International services
International services for businesses in the financial services sector
Our services extend beyond the UK to international businesses in the financial services sector, where we provide audit and assurance, tax compliance and advisory, and prudential reporting and advisory services to regulated clients.
Latest articles
Audit requirements for DFSA regulated entities
In accordance with GEN Rule 8.4.1, an entity regulated by the DFSA requires an annual external audit. The audit report must be signed off by a Registered Auditor – we provide this service through Buzzacott Chartered Accountants Limited.
Tax considerations for setting up in the UAE
Setting up in the UAE remains attractive to financial services firms due to 0% personal income tax, competitive corporate tax rules, and modernising VAT and compliance frameworks. However, UAE tax obligations have evolved significantly in recent years, and new entrants should be aware of both the corporate and individual tax considerations.
Introduction to the DFSA prudential regime
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) prudential regime sits at the heart of financial regulation within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Its purpose is clear: to safeguard financial stability, maintain investor confidence, and ensure the integrity of one of the world’s fastest growing financial hubs.
Our services
Audit and assurance
Our Corporate Assurance team of 90+ professionals is headquartered out of London and provides services to our clients worldwide. We annually carry out the following audits:
Statutory audits to entities in:
Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC);
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM); and
The Crown Dependencies
Our clients are regulated by the DFSA, FSRA, GFSC, and JFSC.
Non-statutory audits to entities in:
The Crown Dependencies;
Cayman Islands; and
British Virgin Islands
We are also a Registered Firm with the PCAOB.
Our team's experience in the financial services sector makes us a preferred option for clients looking for an external auditor from a mid-tier firm.
Tax compliance and advisory
Compliance
We provide tax compliance services to our clients in the UK that are part of international groups including, but not limited to, the UAE, the US and The Crown Dependencies. The international compliance services we provide are:
Preparation of consolidated tax notes for international groups
Transfer pricing assessments
Reporting fund regime entry application and ongoing compliance
Corporate interest restriction (CIR) assessments and returns
Withholding tax reviews and treaty relief claims
VAT advice and compliance on cross‑border transactions
Advisory
We work with individual entities and groups to provide international tax advisory services. We commonly provide clients with the following advisory services:
International expansion tax planning
Hybrid mismatch reviews
Disguised Investment Management Fees (DIMF) and the Investment Manager Exemption (IME) reviews
Impact of controlled foreign company (CFC) rules
Tax due diligence for acquisitions or restructurings
Profit repatriation and cross‑border distribution planning
Employment and mobility tax considerations
Regulatory reporting and advisory
Outside the services provided to our clients that are regulated by the FCA, we also have the knowledge and expertise to assist you when you are considering setting up a regulated entity overseas.
We provide services to UAE based fund managers, investment advisory firms, brokers, and asset management companies needing to comply with regulatory requirements such as:
Reviewing capital and liquidity adequacy
Assisting with the review of quarterly regulatory reports
Contact us
We're here to help - whether you have a question, need advice, or want to tell us about your requirements.
Connect with our team leads
Melanie Dodd - Partner, Corporate Assurance
Melanie specialises in financial services and her clients range from privately owned businesses to international groups. Her portfolio includes funds, asset managers, investment advisers and private equity groups.
Antoine Housden - Head of Financial Services Tax
Antoine has over 20 years’ experience advising the fund and asset management industry, as well as broader financial services businesses, on UK and international tax matters. His expertise covers hedge fund and private equity fund structuring, carried interest planning, transfer pricing, DIMF, IME, as well as the UK’s offshore reporting fund regime.
Priya Mehta - Head of Prudential Reporting and Advisory Services
Priya's clients depend on her and her team to proactively advise on upcoming changes and guide them through understanding all nuances. Her portfolio comprises UK and international based fund managers, investment advisory firms, brokers and asset management companies needing to comply with the relevant prudential regimes.