In today’s fast-paced business environment, making informed decisions isn’t optional — it’s essential. Every business owner faces countless daily choices, from pricing and staffing to cash flow and investment decisions. The difference between reactive decision-making and strategic growth often comes…
Starting a business is exciting—but also expensive. Many entrepreneurs in the UAE ask the same question at the beginning: “Should I fund my startup with my own money (equity) or take a loan?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.…
When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to focus on sales, operations, and customer service while leaving the numbers for “later.” But in reality, accounting is not just about bookkeeping—it’s the foundation of every business decision you make. At…
It’s a story we see far too often in the UAE: a company is busy, revenue is flowing in, yet the bank account is running dry. One of our recent clients, a manufacturer of custom-specified equipment for government-backed construction projects,…
Bank account reconciliation is one of those finance tasks that often gets pushed to the side—until something doesn’t add up. Yet, it’s one of the most essential practices for keeping your business finances accurate, transparent, and compliant. At Merzaai Advisory…
Opening a business bank account in the UAE can feel like navigating a maze. Many entrepreneurs face repeated rejections, even with a valid trade license. However, most of these rejections happen for predictable reasons—and you can avoid them with the…
Starting a business in the UAE is exciting. However, many new founders underestimate the complexity of VAT and corporate tax. Consequently, ignoring these obligations or handling them incorrectly can lead to fines, penalties, and unnecessary stress. By understanding the basics…
Getting your business license is just the beginning. Many entrepreneurs celebrate this milestone but then get stuck on what to do next. The first 30 days after setup are critical for laying a strong foundation. Focusing on the right priorities…
Getting a UAE business license feels exciting. However, the license is just the start. Many business owners don’t realize the hidden steps that follow. Missing them can cost time, money, and stress. Hidden Steps After Getting Your UAE Business License…
Why so many UAE SMEs get blindsided Most small and mid-sized businesses in the UAE start with high energy. Owners are focused on winning clients, delivering services, and building their reputation.But there is one silent risk many ignore — bookkeeping.…
Case Study 5: Gunboat International – When Cash Flow Flounders Despite Peak Prestige This is the fifth installment in our series on public (and once-public) companies that collapsed or entered formal insolvency despite appearing profitable on paper. In every case,…
Case Study 4: Jet Airways – When Profit on Paper Couldn’t Keep the Planes in the Air This is the fourth installment in our series on public companies that collapsed despite showing profits on paper. In each case, cash flow—not…
Case Study 3: Toys “R” Us – How Cash Flow Killed a Retail Giant This is the third installment in our series on public companies that collapsed despite showing profits on paper. In each case, cash flow—not profitability—determined survival. We…
Case Study 2: SunEdison – Growth at the Speed of Collapse This is the second post in our blog series, “The Cash Flow Trap” where we examine five well-known companies that collapsed not because they were unprofitable — but because…
5 Public Companies That Went Bankrupt While Still Showing Profits In business, the scoreboard often looks like this: revenue up, expenses down, profit healthy. On paper, everything checks out. But in the real world, it’s not paper profits that pay…
When businesses think about improving cash flow, they often look to collections, payment terms, or banking solutions. But the truth is, many cash flow issues start much earlier — at the contract negotiation table and the contract clauses related to…
From the Advisors Who’ve Worked with the World’s Best FirmsCan your accountant tell you where your profit margins are leaking?If not — they’re not your advisor.They’re your admin. And if you’re leading a business that’s growing, scaling, or even just…
You land contracts. Revenue’s up. The P&L shows a tidy profit. But you’re still chasing payments, worried about payroll, and checking the bank account every Friday. So why do profitable businesses still run out of cash? It’s one of the…
At our firm, we’ve spent the last two decades helping companies across industries unlock dormant value, correct critical blind spots, and scale with confidence. We don’t just advise — we transform. Here’s a real story from a client in the…
Learn what root cause analysis is and how UAE businesses can use it to solve recurring problems, boost efficiency, and protect profits. Don’t treat symptoms—fix the cause. 🚨 Are You Solving the Wrong Problem? Many businesses in the UAE are…
Discover essential cash management strategies for UAE businesses. Learn how to forecast cash flow, manage receivables, optimize payments, and stay tax-compliant. Why Cash Management Matters in the UAE Running a successful business in the UAE requires more than revenue growth—it…
