Running a business in the UAE means staying compliant with strict financial, regulatory, and anti-money laundering standards. Whether you’re in real estate, trade, or a DPMS (Dealer in Precious Metals and Stones), your company may be subject to periodic inspections by relevant authorities.
To ensure a smooth inspection process — and avoid potential fines of up to AED 5,000,000 — it’s critical to have your documentation and procedures in order.
Below is the official list of requirements that UAE companies must maintain and present during a periodic inspection:
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1. Company Information
• Trade License & MOA
• UBO and shareholder register
• Org chart with department heads
• Board and staff list with designations
• Group structure (HQ, branches, licenses)
• Service agreements with external vendors
2. Financial & Banking Details
• Financial statements (2 years)
• AECB credit report
• Bank account list with 12-month statements
3. AML/CFT Policies & Procedures
• Full AML/CFT policy document
• Risk assessment methodology and recent results
• KYC, PEP, record keeping, and TFS procedures
4. Compliance Officer Records
• CO CV and job description
• Agreement with external CO (if outsourced)
• Internal AML/CFT review reports
• Staff AML training plans and attendance logs
• GoAML reporting history
5. Risk Assessment
• Methodology and client risk classification
• Analysis by geography, product, service, and delivery channels
6. Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
• Client list with risk profiles and KYC docs
• Supplier KYC files and sample KYC forms
7. Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)
• PEP register with management approvals
8. Cash & Virtual Currency Transactions
• All cash transactions over 2 years
• Crypto-related transactions with platform and wallet details
9. Ongoing Monitoring
• Ongoing transaction monitoring processes
• List of red flags used for suspicious activity detection
10. GoAML Reports
• STRs/SARs filed in last 2 years
• Suspicious transaction reports and post-action documentation
• Fund freezing or partial name match reports
11. Record Keeping
• Sample records of financial, commercial, and cash transactions
12. Targeted Financial Sanctions
• Sample screening results against sanction lists
13. Internal Audit
• Latest audit on AML/CFT framework effectiveness
14. AML/CFT Training
• List of trainings for staff and management
• Specific training sessions attended by Compliance Officer
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Non-Compliance Penalties
Failure to comply may result in fines between AED 50,000 and AED 5,000,000, business license suspension, or activity restriction.
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At Fuluflow, we help UAE companies stay ahead of regulatory requirements with AI-powered accounting and compliance solutions. If you’re unsure whether your business is ready for a periodic inspection, reach out — we’ll guide you step-by-step.