DIFC Academy Graduates First Cohort of 28 Tax Professionals under the UAE Corporate Tax Diploma Programme

Delivered in collaboration with PwC’s Academy Middle East, the globally recognised, certified diploma programme equipped participants with comprehensive knowledge of the new UAE Federal Corporate Tax (CT) Law.

DIFC Academy, the education centre of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, recently celebrated the success of the first cohort of the UAE Corporate Tax Diploma Programme, delivered in collaboration with PwC’s Academy, the talent and skills development business of PwC Middle East.

A graduation ceremony was held recently to honour the 28 finance, legal and tax professionals from across sectors, who extensively studied the UAE Federal Corporate Tax (CT) Law that came into effect in the UAE on 1 June 2023. Offered at the DIFC Academy, the first class of the globally recognised diploma programme comprised 13 nationalities, 46 per cent of whom were female, reflecting the global appeal and inclusive nature of the Academy’s programmes. The participants followed a condensed, one-month programme that equipped them to guide companies in complying with the new UAE corporate tax requirements.

The diversity of the participants also made for a dynamic and engaging learning environment, with participants benefitting from meaningful networking opportunities with practitioners from varied backgrounds. Some participants from this cohort have already passed the Final Certificate Examination provided by ATT-UK to demonstrate their levels of competence in the new legislation.

In his keynote speech, Christian Kunz, Chief Strategy, Innovation & Ventures Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “The graduation of the first cohort of the UAE Corporate Tax Diploma programme marks a significant milestone for the DIFC Academy as it demonstrates our commitment to providing industry-relevant education to broaden the skills of the financial services community. Through our collaboration with PwC’s Academy, finance professionals have gained the practical knowledge and skills to successfully ensure that all practices, systems, and processes of their respective companies comply with the new tax regime. I extend my congratulations to all the graduates and look forward to welcoming new participants in our upcoming programmes.”

Taimur Ali Mir, PwC Partner and Head of Qualifications, said: “Our collaboration with DIFC Academy further strengthens our commitment to address the evolving taxation needs of our clients across the region. Congratulations to the first cohort of graduates and we look forward to empowering the financial workforce and enabling the smooth implementation of Corporate Tax in the UAE.”

Maryke Luijendijk, Head of the DIFC Academy, welcomed the graduates and guests to the graduation ceremony, which was also attended by senior management teams from both the DIFC Academy and PwC’s Academy. Zeina Fayed, PwC’s Business Development Manager, thanked the students for their participation and determination to complete the course and wished them the best for their final certification exams.

The UAE Corporate Tax Diploma Programme is designed to expand the technical knowledge of those working in the corporate tax sector. It equips finance and taxation professionals with an in-depth understanding and comprehensive knowledge of the new regulations, legislation requirements, and the practical application of the newly introduced tax regime. The course also explains how to calculate corporate tax liabilities and comply with payment and filing obligations.

In line with its commitment to providing high-quality and globally recognised certification programmes to build the professional skills and expertise of a broad range of practitioners across the financial services spectrum, the DIFC Academy became the first institution to collaborate with PwC’s Academy to deliver this accredited certification. The diploma examination is approved by the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA).