirements are appropriately reflected in their existing processes and VAT control framework.

For further information on the Decision and its practical implications, please contact us at https://www.bakertilly.ae/contact-us

Follow Baker Tilly UAE for further updates and practical insights on developments across the UAE tax landscape.

AI is rapidly reshaping the UAE business landscape, with 7 in 10 leaders expecting it to drive significant growth. However, as organizations accelerate their digital transformation journeys, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought.

Sustainable transformation requires balancing innovation with resilience. Organizations that integrate strong cybersecurity practices into their AI and digital strategies will be better positioned to protect their operations, maintain stakeholder trust, and unlock long-term value.

At Baker Tilly UAE, we help organizations strengthen their cyber resilience through tailored cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, and digital risk advisory services. Learn more about our Cybersecurity Services: Baker Tilly UAE Cybersecurity Services.

𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲?

As organizations rapidly adopt AI across decision-making, finance, cybersecurity and operations, governance frameworks are struggling to keep pace.

The real boardroom question is no longer "Are we using AI?" but "Is AI being governed effectively?"

In his latest article, Nawaz Saiyed, Partner at Baker Tilly UAE, explores the governance gap, the risks boards should not ignore, and the critical role of Internal Audit in providing independent assurance over AI-enabled activities.

Read the full article: https://www.bakertilly.ae/insights/ai-is-outpacing-governance-the-boardroom-risk-no-one-can-delegate

Baker Tilly UAE launched 6-week Longevity Program for its people, developed by certified longevity specialist.

The biggest takeaway from the first week of the Longevity Program was the importance of looking ahead and visualizing the self-health conditions in 10 years from now. Equally valuable was learning relaxation techniques that help create moments of calm, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing.

We also took a moment to recognise and celebrate the Independence Days of India and Pakistan, a reflection of the diversity that makes our workplace stronger.

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Congratulations, Dave! 🎉

We are proud to share that Dave Redulla, Manager at Baker Tilly UAE, has been shortlisted as a Rising Star – Tax in the ITR (International Tax Review) Middle East Tax Awards.

This recognition celebrates emerging talent making a meaningful impact in the tax profession, and we are delighted to see Dave recognised among the region's leading professionals.