Assurance service in accordance with approved auditing and review standards in the UAE

The International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE 3000) — Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information — is one of the core professional standards applied in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It provides the fundamental principles and procedures for performing assurance engagements that aim to enhance the reliability and credibility of non-financial information. This standard is implemented in line with the regulatory requirements of the UAE Ministry of Economy, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

An Assurance Engagement is a process in which the professional accountant expresses a conclusion designed to increase the confidence of intended users regarding the evaluation or measurement of a subject matter against defined criteria.

These engagements cover a wide range of areas, including:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of internal control systems
• Reviewing risk management and governance frameworks
• Providing assurance on sustainability and ESG reports (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

ISAE 3000 distinguishes between two types of assurance engagements:

• Attestation Engagements: The responsible party measures or evaluates the subject matter, and the practitioner provides an independent conclusion.
• Direct Engagements: The practitioner directly measures or evaluates the subject matter.

The standard also differentiates between two levels of assurance:

• Reasonable Assurance Engagements: Provide a high level of assurance.
• Limited Assurance Engagements: Provide a moderate level of assurance.

1. Ethical Requirements and Quality Control

Practitioners must comply with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA Code), adopted in the UAE. Key principles include:

• Integrity and objectivity
• Professional competence and due care
• Confidentiality and professional behavior

In addition, audit firms must establish and maintain effective quality control systems in line with ISQC 1 (or its successor, ISQM 1).

2. Engagement Acceptance and Agreement on Terms

An assurance engagement should only be accepted if:

• Responsibility for the subject matter lies with another party.
• The practitioner has the required competence and expertise.

The terms of engagement must be clearly agreed upon and documented in an engagement letter, which outlines the scope, objectives, responsibilities, and limitations of the work.

1. Planning and Evidence Gathering

The planning stage includes:

• Understanding the engagement objectives and subject matter.
• Identifying risks and determining intended users.
• Designing analytical procedures and inquiries suitable to the engagement.

Gathering evidence involves evaluating its sufficiency and appropriateness to support the practitioner’s conclusion, while maintaining comprehensive documentation of key matters and judgments.

2. Evaluation and Documentation

The practitioner must assess whether sufficient and appropriate evidence has been obtained to support the conclusion, document significant findings, consider subsequent events, and obtain written representations from management or the responsible party.

The assurance report should be in writing and include:

• A clear title and addressee
• Identification of the subject matter and criteria used
• A description of the scope, responsibilities, and work performed
• The practitioner’s conclusion — expressed positively (for reasonable assurance) or negatively (for limited assurance)
• The date and signature of the engagement partner

Where material limitations or misstatements exist, the practitioner should issue a qualified or adverse conclusion, as appropriate.

In the UAE, assurance engagements are widely applied across various sectors, including:

• Audit and limited review of financial statements
• Evaluation of internal control and governance system
• Sustainability and ESG reporting assurance
• Tax and corporate compliance reporting

Such engagements play a vital role in enhancing transparency and accountability in the UAE’s business environment, supporting the nation’s vision for a robust and trustworthy economic ecosystem.

🔹 Conclusion

The ISAE 3000 standard provides a comprehensive professional framework for performing assurance engagements in the UAE, strengthening the quality and reliability of both financial and non-financial information. Effective implementation requires continuous professional development and a deep understanding of regulatory expectations and governance standards within the country.

“By adhering to international assurance standards, UAE companies reinforce their commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth