Regulator’s newest Audit Tracking File highlights more potent inspection results, enhanced transparency and new priorities for 2026
Dubai: The Dubai Monetary Services and products Authority (DFSA), the unbiased regulator of economic products and services performed in or from the Dubai World Monetary Centre (DIFC), has revealed its 9th Audit Tracking File, highlighting enhancements in audit high quality requirements and a vital building up in audit job around the Centre.
The file, titled “Audit Monitoring Report: Setting the Standard in Audit Quality within Dubai International Financial Centre”, summarises findings from audit tracking visits performed between 1st January 2024 and thirty first December 2025.
In keeping with the file, the inspection cycle lined 26 inspections throughout 93 audit engagement information, with the next percentage of engagements receiving enough rankings and less unsatisfactory results in comparison with earlier inspection cycles.
Mark Steward, Leader Govt of the DFSA, stated top quality audits stay elementary to resilient monetary markets.
“The DFSA’s 9th Audit Monitoring Report demonstrates our commitment to raising standards, encouraging continuous improvement, and reinforcing confidence in DIFC’s financial ecosystem,” he stated.
“As DIFC continues to grow in depth and breadth, we will continue to work with the audit profession to ensure high standards.”
The file famous endured funding in technical functions, with Registered Auditors recording 10,802 Proceeding Skilled Building (CPD) hours all through the evaluation duration.
Firsts for the audit occupation
The 2024-25 cycle marked a number of milestones for the DIFC audit sector.
Auditors of public indexed firms revealed their first transparency experiences below DFSA Rulebook necessities, disclosing governance buildings, high quality control methods and organisational tradition.
The DFSA additionally issued its first thematic evaluation on Audit Running Papers Archiving and Retention and signed Memoranda of Figuring out with the UAE Ministry of Financial system and Tourism and the UAE Capital Marketplace Authority geared toward strengthening supervisory coordination.
Audit marketplace continues to develop
General audit charges charged via Registered Auditors reached US$33.5 million all through the duration, representing a 74% building up in comparison with the former inspection cycle.
The DFSA stated the rise displays the continuing enlargement and larger complexity of the DIFC audit marketplace.
On the identical time, the regulator stated it’s intently tracking staffing developments inside audit engagements, noting a discount in Audit Main involvement and higher reliance on audit managers.
The DFSA known this as a space requiring consideration to make sure efficient oversight and care for top quality requirements because the marketplace expands.
5 precedence spaces known
The file highlighted 5 thematic spaces requiring endured center of attention around the occupation:
Strengthening the explanation supporting key audit evaluations and judgement selections.Making improvements to scrutiny of funding valuations and knowledgeable assumptions.Bettering evaluation of related-party transactions past accounting compliance.Tailoring earnings popularity procedures to express earnings streams.Regularly updating audit procedures when new dangers emerge all through engagements.Center of attention spaces for 2026
Having a look forward, the DFSA stated its 2026 inspection programme will center of attention on:
Techniques of High quality ManagementThe use of man-made intelligence in auditingRevenue popularity practices
A thematic evaluation on governance and organisational tradition may be deliberate for the 2026-27 duration.
The regulator stated collaboration with UAE government, world standard-setters and world regulatory boards will stay central to efforts geared toward keeping up audit high quality and supporting self assurance in DIFC’s monetary ecosystem.
