Essence Accounting provides fully managed payroll outsourcing in UAE and Dubai. We handle WPS salary processing, payslips, end-of-service gratuity calculations under Article 51, DEWS compliance, and MOHRE reporting — so you stay 100% compliant while freeing your team to focus on what matters.
Quick Answer: Essence Accounting offers WPS-compliant payroll outsourcing in UAE from AED 599/month (up to 10 employees). Services include monthly payroll processing, payslip generation, end-of-service gratuity accruals under Article 51 of UAE Labour Law, DEWS management, annual leave tracking, and MOHRE reporting. FTA-approved firm — TAN 30006266. Get a free quote today →
WPS-compliant. From AED 599/month. Response within 30 minutes.
Payroll outsourcing in UAE means engaging a specialist provider to manage your entire payroll function on a monthly basis — from gross salary calculation and WPS file generation through to payslip delivery, end-of-service gratuity accruals, annual leave tracking, and MOHRE compliance reporting.
Managing payroll in the UAE involves navigating multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously: the Wages Protection System (WPS) administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), end-of-service gratuity rules under Article 51 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, DEWS (Daman Expat Workmen Scheme) requirements for applicable entities, annual leave entitlements, and the strict monthly salary deadlines that carry automatic penalties for non-compliance.
For UAE businesses — from a 3-person start-up to a 300-employee enterprise — outsourcing payroll eliminates the risk of regulatory errors, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures every salary cycle is processed accurately and on time.
Every Essence Accounting payroll outsourcing engagement covers the full payroll cycle — from data input through to WPS filing and accounting integration. No add-ons, no surprises.
We generate your monthly Salaries Information File (SIF) in the exact format required by MOHRE and your WPS-approved bank or exchange house. Every salary cycle is submitted before the MOHRE deadline, keeping your establishment compliant and avoiding fines or work permit bans.
Each employee receives a detailed, professional payslip each month showing gross salary, allowances (housing, transport, mobile), overtime, deductions, and net pay. Payslips can be distributed digitally via email or through a secure portal, and are formatted to be accepted by UAE banks for salary certificate purposes.
We calculate and accrue end-of-service gratuity monthly in strict compliance with Article 51 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The 21-day formula applies for the first five years, rising to 30 days per year thereafter, based on last drawn basic salary. Accurate monthly accruals prevent year-end liability surprises.
For DIFC-based entities and other employers enrolled in the Daman Expat Workmen Scheme, we manage monthly DEWS contribution calculations, deductions, and reconciliations in accordance with the applicable DIFC Employment Law provisions and savings plan rules. We also advise on the transition from traditional gratuity to DEWS where applicable.
We maintain accurate leave balance records for every employee, updated monthly. UAE Labour Law entitles employees to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year after the first year (2 days per month in the first year). On termination or resignation, we calculate the correct leave encashment amount to be included in the final settlement.
We manage the payroll of new employees from their first partial month and calculate full and final settlements for leavers — including outstanding salary, notice period pay, accrued leave encashment, and gratuity. All final settlement calculations are prepared with reference to the employee's contract terms and applicable UAE Labour Law provisions.
We calculate overtime pay in accordance with UAE Labour Law, which mandates a 25% premium for overtime on normal days and a 50% premium for overtime on rest days. All allowances — housing, transport, school fees, mobile, and others specified in employment contracts — are managed, tracked, and correctly reflected in each payroll cycle.
Each payroll run is accompanied by a detailed payroll journal for integration into your accounting system (Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books, or others). Salary costs, gratuity accruals, employer payroll provisions, and WPS transfers are all correctly posted, ensuring your financial statements reflect accurate payroll liabilities at all times.
We provide monthly payroll summary reports covering total salary cost, headcount movement, gratuity liability balance, leave encashment accruals, and department-level cost breakdowns. These reports integrate directly with your management accounts and are formatted for review by your finance team, bank, or external auditor.
Payroll processing in UAE is not just a monthly administrative task — it is a legal obligation with real financial penalties. A single WPS compliance error can result in a ban on new work permits. A miscalculated gratuity settlement can expose your business to a MOHRE dispute. An incorrect leave encashment triggers a labour complaint.
The cost of getting payroll wrong in UAE consistently exceeds the cost of outsourcing it. Beyond penalty avoidance, businesses that outsource payroll to Essence Accounting typically save 50–70% compared to maintaining an in-house payroll officer when total employment costs are factored in.
Discuss Your Payroll NeedsEvery salary cycle is submitted to WPS before the MOHRE deadline. We monitor regulatory changes and update your payroll processes automatically — no compliance gaps.
