A&A Associate

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an audit associate at SNR Auditing, an audit firm in Dubai, UAE.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

We hired them as accounting associates. We’ve outsourced some of our services to them.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide accounting services to many of our clients. Their responsibilities include bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial planning. They also serve as management consultants and provide business incorporation and certification services. In doing so, they provide several different reports that cover their accounting visibility.

Their team also looks after the other cabinet regulations and all the law enforcement in UAE.

What is the team composition?

I’ve personally had contact with 25 people, including the CEO.

How did you come to work with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

They were referred by one of our directors. He had worked with them previously.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $75,000 per year (approximately $300,000 in total).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2017 and our partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Their tax and accounting teams are great. They’ve been very helpful. They finalize the accounts effectively and comply with tax laws.

How did A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a very good management team. The way they organize everything and work with clients is amazing. They always keep their word and complete their work within the scheduled timeframe. They keep us up to date on regulations and respond to queries very quickly.

We have monthly meetings with them. It used to be in-person and now we meet via Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is proactive and well-informed. They have a very good track record and are always up-to-date on new regulations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

So far, everything has gone well. They don’t need to improve anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’d be best if you speak directly to them in detail about what your requirements are. They’ll be able to give you the best services. They’ll be able to guide you better.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director at DAR ALWAAD SHIPPING LLC, a logistics and shipping company. We do import and exports as well as local customs clearance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

We needed an accounting and legal services provider. I was dealing with someone else but needed a new partner because they were making a lot of mistakes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

A and A does all of our company related legal advice, internal auditing, VAT registration, and VAT submission quarterly, as well as all of my bookkeeping and accounting. They handle any issues with any department.

What is the team composition?

They have 18-20 staff members. The managing director assisted and organized one meeting with his PA. Whatever it is I needed, A and A has the resources to cover it.

How did you come to work with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

I had a meeting with the managing director who promised they could manage and control the business without any mistakes. I decided to give them a try.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend 8,000 Rands (approximately $530 USD) per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2013 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Over the last seven years, I’ve been happy with their service. There are no issues. Everything is going smoothly and perfectly. A and A keeps our accounts clean and perfect.

How did A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C perform from a project management standpoint?

They deliver everything on time. Communication is great. We communicate via phone and email. They are great with time management.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In seven years, we’ve not had any issues. I haven’t had to pay any extra. I’m so happy with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no complaints. There’s no need to call the managing director. If you just talk to the staff, they handle it. We can prepare everything in advance. There’s no time wasted. I have no complaints.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They are so transparent. There’s nothing to hide. The managing director gives good advice on how to make more profit. I don’t pay for that but he gives it to me.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an account manager at INSASOFT, a development firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

We needed help with accounting and bookkeeping services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They do our accounting and bookkeeping services. They provide help twice a month when they visit our office to complete the work.

What is the team composition?

There’s one person.

How did you come to work with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

We chose them because their rates are very low and their service is very good. . They sent a proposal and mentioned visiting our office to complete the work. I’ve even received complimentary tax filing.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost is around $500/month, or around $5,500 so far. It has been very cheap overall.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2019 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’re satisfied with all of the services that they have provided to us.

How did A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is very good. They provide monthly reports with the budget, the profit and loss, cashflow, etc.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very friendly and the cost is low. Sometimes they provide more information to help us make a decision when we develop something or change our work query. They will address the changes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing. I’m okay with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If someone is going to work with them, they should provide the supporting documents on time. Then they will be able to submit the reports on time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the operations manager for Vega Gulf.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with A and A Associate LLC?

We needed to have accounting services done.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They handle our day-to-day bookkeeping and accounting. They also do auditing. 

What is the team composition?

I work with two people.

How did you come to work with A and A Associate LLC?

I found them online. We decided to try working with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $10,000 - $49,999.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together around July 2019, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

They’ve been flexible. I’m satisfied with their work.

How did A and A Associate LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

They provide hard documents, and backups, which can be accessed online. They’re available and work in a timely manner.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very responsible. The team is experienced and educated. This experience is better than I have had with previous vendors.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Communication could be better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Co-Founder, Director of Strategies of Beetle and Goliath, a marketing boutique agency. A market changer, that started almost 2 years back with esteemed clients such as Uber Eats, NFPC - Lacnor and Oasis, Barilla, Dole, Britannia among others.

