Audit Retention Policy Template for United Arab Emirates

A comprehensive internal policy document that establishes guidelines and procedures for the retention and disposal of business records in compliance with UAE federal and emirate-level regulations. The policy outlines specific retention periods for various types of records, storage requirements, access controls, and disposal procedures while ensuring compliance with UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2015, VAT legislation, anti-money laundering requirements, and other relevant regulations. It provides clear guidance on both physical and electronic record management, addressing the needs of different business units while maintaining regulatory compliance.

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What is a Audit Retention Policy?

This Audit Retention Policy is essential for organizations operating in the UAE to ensure compliance with federal and emirate-level regulatory requirements while maintaining effective business operations. The policy addresses the requirements set forth in various UAE regulations, including the Commercial Companies Law, VAT legislation, and anti-money laundering regulations, which mandate specific retention periods for different types of business records. It provides comprehensive guidance on managing both physical and electronic records, establishing retention schedules, implementing security measures, and executing proper disposal procedures. The document is particularly crucial given the UAE's evolving regulatory landscape and the increasing focus on corporate governance and compliance. This Audit Retention Policy serves as a foundational document for risk management and regulatory compliance, helping organizations avoid penalties while maintaining efficient record-keeping practices.

What sections should be included in a Audit Retention Policy?

1. Purpose and Scope: Defines the objective of the policy and its application across the organization

2. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the policy including types of records, retention periods, and responsible parties

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework: Overview of applicable UAE laws and regulations governing record retention

4. Roles and Responsibilities: Defines responsibilities of management, employees, IT department, and audit team in maintaining records

5. Record Classification: Categories of records and their respective retention requirements

6. Retention Periods: Specific timeframes for maintaining different types of records based on legal requirements and business needs

7. Storage and Protection: Requirements for secure storage of both physical and electronic records

8. Access Controls: Procedures for accessing archived records and maintaining confidentiality

9. Disposal Procedures: Methods for secure destruction or deletion of records after retention period expires

10. Policy Compliance: Monitoring and enforcement procedures for policy compliance

11. Review and Updates: Process for periodic review and modification of the policy

What sections are optional to include in a Audit Retention Policy?

1. Industry-Specific Requirements: Additional requirements for specific sectors (e.g., healthcare, financial services) - include if organization operates in regulated industry

2. International Operations: Additional requirements for cross-border operations - include if organization operates internationally

3. Disaster Recovery: Procedures for protecting and recovering records in case of disasters - include for organizations with critical data requirements

4. Electronic Signature Policy: Guidelines for use and retention of electronic signatures - include if organization uses digital signing

5. Cloud Storage Guidelines: Specific requirements for cloud-based storage - include if organization uses cloud services

6. Legal Hold Procedures: Process for preserving records related to litigation or investigations - include if organization has significant legal exposure

What schedules should be included in a Audit Retention Policy?

1. Schedule A - Retention Period Matrix: Detailed matrix of record types and their specific retention periods

2. Schedule B - Record Classification Guide: Detailed guide for classifying different types of records

3. Schedule C - Disposal Methods: Approved methods for disposing different types of records

4. Appendix 1 - Forms: Standard forms for record disposal requests and approvals

5. Appendix 2 - Compliance Checklist: Checklist for periodic compliance reviews

6. Appendix 3 - Legal Requirements Summary: Summary of relevant UAE laws and retention requirements

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use

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