Running a small business in the UAE comes with big responsibilities — and managing your accounting shouldn’t be one of your daily stressors. Whether you’re handling your first VAT return, struggling with cash flow, or simply need help staying compliant, outsourced…
At Merzaai Advisory & Accounting, one of the first things we do when onboarding a new client is review—and often rebuild—their Chart of Accounts (COA). Why? Because most SMEs we meet either: And the truth is:🔍 If your chart of accounts is a mess, your…
At Merzaai Advisory & Accounting, we often say:“Revenue is theory. Collections are reality.” No matter how good your sales are, if customers aren’t paying you on time—or worse, not at all—your business will feel the pinch. You’ll start missing supplier…
At Merzaai Advisory & Accounting, we often say, “Your bank balance is not your book balance—until it’s reconciled.” But few businesses truly realize the weight of that until it’s too late. Here’s a real-life case study from one of our…
When Sarah, a solopreneur running a small but growing e-commerce business, reached out to me, she thought she had a tax question. But the real issue was hiding in plain sight—inside her expense report. We got on a quick call.…
Starting a business is an exciting journey — but without proper accounting and bookkeeping, even the best business ideas can run into trouble. Whether you’re a solopreneur or running a fast-growing startup in the UAE, having your financial house in…
The UAE has long been known for its business-friendly environment—zero personal income tax, world-class infrastructure, and easy access to global markets. But with the introduction of Corporate Tax (CT) effective June 1, 2023, businesses operating in the UAE now need to pay closer…
For businesses operating in the UAE, Value Added Tax (VAT) compliance is no longer just a task for your accountant—it’s a business priority. With penalties for late or incorrect filings ranging from AED 1,000 to AED 50,000, staying organized and…
In the fast-paced UAE business environment, many companies unknowingly leave money on the table — not because of poor sales, but because of poor bookkeeping. Whether you’re a startup, freelancer, or SME, keeping your books in order isn’t just about ticking…
n today’s fast-moving business environment, financial management is no longer just about bookkeeping — it’s about enabling strategy. Whether you’re running a startup or a growing SME, strong financial oversight can make the difference between blind decision-making and strategic growth. Here’s how…
Running a business in the UAE means staying on top of your finances, and nothing is more important than accurate accounting and bookkeeping. Whether you’re a small startup or an established company, having professional accounting services ensures your business stays compliant,…
The Costly Errors We See Too Often (and How to Get It Right) Since its introduction in 2018, VAT in the UAE has become a routine part of doing business — yet we still see businesses making avoidable mistakes that…
You’re making sales. Your books are up to date. Your accountant says everything looks “fine.” So why does your cash feel tight, and your growth feel stuck? Because there’s a critical part of your business hiding in plain sight —…
Foreign exchange (FX) hedging is a critical function for corporate treasury teams, helping to mitigate currency risk and protect profitability. However, many treasury teams struggle with FX hedging due to a variety of operational, strategic, and technical challenges. By conducting…
In the realm of finance and accounting, “goodwill” is a term that carries significant weight. Traditionally, goodwill is recorded on a company’s balance sheet during an acquisition, representing the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable…
In the intricate world of investment, discerning promising opportunities amidst a sea of choices can be a daunting task. Yet, there exists a powerful metric that serves as a beacon, guiding investors towards businesses with exceptional potential: Return on Equity…
In the ever-evolving landscape of financial markets, my investment philosophy revolves around uncovering hidden gems — companies that are often overlooked or undervalued by the broader market. By diligently applying fundamental analysis and strategic foresight, I strive to identify opportunities where the intrinsic value of a business far exceeds its current market price. This pursuit is guided by two primary approaches: asset-based valuation and discounted free cash flow analysis. While asset-based valuation offers insights into companies with distressed situations, I find myself drawn more towards the discounted free cash flow method. This approach allows me to pinpoint companies with strong cash flow generation potential, positioning them for sustainable growth and higher returns. However, I recognize that the journey from generated cash flows to shareholder returns is not without obstacles. Effective capital allocation by management is key to bridging this gap. Therefore, I place significant emphasis on assessing the quality of management, their track record, and their alignment with shareholder interests. Through a combination of rigorous analysis, prudent decision-making, and a focus on long-term value creation, I aim to unlock opportunities that deliver meaningful returns for my clients while mitigating downside risk.
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