UAE Compliance Advisory and Support

The UAE has a multi-jurisdictional regulatory framework for financial services, with oversight divided between federal and financial free zone authorities. The main regulators include:

• Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE): Regulates and supervises banks, finance companies, exchange houses, and payment service providers across the UAE (excluding financial free zones like DIFC and ADGM). It also oversees certain virtual asset activities such as payment token services.
• Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA): Regulates businesses in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
• Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA): Oversees financial services in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
• Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA):Supervises securities, commodities markets, and virtual asset activities outside the financial free zones. It works in coordination with other regulators to ensure a unified national framework.
• Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA):Regulates virtual asset activities in the Emirate of Dubai (excluding DIFC), including issuance, trading, and custody of digital assets.

Penalties may include substantial fines, license suspension or revocation, legal action, and reputational damage. Compliance ensures firms operate legally, maintain transparency, prevent financial crime, and build trust with regulators, clients, and stakeholders.

The UAE adheres to global standards such as:

• FATF (Financial Action Task Force) guidelines
• OECD CRS (Common Reporting Standard)
• FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)
• GIPS (Global Investment Performance Standards), where applicable

ACA Effecta is our UAE-based compliance advisory brand, following the acquisition of Effecta Compliance Group in 2024. This enhances our local expertise and service delivery in the region.

We have offices in:

• DIFC, Dubai
• ADGM, Abu Dhabi

This allows us to serve clients in these key financial hubs. See here for our office details (scroll to our locations and select Asia).

Our team continuously monitors regulatory developments and engages with local authorities to provide timely, accurate compliance guidance.

Yes. ACA supports firms establishing operations in the DIFC and ADGM by providing end-to-end compliance setup services, including:

• Regulatory licence applications with the DFSA and FSRA
• Design and implementation of compliance frameworks tailored to local regulations
• Staff training and onboarding on local and international compliance standards
• Outsourced compliance roles, including Compliance Officer (CCO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), to help firms meet regulatory requirements from day one

Our outsourced model ensures firms have immediate access to experienced professionals while building internal capabilities over time.

Outsourced compliance officer and MLRO services provide firms with experienced regulatory professionals who help them meet ongoing compliance obligations and maintain financial crime controls.

Services may include compliance framework oversight, regulatory advisory support, compliance monitoring, AML programme management, policy and procedure development, regulatory training, regulatory reporting support, inspection readiness, and assistance with evolving DFSA and FSRA requirements. This model gives firms access to specialist expertise without maintaining a fully in-house compliance function.

An outsourced MLRO can help firms establish, maintain, and oversee their AMLand counter-terrorist financing (CTF) framework.

Responsibilities may include supporting customer due diligence processes, reviewing higher-risk client relationships, overseeing AML monitoring activities, advising on sanctions compliance, maintaining AML policies and procedures, coordinating regulatory reporting obligations, and helping firms prepare for regulatory reviews and inspections.

An outsourced MLRO also provides ongoing guidance to help firms meet DFSA and FSRA financial crime compliance expectations.

An effective compliance monitoring and reporting programme should include ongoing assessment of regulatory obligations, testing of key controls, monitoring of financial crime risks, review of policies and procedures, identification of compliance issues, escalation of material findings, and regular reporting to senior management. Compliance monitoring helps firms identify potential regulatory risks early and supports effective compliance management under applicable DFSA and FSRA requirements.

Regulatory approval requirements depend on the firm’s activities, regulatory permissions, and the applicable DFSA or FSRA rules. Certain controlled functions may require regulatory approval or notification before an individual can perform the role. Firms considering outsourced compliance officer or MLRO arrangements should assess the relevant regulatory requirements and ensure all necessary approvals, notifications, and governance arrangements are in place.

Yes. We provide cybersecurity solutions including:

• Cyber risk assessments
• Third-party risk management and vendor due diligence
• Penetration testing
• Incident response planning
• Regulatory cyber compliance support
• Staff training

These services help firms meet regulatory cyber risk expectations within the region.

ComplianceAlpha is ACA’s award-winning RegTech platform that helps automate and streamline compliance processes. In the UAE, it supports:

• Employee compliance and personal trading
• Trade surveillance
• EComms surveillance and Enterprise Archiving
• Risk monitoring
• Regulatory reporting

We work with a wide range of financial institutions, including:

• Asset managers
• Investment banks
• Broker-dealers
• Corporate finance firms
• Exchanges and fintech firms

Simply fill out the form here, and someone from our team will reach out shortly.