We are not a typical marketing agency, we are an extended team of the client partner as we are business-driven, focused on strategic and tactical KPI's and ROIs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

Annual Retainers covering the following:

1. Updating Day To Day Transactions
2. Sales Purchase
3. General Monthly Accounting Reports
4. Sales Accounts
5. Receivable Accounts
6. Payable Bank Reconciliation
7. Quarterly Management Reports
8. Balance Sheet
9. Income Statement
10. Cash Flow Statement

What were your goals for this engagement?

As a thriving business, we want to ensure that we get the accounting fundamentals right, so we can maximize cash flow, continuously improve our operational costs as we want to focus on where it matters. Auditing is also a must for our line of business, and of course, we want to do the VAT filing right.

SOLUTION

How did you select A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

We found them through a referral.

Describe the engagement in detail.

The designated accountant visits us once a week. He sits with our Admin Head and Project Implementation to check daily transactions:

• sales transaction
• purchases
• monthly accounting reports
• the sales report
• accounts receivable and payable and bank reconciliation

Quarterly, the following is being checked:

• balance sheet
• income statement
• cash flow statement.

Describe their billing or cost structure.

We are being billed every month, which is so much better than hiring an accountant that entails a much bigger monthly salary + visa + other government-mandated benefits.

What was the team composition?

1. 1 Accountant
2. 1 Auditor
3. 1 Client Service Handler

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the engagement that demonstrate progress or success?

After a month, as an owner, I was unloaded off the huge chunk of admin work that is way beyond my expertise, and that eats up a lot of my time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They are pretty much responsive and they are very good at mapping out actionable plans for our team to follow.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are impressive when it comes to being thorough and being knowledgeable in maximizing cash flow.

Are there any areas for improvement?

During peak season, if they could send someone who is willing to work late and during the weekend. When the action stops, that's the time our team can do admin matters.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a freelance trading company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

I needed to hire someone to provide me with accounting services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve been associated with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C for a long time and they’ve worked with me in a variety of ways. When I began my business, they helped me with some PR-related tasks and accounting-based activities. Their services also relate to banking and bookkeeping needs. We’ve kept the relationship going.

What is the team composition?

I have worked with 3–4 employees.

How did you come to work with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

I found them on Google when searching for a good accounting firm in UAE. After seeing their ad, I spoke with some friends who’ve had businesses here for a while. The most important thing with their company is how they handle their customers, the way they behave towards us, and how they understand us.

How much have you invested in them?

I’ve spent less than $5,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in February 2017 we’re still working together today.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They’ve supported me in every stage of my business, and I’m really thankful to them. They have a very good team of accountants and specialists.

How did A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C perform from a project management standpoint?

They always finish the work on time or before the deadline. I haven’t found any difficulties when it comes to scheduling.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their relationship with their customers is definitely most impressive. They have been growing and have a lot of customers, but continue to handle their clients well. They’ve tried to help us without adding a burden of price and have been very supportive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’re a good organization and I don’t have any issues.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

In my personal opinion, I would definitely suggest them as the right choice.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

AjCreations is based in Dubai. I’m a partner in the company, and I also handle the financial part.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

They’ve helped us with accounting and financial reporting.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

A and A provides monthly accounting services. They also do quarterly filing for VAT (value-added tax) and financial auditing.

What is the team composition?

We work with one person from A and A on a regular basis, and with two of them for the annual auditing.

How did you come to work with A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C?

I got a reference from a friend who’d worked with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’re spending around 25,000 UAE dirhams (approximately $6,800 USD) per year with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with A and A around March 2019, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’re really satisfied with their services. I rate them a 9/10.

How did A and A ASSOCIATE L.L.C perform from a project management standpoint?

My company is satisfied with the communication. They’re all CMA- and CA-qualified. I’m not sure about their management, but their staff is very friendly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They respond promptly, and they provide quality reports. They also provide the lowest prices in our market. They care more about the client relationship than money.