Shivendra Jha
Partner - Head of Advisory Services and International Liaison Partner (ILP)
CBUAE, DFSA, ADGM/FSRA, VARA and CMA compliance services
The regulatory landscape across the UAE continues to evolve as organisations navigate increasingly complex obligations imposed by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), Capital Market Authority (CMA) and other regulatory bodies. Financial Institutions, FinTechs, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), DNFBPs and other regulated entities are expected to demonstrate strong governance, effective compliance frameworks, robust controls and ongoing regulatory oversight to meet growing supervisory expectations.
Managing regulatory compliance requires more than adherence to rules and regulations. Organisations must establish sustainable compliance frameworks, embed regulatory requirements into day-to-day operations, effectively manage regulatory change and maintain a culture of compliance across the business. Failure to do so may result in regulatory breaches, enforcement actions, financial penalties, reputational damage and operational disruption.
At BDO UAE, we help organisations navigate complex regulatory requirements and strengthen their compliance maturity through practical, risk-based and commercially focused solutions. Leveraging deep regulatory expertise across UAE Mainland, DIFC, ADGM and virtual asset regulatory frameworks, we assist clients in designing, assessing, implementing and enhancing compliance programmes that align with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
Payment service provider, SVF and FinTech compliance in the UAE
We have significant experience supporting Retail Payment Services (RPS) providers, Stored Value Facility (SVF) providers, FinTechs, VASPs, investment firms, fund managers, family offices, collective investment funds, wealth management firms and asset management companies, brokerage dealers and other regulated entities across all stages of the compliance lifecycle, including licensing readiness, framework implementation, regulatory audits, pre-inspection reviews and ongoing compliance support.
Regulatory health checks, gap assessments and inspection readiness
BDO UAE offers end-to-end advisory, assurance and remediation services across the regulatory compliance lifecycle. Our key services include:
- Stored Value Facility (SVF) and Retail Payment Service (RPS) Providers Independent Assessment
- Corporate Governance & Board Effectiveness Review
- Compliance Policies, Procedures & Control Framework Development
- Regulatory Compliance Review & Gap Assessment
- Regulatory Health Check & Compliance Maturity Assessment
- Pre-Launch Readiness Review
- Regulatory Remediation & Programme Management Support
- Regulatory Inspection, Supervisory Examination & Skilled Person Review Readiness
- Regulatory Change Management & Compliance Impact Assessment
- Compliance Framework Design & Implementation
- Compliance Monitoring Programme Development & Independent Testing
- Regulatory Reporting Framework Review
- Compliance Function Effectiveness Review
- Compliance Co-Sourcing & Resource Augmentation
- Regulatory Training & Capability Building
- Regulatory Submission & Transmittal Letter Reviews
- Conduct of Business (COB/COBS) Compliance Reviews
- Customer and Third-Party Due Diligence Process Reviews
- Independent Compliance Monitorship Services
Why BDO UAE?
Our services are tailored to each organisation’s regulatory obligations, business model and risk profile. We combine local regulatory expertise with global best practices to deliver practical and sustainable solutions that strengthen governance, enhance compliance effectiveness and support regulatory readiness. We work collaboratively with our clients to help them navigate regulatory complexity, respond to evolving supervisory expectations and build resilient compliance frameworks that support long-term business growth and operational excellence.
