Services · Global solutions
Services in Bahrain
Accounting, VAT and compliance for companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with every return reviewed by a partner before it is filed.
Light on tax, not on records
Bahrain has no general corporate income tax, but VAT, administered by the National Bureau for Revenue (NBR), reaches almost every business, and most companies must have their annual financial statements audited. Members of large multinational groups also face Bahrain's domestic minimum top-up tax for fiscal years starting on or after 1 January 2025.
We keep the books, prepare VAT returns for filing through the NBR's portal, and produce the financial statements and group reporting your business needs, all from the same reconciled records. A partner reviews every deliverable before it reaches you.
What we cover
Each element can be taken on its own or as part of a monthly service.
Bookkeeping and accounting
Transactions posted, bank accounts reconciled and the books closed each month in your accounting software, under IFRS.
VAT
Registration, monthly or quarterly VAT returns depending on your turnover, input tax checked before it is recovered, and the records the NBR expects you to keep.
Financial statements and audit support
Annual IFRS financial statements and the schedules your auditor needs, through to signing. The audit itself is carried out by an auditor licensed in Bahrain.
Payroll accounting
Payroll journals and reconciliations of Social Insurance Organization contributions, working with your payroll provider or in-house team.
Domestic minimum top-up tax
For members of large multinational groups, the accounting data and calculations behind Bahrain's top-up tax, prepared with the group's tax advisers.
Reporting to a US parent
Monthly reporting packages in your parent's format, US GAAP adjustments where they are needed, and intercompany reconciliations.
Who it's for
Companies in Bahrain that want accurate books, timely VAT returns and accounts ready for audit.
- US companies with a subsidiary or branch in Bahrain
- Bahraini businesses registered for VAT
- Members of multinational groups within the scope of the top-up tax
- Companies preparing for their annual audit (see audit support)
How it works
The same four steps as every engagement, starting with a conversation.
A conversation
A 30-minute call with a partner about your company, its registrations and the reporting you need.
A review
We look at your VAT registration, recent returns, ledger and last audited accounts to size the work and any clean-up.
A written proposal
Scope, timetable and terms in writing, within three business days of the review.
Onboarding
Access arranged, opening balances reconciled, and one month run in parallel before we take over.
At a glance
- Authority
- The National Bureau for Revenue, for VAT and excise
- Frameworks
- IFRS, with US GAAP reporting for US parents
- Software
- QuickBooks Online, Xero or Zoho Books; ERP support for Odoo and SAP Business One
- Your data
- Documents exchanged through an encrypted client portal; access limited to your team
Also in the Gulf: our services in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Questions
Is there corporate income tax in Bahrain?
Not for most businesses. Bahrain taxes the profits of oil and gas companies, and has introduced a domestic minimum top-up tax for large multinational groups for fiscal years starting on or after 1 January 2025. Most other businesses deal with VAT, excise where it applies, and their accounting and audit obligations.
Who files our VAT returns?
Returns are submitted through the NBR's portal under your own registration, once you have approved them. We prepare and reconcile each return and keep the working papers behind it.
Can you audit our financial statements?
No. The audit is carried out by an auditor licensed in Bahrain, and the firm that keeps a company's books should not also audit them. We prepare the financial statements and schedules and work with your auditor through to signing.
What do you need from us to start?
Your commercial registration and VAT registration details, recent returns and audited accounts, access to your accounting software and bank feeds, and a contact for your NBR account. We also verify the identity of the company and its beneficial owners before work begins.
Speak with a partner
Every enquiry is read by a partner and answered within one business day. Meetings are held at our offices, at yours, or by video.