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Advantages of Outsourcing Accounting Services in Dubai
December 25, 2022
Fortius Team
With a background of business people using laptops, the graphic features a business concept emblem in the foreground.
How Do Startups And Entrepreneurs In Dubai Benefit From Outsourcing Accounting Services? Business leaders from around the world consider Dubai to be one of the most advantageous places to start a new business. The opportunities here are infinite with individuals from all over the globe and a thriving economy. You would want everything, from planning your logistics to establishing your physical (or virtual) storefront, to be flawless. Although it's easy to get caught up in the action, it's essential to take time out to plan out the business's finances and accounting. A healthy startup cannot function without accurate accounting and bookkeeping. However, as a self-made entrepreneur, it may be quite difficult to manage your company's finances, particularly in the beginning. Even when you have achieved some level of success, the continued management of your company's finances will add a new level of complexity to the process of operating the firm, which will, in turn, take time away from activities that generate money. Numerous advantages await your company when you outsource your accounting needs in Dubai. Through these services, your business may get professional help for time-taking tasks and processes including bookkeeping, financial planning, back office support, reconciliation, payroll processing, and many other accounting-related chores that are specialised to your sector. In this article, we will take a short look at the many types of outsourced CFO accounting services available in the UAE, as well as the best times to use them. Which financial and commercial duties can be outsourced? Any business, no matter how big or small, may benefit from hiring an external accounting firm to maintain orderly financial records and accurately document financial activities. The top financial responsibilities that are outsourced are listed below: Managing the accounts payable and receivable Accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) outsourcing optimise cash flow and guarantee on-time payments. Small or new enterprises that lack a dedicated finance staff to manage all the obligations can use this service. Your team may be complemented by an external accounting company, which could offer the following services: Approval and storage of invoices Online transactions Processing of checks Order control Billing and payments for clients Cost reporting Responding to vendor questions Management of collections and debt Financial planning Developing A Financial Plan In order to assess the health of their company and direct their decision-making, organisations require operational analysis and monitoring. In large and more established firms, the CFO is often in charge of several of these duties. However, not every startup or newly emerging company has the resources to engage a full-time CFO. Financial planning services are available to smaller businesses by outsourcing CFO services for startups. And these services can be well availed within the budgetary limits. Services provided by an outsourced CFO might be: Providing reports on the collection, analysis, and prediction of financial data Estimating costs and income Advicing on personnel and funding possibilities Discussing with investors Budgeting and planning Creating profitable business prospects Accounting Services Hiring a third party to handle bookkeeping means you can rely on a group of experts to keep your financial records in order and safe from prying eyes. They can assist you in removing errors, typos, omissions, and oversights from your financial paperwork while keeping your financial records correct and up-to-date. Services for outsourced bookkeeping include: Managing employee expenses Adjusting ledgers Consolidating several entities and multiple currencies Administration of the order to cash Handling of e-payments and procurement Managing subscription/maintenance renewals Managing time and expenses Processing and payment of invoices Setting up of accounting and bookkeeping software Filing and Submission of Tax Returns Accounting knowledge is necessary if you want your company to comply with all tax rules, which is a must. Hiring a third-party accounting firm can help you stay compliant while reducing the risk of making mistakes that might harm your business. Companies outsourcing tax filing services do a number of things to improve the way businesses handle their taxes, such as: Assist with tax collection, filing, transferring funds, and staying in line with tax rules Franchise tax support Assist with Payroll tax– its collection, filing as well as payment Tax planning, to help a company pay less in taxes and reduce its risks Verification of statements for compliance Handling Payroll When a business outsources its payroll processing, it automates the process, resulting in increased efficiency and dependability. There are a lot of outsourced accounting companies that use payroll software to keep costs down. Errors in processing payments or filing tax returns are less likely to occur, thanks to technological advancements, which means your business will pay less fines. With payroll outsourcing, you may expect accurate and quick data, along with the following benefits: Processing of payroll that may, if necessary, be linked to an existing accounting package Filing of payroll taxes Access on-the-go, from any device, self-service for employees Paying workers in a variety of ways, such as by bank transfer and payment cards Processing at year's end, including W-2, and Tax and Wage Statement. Legal procedures for wage garnishment Payroll and individualised reporting Keeping tabs on staff members Notification of new hires Easily accessible customer service Preparing reports or financial statements By outsourcing your accounting, you may access a group of knowledgeable CPAs who can provide the financial records your company requires for both internal and external reporting. The outsourced service aids in: Tracking Cash flow by combining your income and expenditure into financial statements. Bringing in investors, increase public awareness, and guarantee growth. Using detailed reports to inform executives and members of the board about financial performance, enabling management to make adjustments for sustained success. Addressing cash flow concerns and foresee potential challenges in the future. Regulatory Services Your company will benefit from more financial monitoring and an in-depth review of its cash flow when you hire controller services. The greatest users of this service are established and expanding businesses that need more strategic direction and insights to foster their development. Controller services that are outsourced assist in: Reporting on audits
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Reasons To Consider For Hiring CFO Services For Your Small Business
December 10, 2022
Fortius Team
Close-up shot of a chief finance officer reviewing the company's financial chart documents.
