RAA Auditing - Audit & advisory for ambitious UAE businesses

Established UAE | 2016

Anti Money Laundering (AML) Audit

Independent assessment of Anti-Money Laundering controls to meet regulatory obligations and protect against financial crime risks.

Overview

Beyond ticking boxes

A solid AML audit isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about giving management, the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), and the Board the confidence that their systems really work and are strong enough to withstand the risks of money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions violations. In the UAE, where regulated environments such as DFSA, ADGM and VARA hold firms to a high standard, the penalties for slipping up hit hard. That’s why RAA’s AML audit digs deep. We go beyond surface checks, delivering a real, risk-based evaluation of your AML/CFT framework, benchmarked against applicable regulations. You can commission it as a standalone AML audit or include it as part of a broader compliance review — the choice is yours.

At RAA, we apply a risk-based approach and treat it as central to your money laundering compliance culture. We examine how your AML controls are set up and how well they’re actually working. We flag weak spots and gaps, then deliver reports that make it easy to see what needs fixing, track remediation, and demonstrate regulatory readiness.

What this service covers

Policies & Controls Review

Review of AML/CFT policies, procedures, systems, and controls against applicable regulatory requirements

Governance & MLRO Oversight

Assessment of AML governance framework, MLRO responsibilities, and Board oversight

CDD, Monitoring & Screening Testing

Evaluation of customer onboarding, CDD/KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious transaction reporting processes through sample testing

Gap Analysis & Remediation

Identification of control gaps, compliance weaknesses, and root causes, along with management action plans

Board-Ready Reporting

Issuance of AML audit report to management and the Board with risk-rated observations and practical recommendations

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Questions clients ask us about AML audits and regulatory readiness

What is the difference between Internal Audit, Compliance Audit, and AML Audit?

An Internal Audit reviews overall governance, risk management, and controls across finance, operations, and compliance. A Compliance Audit focuses specifically on adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies (e.g., free zone rules, data protection). An AML Audit is a specialised audit that tests AML/CFT controls, CDD/EDD, STR frameworks, sanctions screening, and MLRO effectiveness against regulatory frameworks addressing money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions violations.

Can the AML audit be conducted remotely, or do you require onsite presence?

We offer a hybrid approach. Most document review, data analysis, and interviews can be conducted securely offsite. However, for entities with significant transaction volumes, complex systems, or manual documentation, we recommend an onsite presence for walkthroughs and physical review of records. We discuss and agree the approach with you before the audit commences.

Do you report findings directly to the DFSA, FSRA or any regulators?

No. RAA's AML audit reports are provided to the client only — to senior management, MLRO, and/or the Board as agreed. It is the client's responsibility to report any identified material breaches, unreported suspicious transactions, or other control weaknesses to the relevant regulator where required by law. We do not report directly to any regulator unless expressly required by law or a court order.

How long does an AML audit take?

For a small to medium-sized regulated firm, a focused AML audit typically takes three to four weeks from kick-off to draft report delivery. Larger or more complex organisations may require six to eight weeks. The timeline depends on the volume of customer files, transaction data, and the complexity of your IT systems. We agree timelines and deliverables with you before the audit commences.

Why RAA

Who needs an independent AML audit?

An independent AML audit is essential for financial institutions, DNFBPs, VASPs, real estate agents, corporate service providers, and firms operating within the DIFC and ADGM — not only as a regulatory requirement, but as a fundamental part of doing business responsibly in the UAE.

Registered across ADGM, DIFC, DAFZ and Dubai Mainland

One of very few UAE firms with this breadth of jurisdictional coverage.

Internationally trained team

Deep sector knowledge across 9 industries, from aviation and real estate to family offices and non-profit organisations.

Established 2016 and growing

One of the fastest-growing audit firms in the UAE, built on a strong referral network and a reputation for getting it right.

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Years of experience

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Freezone partnerships

how it works

Our audit process

A clear, efficient process designed to cause minimal disruption and maximum value.

Initial conversation

We discuss your business, entity structure, deadlines and requirements — no commitment needed.

Information gathering

We collect financial records, prior year accounts, and supporting documentation in a structured way.

Audit fieldwork

Our team conducts the audit — reviewing records, testing controls, and verifying financial statements.

Report & sign-off

Audit report issued, findings discussed, and all filings completed to your deadline.

Ready to strengthen your AML controls?

Speak to our team about your AML/CFT audit requirements and we'll confirm scope, timeline and next steps.

Free initial consultation

All UAE jurisdictions

Fast response time