Do accountants and auditors in the UAE need to register on goAML?
Yes. Independent accountants and auditors in the UAE are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), which means they must register on the goAML portal operated by the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit. Registration is mandatory even where the firm has never identified a suspicious transaction, because goAML is the channel through which every DNFBP files reports and receives feedback from the FIU.
In practice a firm creates its organisation profile, appoints a registered administrator, and links its compliance officer to the account. Failure to register is treated by the supervisor as an internal controls failure and can attract administrative penalties, so registration should be completed before the firm takes on reportable client work rather than after a suspicion arises.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 (Executive Regulations), Article 18 — requires DNFBPs to report suspicious transactions to the FIU immediately, which in practice is done through goAML.
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 16 — sets out the supervisory framework under which DNFBPs, including auditors, are monitored for AML/CFT compliance.
For more details, consult the full text of Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.