Your finance department needs to have clearly defined roles if you want your small firm to function at a high level. But not all small businesses have the resources to recruit a CFO. You won't need to employ a CFO when your company first launches. However, your financial department's requirements will vary as your company grows. You'll eventually have to think about hiring one. An outsourced CFO can help your company grow stronger and more secure financially without incurring the same expenditures as a full-time, experienced CFO. Contact Fortius Consulting Services to acquire the best outsourced CFO services in UAE and Asia. A Brief Explanation of CFO (Chief Financial Officer) The highest-ranking financial expert in an organisation, the chief financial officer (CFO), is in charge of the company's financial well-being. The most professional and senior financial employees in a company are the CFOs. They monitor cash flow, budget the company's finances, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and make strategic recommendations. They are knowledgeable about state and federal laws and generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP). The SEC is one of the regulatory bodies and authorities CFOs must report to. Indications That Your Small Business Needs a CFO Do you intend to sell your business? CFOs can help you with mergers and acquisitions. If your firm undergoes audits frequently, you'll want a CFO to focus and ensure everything is going right. As they will also represent the business during an audit, you, as the owner, will have one less thing to worry about. Hire a CFO if you believe these efficient experts will help your company excel. In other words, a CFO can step in and organise things for you if your finance department is disorganised and requires more structure. These are the top indications that your small business needs a CFO. Signs to Look Out for to Hire a CFO When and why would your company need the expertise of a CFO? Here are some of the situations that can be handled better by a CFO, either in-house or outsourced. Take a look and decide if your company needs to hire a CFO now. Growing Fast If your company is growing, a CFO may be necessary. You can effectively handle all of the sectors you are expanding into with the aid of a CFO. When a business starts to flourish, many need to learn how to manage cash inflows and outflows or even when they need more funding. This is a typical indication of the need for a CFO. Deteriorating Profits If your small business's profits are declining and you need to understand why, you need to consider hiring a CFO. This is particularly valid if sales are holding steady or even rising. A CFO will be more knowledgeable about the reasons behind your dropping profitability. They can review your financial statements, accounts payable and receivables, and cash flow and offer insights into what they discover. Their advice might help you regain profitability so that your company can expand. Considering Larger Investments Hiring a CFO might also be a good idea if your company is planning to invest in businesses that could affect your profit margins. Some examples of this could be expanding your products or investing in automation to meet your business needs. In such situations, the CFO might help your company with an effective investment strategy. Entering a Fresh Market A CFO's competence extends beyond finance, although it is frequently connected with financial decisions. They can help ensure the success of the expansion, whether you're creating a new service, offering, or seeking a new consumer base. CFOs are also very good at identifying market trends and new business prospects by utilising data. When your company has the resources and ability to enter new markets, your CFO will let you know. Contemplating a Merger or Acquisition Mergers are challenging. You will require a CFO on your team if your business is being bought or has acquisition intentions for another company. Before, during, and following the merger, your CFO will ensure the accuracy of your financial statements. To verify if the acquisition helps your company, CFOs can also examine the financial data of the competing company. During this shift, they can relieve some of your burdens while ensuring that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Raising Capital If you need to raise money, a CFO can also assist you in figuring out how much money you'll need to invest and how much revenue you'll make. You may need to get a bank loan to buy new equipment. Or perhaps you're seeking a venture capitalist or investor to provide something more substantial. A CFO can help you with this procedure, no matter your circumstances. When you offer your financial records to an investor or lender, they will ensure that they are all accurate and well-organised. This raises the likelihood that you'll get the money you need. Handling Time-consuming Manual Processes Is your staff managing the books and taking a lot of time? You need to sit back and assess whether your time is being used effectively. Simple bookkeeping activities should take less of your time. If bookkeeping staff are ineffective, you could be incurring excessive payroll expenses. A CFO can enhance every step of your bookkeeping procedure. They'll be able to assign tasks and ensure you're utilising the most recent software to make your bookkeeping tasks more efficient. Also Read: Why Does Dubai Stand Best Among The Cities In The World For Entrepreneurs Inability to Understand Financial Reports Always examine your finances before making a significant business choice. Even if your bookkeeper produced correct financial records, you need help comprehending them. The financial report analysis is a speciality of CFOs. They'll be able to tell you whether you have enough money to make critical financial commitments like expanding your business, taking on debt, hiring additional workers, and purchasing new equipment. Contacting Experts You can get in touch with the appropriate industry specialists with the assistance of a CFO. The majority of
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The Intricacies of Corporate Tax in the UAE: A Complete Guidebook
December 5, 2022
Fortius Team
