Best FTA Approved Accounting Software in Dubai for SMEs

A clean accounting system is now a core compliance control in the UAE. VAT still runs through EmaraTax, and corporate tax stays on the same national infrastructure.

Software does not replace the portal. However, it prepares correct invoices, exports accurate return boxes, and preserves evidence for audits. Thus, FTA-approved accounting software in Dubai simplifies the process. The Federal Tax Authority also runs a Tax Accounting Software Register that accredits vendors and explains how accreditation works. That register shows what “FTA approved” means in practice.

What is FTA Approved and Accredited?

The FTA operates a page for Tax Accounting Software Vendors, which links to Accredited Tax Accounting Software Vendors, which sets out the accreditation scheme and the Tax Accounting Software Register (TASR).

Accreditation signals that a vendor meets FTA criteria. It does not remove a taxpayer’s duty to keep correct accounts or to file through EmaraTax.

The Ministry of Finance has also approved decisions for the Electronic Invoicing System (EIS). These decisions define standards, governance, and the accreditation of solution providers for e-invoices and e-notes. 

The Ministry publishes timelines and scopes, and will phase them in. Buyers should prefer vendors that have a public roadmap for EIS.

Non-Negotiable VAT Features That Software Must Support

• Full tax invoice fields: supplier name, address, TRN, invoice date, description, unit price, quantity, VAT rate, VAT amount in AED, total in AED, and the exchange rate if the currency is not AED.
• Reverse-charge reference where the recipient accounts for VAT.
• Correct credit notes and debit notes that link back to the original invoice.
• Sequential numbering that cannot be overwritten without an audit trail.
• Exports that map to VAT return boxes without manual rework.

Updated for UAE E-invoicing and E-notes

The EIS decisions describe a national system for issuing and exchanging electronic invoices and notes and a process to accredit solution providers. Practical selection of accounting software approved by FTA today should include:

• A vendor statement that EIS will be supported for invoices and notes
• Digital signatures, structured data, and exchange formats on the roadmap
• Sandboxes or pilots as phases open
• Service contracts that include updates tied to EIS milestones

Corporate Tax Readiness Inside the Accounting Stack

Corporate tax starts from accounting profit and moves to taxable income through adjustments and elections. That flow needs clean ledgers, fixed charts, and permanent files. Useful capabilities include: period closes on accrual basis, schedules for depreciation and provisions, related-party tagging, and attachments for contracts and bank proof.

EmaraTax remains the filing endpoint, so the system should export trial balances and schedules that match return logic without edits.

Security and Retention That Pass Audits

Audit success is often about proof. Choose software with role-based access, change logs for master data, and immutable audit trails for posting and reversal. 

Evidence should be stored with each entry or be easy to link. Retention rules flow from VAT and corporate tax law; keep records long enough to satisfy statutory periods and any sector rules. 

When in doubt, align retention with audit cycles and landlord or customs archives. Official FTA materials on invoices and obligations show the level of detail expected during checks.

Evaluation Checklist Teams Can Use to Compare Vendors

• FTA accreditation status and public listing on the TASR page
• EIS readiness backed by documents or contracts
• VAT return exports that tie to EmaraTax boxes

Trial balance, subledger, and attachment exports for auditors

• Logs for user actions and master-data edits
• Data backup, access controls, and tested restore procedures

Key Features to Look for in FTA-Approved Accounting Software for UAE SMEs

Arnifi works with FTA-aligned accounting systems and handles configuration, compliance logic, and reporting on behalf of SMEs. Usually, founders miss the post-compliance aspect of business setup, which leads to further financial obligations and huge penalties. Our team ensure that getting licensed and staying compliant is done right – 

1. Mandatory Post-Compliance Audit
Accounting, VAT, Corporate Tax, ESR, renewals, and audit readiness are ongoing obligations

2. Accurate Documentation
Maintenance & organization of MOAs, UBO filings, invoices, contracts, and banking procedures

3. Lack of Financial Visibility
Founders lack a consolidated view of tax filings & deadlines, increasing the risk of penalties
Automated VAT reports and audit-ready financial records

• UAE VAT-ready invoicing with mandatory tax fields, including TRN and VAT rate
• Support for Peppol-based upcoming FTA e-invoicing mandates
• Inventory and expense tracking for growing small businesses in the UAE
• Secure cloud access with data storage aligned with UAE compliance

How Arnifi Handles Bookkeeping and Compliance

With Arnifi, there’s no need to start by hunting for FTA-approved accounting software in the UAE at all. Arnifi is an experienced and smart bookkeeping and accounting service provider in the UAE that already works on tools aligned with FTA standards and the EIS decisions in practice.

We design the chart of accounts and set VAT and corporate tax codes. Our team posts daily entries and prepares box-ready returns plus audit packs. 

Stay with one partner that keeps ledgers clean and invoices compliant while evidence stays ready for checks, so there’s no need to check product demos and vendor shortlists.

Refrens – Cloud-Based Accounting Software for UAE SMEs

Refrens is a comprehensive cloud-based accounting platform that combines invoicing, accounting, inventory management, and sales CRM into one simple software, helping UAE small and medium enterprises manage their Bank reconciliation, stock, and customer pipelines without juggling multiple apps.

Refrens also include features like quotation generation, proforma invoices, Vat-ready invoicing, and other essential business tools for free, enabling business owners to save time and grow their small business.

FAQs

Is there a single list of FTA-approved software?
The FTA maintains a Tax Accounting Software Register and explains its accreditation scheme for software vendors. Check the current page before buying.

Will UAE e-invoicing change software needs?
Yes. The Ministry of Finance has issued decisions for the Electronic Invoicing System, including approval of solution providers. Choose a vendor that commits to those standards.

Do returns file directly from the software into EmaraTax?
Taxpayers file on EmaraTax. Good systems export box-ready figures and evidence, so filing is quick and consistent.

Which invoice fields are mandatory under VAT rules?
Supplier and recipient details were required, TRN, date, description, VAT rate, VAT amount in AED, and totals in AED, with exchange rate if relevant, plus reverse-charge reference where applicable.

What should be checked during vendor demos?
Return exports, invoice templates, role controls, logs, attachment handling, and the vendor’s EIS roadmap tied to the Ministry’s decisions.

Is Refrens FTA compliant accounting software?
Yes. Refrens is fully VAT-ready for UAE small businesses, provided it is set up correctly and aligned with UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements.

Is Arnifi FTA compliant for accounting and bookkeeping?
Yes. Arnifi delivers accounting and bookkeeping using systems aligned with UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements, ensuring VAT-ready records, compliant invoicing, and documentation that supports EmaraTax filings.