Dubai Finance (DOF) and PwC Academy, the talent and skills development branch of PwC Middle East, one of the renowned Big Four consulting firms globally, have forged a strategic alliance by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce a new certification for tax professionals. This certification caters specifically to tax professionals employed by Dubai government entities.
The agreement was officially signed by His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, director general of DOF, alongside Samar Sayegh, PwC partner and PwC Academy Middle East leader.
What is the Tax Professional Certificate?
The new Tax Professional Certificate will be awarded to individuals who participate in a specialized professional training program established under this initiative. This program comprises extensive modules covering the UAE’s value-added tax (VAT) and Corporate Tax, and is available in both Arabic and English. Additionally, the certificate includes two tax diplomas conferred by the UK’s Association of Tax Technicians (ATT-UK) for UAE VAT and UAE Corporate Tax (CT), facilitated by PwC Academy.
Balancing public and private interests
His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh remarked: “The tax system in the UAE is founded on the best international practices and principles, taking into account the country’s distinctive financial and business environments. DOF plays a crucial role in nurturing and advancing this ecosystem, adhering to standards that ensure a tangible balance between public interests and the needs of the private sector. This approach guarantees that both sectors flourish in harmony, thus contributing to the overall economic and social welfare.”
Enhancing government operations
His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, commissioner for Tax Affairs in the Government of Dubai, elaborated: “Tax revenues play a vital role, both directly and indirectly, in the development of economic sectors by enhancing governmental operations. DOF has implemented this tax certificate in response to the government’s training requirements. It encompasses all relevant tax knowledge concerning value-added tax and corporate tax within the nation. Delivered by PwC Academy, this certification includes diplomas from ATT-UK. This initiative is aimed at improving work efficiency and achieving better outcomes within the advanced tax framework of the UAE.”
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Empowering UAE nationals
Samar Sayegh, PwC partner and PwC Academy Middle East leader, stated: “This unique partnership with the Department of Finance (DOF) Dubai represents a significant milestone in our commitment to empowering UAE nationals with the expertise and tools necessary to navigate a dynamic and evolving regulatory environment. Our tax upskilling solutions are tailored to provide professionals with a comprehensive understanding of global standards and best practices, while adapting these insights to the specific context of regional regulations. By fostering advanced knowledge and practical skills, this program will not only expedite career advancement for participants but also help build a highly skilled workforce that propels the UAE’s economic transformation and supports its vision for sustainable growth.”
Rigorous examination requirements
Ms. Amna Salem Al Jabri, director of the Financial Studies Division at DOF, emphasized: “DOF has invested considerable effort in developing this groundbreaking program, which is the first of its kind, not only in the UAE but also in the Arab world. Attaining this professional tax certificate requires passing a rigorous final examination conducted by the PwC Academy for participants, highlighting the Dubai Government’s dedication to qualifying competent personnel in tax affairs across various government entities.”
The program designed for acquiring the professional tax certificates spans 18 training days, totaling 108 training hours.