In January 2022, the UAE Ministry of Finance announced the implementation of corporate tax across the United Arab Emirates. If you are running an organisation in the UAE, it’s time to make yourself aware of corporate tax and its role in your business. What is Corporate Tax & How is it Implemented in the UAE? Recently, the UAE government introduced new taxes for UAE businesses. Value-Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in 2018, followed by corporate tax in January 2022. Corporate tax is a relatively new concept in the UAE, which will only come into effect in June 2023. Corporate tax is a direct tax levied on the net profit of an organisation. Corporate tax is also known as Corporate Income Tax or Business Profit Tax. Which businesses are subject to UAE corporate tax? Generally, the UAE corporate tax applies to all companies, but for some exceptions: All businesses involved in the extraction of natural resources Foreign companies or individuals who run a regularised business in the UAE Apart from these exceptions, the UAE corporate tax applies to all categories of net income and profits mentioned in financial statements prepared as per internationally accepted accounting standards. Implementing this tax in the UAE is expected to open more foreign investment opportunities for UAE-based businesses, cementing the UAE’s position as a leader in the global economy. Acknowledging the corporate tax in UAE will also improve corporate governance and strengthen the nation's economy. Besides, businesses may find it more beneficial to pay corporate taxes rather than additional income taxes. Above all, corporate tax is set to fortify UAE’s strategic objectives and reinforce its commitment to transparent tax practices. Details About Corporate Tax Limit & Its Applicability in the UAE UAE’s Ministry of Finance has drafted some applicability limits for corporate tax: Tax-free income up to AED 375,000. AED 375,000 and above are subject to a 9% tax. Large multinationals meeting specific criteria may be taxed at a different rate (not yet specified). The Ministry states that corporate taxes will be levied only if the net income crosses the defined threshold limit. Businesses whose net income is below the limit are exempted from corporate tax. Applicability of Corporate Tax According to the UAE Ministry of Finance announcement, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) will be responsible for the administration, collection, and enforcement of the corporate tax from: Banking operations. All free zone businesses in the UAE. All companies and individuals running a business with a UAE commercial license. Foreign firms and individuals permitted to operate in the UAE on an ongoing or regular basis. Organisations dealing with real estate management, agency, brokerage activities, and construction. Corporate Tax in the UAE: When Will it be Implemented? The Ministry has announced that corporate tax will be implemented on or after June 1, 2023. The authorities have announced dates of corporate tax applicability in recognition that businesses follow different financial year start dates. Here are the details: Businesses whose fiscal year starts on July 1, 2022, and ends on June 30, 2024, are subject to UAE Corporate Tax from July 1, 2023. Businesses whose fiscal year starts on January 1, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2022, are subject to UAE Corporate Tax from January 1, 2024. Calculating Corporate Tax in the UAE The following steps should be followed when calculating corporate tax: Find the adjusted gross income Find the allowed deductions to calculate the taxable income Evaluate the business taxable incomes using the below formula: Taxable income = Adjusted Gross Income - Applicable Deductions Finally, the taxable income is multiplied by the corporate tax percentage to calculate the corporation's tax liability. According to UAE tax laws, corporate tax is calculated as 9% of net profit after subtracting all applicable deductions and excluding exempted income from the financial statements. Taxes paid on foreign earnings will also be deducted from profits shown in the financial statements. Finally, the taxable income is calculated by subtracting all deductions from the net profit. Essential Documents Needed to File Corporate Taxes The UAE Income Corporate Tax regime uses the accounting net profit position in a business's financial statements to determine taxable income. Taxable companies should submit the following information while filing for corporate taxes: Taxable incomes, including profits from product or service sales Capital gains Rental income Business financial reports Accounting books Details of income from interests and commissions Corporate Tax Filing: Major Pointers to Keep in Mind Since many UAE-based businesses will be filing their corporate taxes for the first time, here’s a “to-do” list to bear in mind: Provide only accurate and relevant information for documentation purposes Be well-versed in corporate tax implementation and court rulings on the same Follow the formulated law stated by UAE’s Ministry of Finance Consider tax planning before filing to avoid paying more than the actual taxable amount. Consider your business objectives, future incorporations, and changes that will be made for long-term tax benefits. Simple Tips to Avoid Tax Burdens & Gearing Up For Corporate Tax Implementation Your organisation could become liable for unnecessary tax burdens if you are not careful. To avoid heavy tax burdens, companies should take the following precautions: Claim all expenses incurred by company entities Invest in long-term assets Invest in tax-efficient investments and divert the contribution towards tax-efficient accounts Accelerating depreciation charges for the purchases in the firm Award stock options to employees and benefits for employees’ dependents Now that you know all the essential details about implementing the corporate tax in the UAE, it is time to incorporate corporate tax into your business. Also Read: How SMEs in UAE Benefit From Outsourcing Accounting Services The 4-Phased Approach To Incorporating Corporate Tax Assess the impact of corporate tax on your business before the issuance of corporate tax laws After the tax laws are issued, make a detailed assessment and plan for your tax methodologies Ensure that all activities adhere to the guidelines Double-check to ensure you have submitted the first corporate tax returns post-implementation Gear up your finance teams and business
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Fortius Consulting Services is a trusted name for business consulting and CFO services in the UAE, Singapore and India. Through our expert consulting and advisory services,we assist organisations across the UAE & Asia to boost their profitability, improve operational effectiveness, increase management capability, institutionalise strategies, and upgrade their internal structures.
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