A dedicated UAE payroll officer costs AED 5,000–8,000/month in salary alone, plus visa, insurance, and payroll software. Our packages start from AED 599/month.
You get a team of UAE payroll experts, not a single point of failure. Our staff are trained in MOHRE regulations, UAE Labour Law, and WPS compliance.
Whether you hire 2 employees or 200 in a year, our payroll service scales instantly. No need to hire additional payroll staff as your headcount grows.
Payroll data is sensitive. Our systems are secure and access-controlled. We sign strict confidentiality agreements and handle employee salary information with the highest discretion.
Payroll journals, gratuity accruals, and WPS transfer records are all pushed directly into your accounting system each month — no manual re-entry.
Fixed monthly fees. No hidden charges. All packages include WPS processing, payslips, gratuity accruals, and leave tracking.
Up to 10 Employees
Ideal for start-ups, small businesses & sole traders in UAE
Up to 30 Employees
For growing SMEs & established UAE businesses
30+ Employees
For large businesses, multi-entity groups & free zone companies
All prices are indicative. Final fee depends on employee count, payroll complexity, and entity type. Contact us for a customised quote.
From onboarding to your first fully managed payroll run in as little as 3–5 business days.
We begin with a no-obligation call to understand your headcount, payroll structure, current WPS arrangement, free zone or mainland status, and any specific compliance requirements (DEWS, multi-currency salary components, etc.). We then provide a fixed-fee proposal. No surprises.
We collect employee master data — full names, Emirates IDs, passport details, salary structures (basic, housing allowance, transport, other allowances), joining dates, existing leave balances, bank account details, and employment contract terms. For clients switching from an existing payroll provider, we migrate historical gratuity and leave accruals. Onboarding typically completes within 3–5 business days.
Each month, you share your attendance data, any variable components (overtime hours, commissions, deductions), and joiner/leaver information with our team. We calculate net salaries, generate your WPS SIF file, prepare individual payslips, update gratuity accruals and leave balances, and deliver all outputs — including the payroll accounting journal — before your agreed cut-off date.
You review and approve the payroll summary. Once approved, we submit the WPS file to your bank or exchange house, distribute payslips to employees, and deliver your monthly payroll report with a full cost breakdown, gratuity balance update, and leave liability position. All records are maintained in a structured, MOHRE-audit-ready format throughout the engagement.
The Wages Protection System is an electronic salary transfer system administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). All UAE mainland private sector employers are legally required to pay salaries through WPS-approved financial institutions. Payments must be made within 10 days of the salary due date specified in the employment contract, and no later than the end of the working month.
Non-compliance triggers automatic consequences including a ban on new work permit issuance, downgrading of the employer's MOHRE compliance category, and financial penalties. Essence Accounting generates your SIF (Salaries Information File) in the exact bank-required format every single month — on time, every time.
Under Article 51 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, every employee who completes one year or more of continuous service is entitled to an end-of-service gratuity on termination or resignation. The formula is: 21 days of basic salary for each year of the first 5 years, and 30 days of basic salary for each year beyond 5 years. Gratuity is calculated on the last drawn basic salary, excluding all allowances.
Essence Accounting accrues gratuity monthly for every employee, maintaining a running liability balance that is updated each time an employee joins, leaves, or receives a salary increase. This ensures your financial statements accurately reflect your gratuity obligation at all times, and protects you from underpayment disputes.
Many UAE businesses underestimate their total gratuity liability because they only think about it when an employee leaves. With Essence Accounting managing your payroll, every monthly report includes your updated total gratuity liability balance — so you always know exactly what you owe your workforce, and can plan cash flow accordingly.
“We had a WPS non-compliance warning from MOHRE before we engaged Essence. Since outsourcing our payroll to them, every salary cycle runs on time, the WPS file is perfect, and our MOHRE status is back to Category A. Genuinely removed the biggest compliance headache from our business.”
“As a DMCC free zone company, our payroll has some nuances. Essence handles everything correctly — DMCC employment terms, gratuity accruals, allowances. The monthly payroll reports are detailed and our accountant loves the journal entries. Highly recommend to any Dubai business.”
“We started with 6 employees and now have 45. Essence scaled our payroll outsourcing seamlessly as we grew. The gratuity tracking alone is worth it — when we had our first senior leaver, their calculation was exact to the dirham. No disputes, no stress.”
Join 500+ UAE businesses that trust Essence Accounting for fully managed, WPS-compliant payroll outsourcing. From AED 599/month. Free consultation. Response within 30 minutes.
Essence Accounting and Bookkeeping Co. L.L.C — FTA Approved Tax Agency, TAN 30006266 — Business Bay, Dubai
