The Department of Finance (DOF) of the Government of Dubai announced a strategic partnership agreement with Deloitte to enable the Government of Dubai to implement International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). DOF signed the agreement with Deloitte, the world’s largest professional services firm, as part of its continuous improvement of financial reporting across the Government of Dubai, enabling effective decision-making and delivering to DOF’s Strategic Plan 2017-2021 on the adoption of international accounting standards.

The strategic partnership agreement was signed by Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Saleh, Director General of DOF, and Maher Al-Khalil, Member of the Board of Directors at Deloitte Middle East and Managing Partner of Consulting Operations services in the region. DOF emphasized that it embarked on the implementation phase of IPSAS in close collaboration with the finance leadership of the Government of Dubai entities and in partnership with the Deloitte specialists.

Director General Al-Saleh highlighted the Government of Dubai’s emphasis on promoting further transparency and reliability, contributing to sustainable government financial effectiveness. This is in alignment with Law No. 1 of 2016 on Dubai Government Financial Regulation and in line with Dubai Strategic Plan 2021, reinforcing its contribution as a leading pillar in government operations based on competency, accountability and creativity, recognizing and commending the high degree of collaboration with governmental entities during the assessment and planning phases of the program.

Jamal Hamed Al Mari, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector, DOF, stated that the IPSAS implementation phase is based on clear Government directives to further enhance the quality and completeness of financial reporting. The leads to financial reporting at the highest quality levels, in accordance with relevant international standards, and as stipulated by the 2016 Law No. 1 on Dubai Government Financial Regulation.

Mohammed Jallad, Audit Partner at Deloitte in the Middle East, explained that accrual accounting IPSAS standards are the most international recognized and widespread in the government and public sector. He also stressed that the continuous efforts of governments worldwide to implement IPSAS enhances global cooperation and allows for constructive comparison of financial performance. In the context of Dubai, this contributes to further improving government financial management for the Emirate.

During the signing ceremony, participants expressed their confidence in completing the implementation according to schedule, positioning Government of Dubai as a leader, preparing comprehensive financial reports in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards within an ambitious timeframe.