For most UAE companies, the financial year ends on 31 December. For the finance team, that is the start of the busiest stretch of the year: closing December, closing the year, preparing for the auditors, then working with them on site. With UAE corporate tax now in place, the tax return follows within nine months of the year end, which adds more work to the same months.
During those weeks, finance staff often arrive early, eat at their desks and stay late. The pantry cannot fix the workload, but it can make the long days easier. This guide shows how.
When the pressure hits
The timing depends on your year end and your auditors, but for a 31 December year end it usually looks like this:
- First working days of January: December month-end close.
- January to February: annual close, reconciliations and audit preparation.
- February to April: auditors on site or working remotely with the team.
- Later in the year: corporate tax return preparation.
Mark these weeks in the pantry plan the same way you would mark a big event.
Late-day food that actually helps
The problem in close weeks is not breakfast, it is the gap between 5 pm and 9 pm. Plan for it:
- Proper food, not just biscuits. Instant soups, wraps and ready meals work at a desk. See the desk lunch guide.
- Protein for long days. Nuts, protein bars and yogurt keep people going. The protein snacks guide has a list, and nuts and seeds are the easiest option.
- Fruit within reach. A bowl on the finance floor, not just in the pantry. See fruit and cut veggies.
- Low-sugar options so the afternoon does not end in a crash. See low-sugar treats.
For the busiest nights, order a team dinner rather than relying on snacks.
Coffee that lasts the evening
Close weeks run on coffee, but four espressos after 6 pm help nobody sleep before the next long day:
- Keep the coffee machine clean and stocked; it gets far more use than usual. See coffee and coffee machines.
- Offer decaf and low-caffeine options for the evening. The decaf guide explains the choices.
- Add herbal teas for late in the day.
- Keep water on every desk; people forget to drink when they are focused.
Looking after the auditors
External auditors often spend days or weeks in a meeting room. Treat them as guests:
- Water and glasses in the room every morning.
- Coffee and tea offered on arrival, or a small station in the room.
- A light lunch on long on-site days, especially if the office is far from food options.
The boardroom beverages guide covers meeting-room basics, and the corporate breakfast guide helps for early kick-off meetings.
Keep it inside the budget
Extra food in close weeks adds up. A few rules keep it under control:
- Set a close-season budget per head, separate from the regular pantry, using the cost per employee guide as a starting point.
- Order for the people actually working late, not the whole office.
- Keep proper tax invoices. The finance team will check them anyway. The VAT on staff refreshments guide and the corporate tax guide explain how staff refreshments are treated.
Industry notes
- Banks and financial services have regulatory reporting on top of the annual close; see the banks and financial services guide and our banks and financial services page.
- Fintech companies often close the year while also raising funds or preparing for licence reviews; see the fintech guide and our fintech page.
- Family offices consolidate several entities and investments at year end; see the family offices guide and our family offices page.
The short version
- Mark close and audit weeks in the pantry plan like a big event.
- Plan for the 5 pm to 9 pm gap with proper food and protein.
- Offer decaf, herbal tea and water for the evening.
- Treat auditors as guests: water, coffee and a light lunch.
- Set a separate close-season budget and keep proper invoices.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is year-end close for most UAE companies? Most UAE companies have a 31 December year end, so the annual close and audit preparation usually run from January to February, with auditors working with the team from February to April.
What food works best for finance teams working late? Food that can be eaten at a desk and keeps people going: soups, wraps and ready meals, nuts and protein snacks, fruit and low-sugar options. For the busiest nights, order a team dinner.
Should we limit coffee in the evening? Keep coffee available, but add decaf, low-caffeine drinks and herbal teas so people can choose something that will not affect their sleep before the next long day.
What should we provide for external auditors on site? Water and glasses in their room each morning, coffee and tea on arrival, and a light lunch on long on-site days.
How do we stop close-season food from blowing the budget? Set a separate per-head budget for close weeks, order for the people actually working late, and keep proper tax invoices for every order.
Can My Healthy Office deliver extra stock for close weeks? Yes. You can add extra items to your regular order for specific weeks and return to the normal order afterwards.
