James Mathew, CEO & Managing Partner, UHY JAMES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS LLC.
In fast-growing economies, success is often measured by speed, by how quickly businesses can enter markets, scale operations, and capture opportunity. But beneath every sustainable enterprise lies a quieter foundation: governance, compliance, and trust. These are the elements that rarely make headlines, yet determine whether businesses endure or fall apart over time. In the UAE, a country that has transformed itself into a global business hub within a single generation, this foundation has become more important than ever. As the regulatory environment matures and investor expectations rise, businesses increasingly need advisors who understand not just numbers, but the systems, controls, and judgment that keep organisations resilient over time. This is where UHY James Chartered Accountants LLC has carved its place, not as a transactional service provider, but as a long-term partner to businesses navigating complexity in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
A Journey Shaped by Experience
At the core of UHY James’s remarkable growth lies the strategic leadership of its CEO and Managing Partner, James Mathew. He arrived in the UAE as a qualified Chartered Accountant and began his career with a mid-tier accounting firm in 1992. Over the next few years, he worked closely with clients, advising them on business strategies and identifying internal control weaknesses, gaining valuable exposure to the operational realities of growing organisations. Five years later, he made a bold leap into entrepreneurship by joining Horwath Mak, now known as Crowe Mak. Starting as a Partner, Mathew worked his way up to become Senior Partner and Group CEO for the UAE and Oman operations. Eventually, he was also elected to the Global Board of Crowe for two consecutive terms in 2017 and 2018.
In December 2019, the firm transitioned to UHY James Chartered Accountants, becoming an independent member firm of UHY International, with a team of 80 professionals and five partners. “Since 2019, UHY James Chartered Accountants has grown into a team of 200 + financial experts, 17 Partners & Directors, catering to hundreds of clients. Operating in 100+ countries across 330 business centers, UHY International is among the top 20 Accounting Networks in the world,” asserts Mathew.
With a strong local presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Fujairah, and as registered auditors of reputed financial free zones including SCA, DIFC, and ADGM, UHY James continues to strengthen its stance and make a meaningful difference in the UAE business landscape.
Supporting Businesses in a Shifting Regulatory Environment
As the UAE’s economy has evolved, so too has its global standing. Today, the country ranks seventh globally in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking and first in the MENA region, while consistently maintaining a strong position on the Ease of Doing Business Index. This progress has been driven by economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure, factors that continue to attract multinational companies and family offices to Dubai and the wider UAE.
Since commencing operations in the late 1990s, UHY James has closely witnessed the UAE strengthening its compliance regime while continuing to attract global investors. The introduction of VAT, Economic Substance Regulations, Corporate Tax, and evolving regulatory requirements has further elevated investor interest in the country. As business models become more complex and digitally driven, risk management has moved from being optional to essential. With compliance expectations rising and organisational structures becoming more agile, UHY James supports clients through an integrated range of services, including audit and internal audit, taxation, risk consulting, strategy and transformation, company incorporation, trademark registration, accounting and bookkeeping, corporate finance, AML compliance, and RERA. Areas such as forensic audit and risk management frameworks can be particularly demanding for organisations, and the firm works closely with clients to address them as part of its advisory support. Together, these capabilities help businesses navigate evolving business dynamics and accelerate growth. Over the last 30 years, UHY James has supported more than 1,500 businesses at different stages of their lifecycle.
Building Trust through Expertise and Innovation
In a consultancy and financial advisory market crowded with service providers, what has consistently set UHY James apart is its emphasis on trust and relevance. Rather than relying on standardised frameworks, the firm delivers tailor-made solutions shaped around the specific needs of each business. This commitment to personalised engagement has helped UHY James build credibility within the UAE business community, enabling it to scale steadily in the advisory space while maintaining long-term client relationships.
The firm’s leadership team brings together more than 200 years of combined expertise, working closely with organisations to help them meet strategic, regulatory, and compliance objectives. Be it small and medium enterprises, multinational companies, or family businesses, UHY James supports clients through complexity at every stage of their journey. Innovation fits naturally into this approach. As Mathew explains, “Innovation is embedded in the DNA of our organizational culture. As a team, we are always exploring avenues to raise the bar in innovating our business strategies and processes by using AI, cloud systems & more.”
“Our ethos is rooted in embracing a knowledge-sharing approach towards our clients and our community to empower their insights and enable informed decision-making. Simply put, we have received the implicit trust of our clients and built lasting relationships spanning decades, as our intent to drive compliance alongside growth has been imperative in shaping our clients’ successes,” he further adds.
Lessons Forged in Times of Testing
Operating in a market as dynamic as the UAE inevitably brings challenges. And, UHY James had to navigate several hurdles along the way to establish itself as a credible, independent player in the region’s competitive landscape. In December 2019, after nearly 25 years with a top-10 global accounting network, the firm transitioned to UHY James Chartered Accountants LLC as an independent member firm of UHY International. The timing, in hindsight, could not have been more testing. Barely a month after the transition, the UAE reported its first COVID-19 case. Revenues dipped, operations shifted overnight to remote models, and uncertainty loomed large—financially, emotionally, and operationally.
For UHY James, the challenge was twofold—navigating a global crisis while simultaneously establishing a new brand identity in a highly competitive advisory market. By 2021, client size was impacted as a result of the brand transition, and staff retention became a critical priority. The firm responded by dedicating 70 percent of its effort to ensuring operational efficiency while showing equal commitment towards strategy building, networking, and establishing brand resonance. “I believe learning the lessons, working with what we can, and scaling strategically is helpful in converting setbacks into opportunities. Also, hiring right can be a game-changer when it comes to facing challenges and recalibrating strategies,” affirms Mathew.
Between 2022 and 2025, the firm navigated multiple hurdles to win the trust of regulators and bankers. The firm also overcame legacy issues from the previous UHY firm association and leveraged documentation from the UHY International Chairman to establish its credibility in the UAE’s banking and regulatory landscape. Sharpening business strategy, responding to external demands, and building on internal strengths consistently helped the firm move forward. “As a team, we have curated a process that is designed in the best interest of our clients and team members, and this approach helps us stay on top of the game,” says Mathew.
A Culture Built on Collaboration
Throughout the journey, the firm’s strength has come from its people. Today, UHY James comprises more than 200 professionals, supported by a leadership team of 17 Partners and Directors who collectively bring over 200 years of experience. But what sets the firm apart isn’t just the depth of expertise, but the deliberate culture built around it. The organization prioritizes leadership development from within, investing in knowledge-intensive training programs designed to elevate both technical and leadership capabilities across the team. Collaboration is woven into the DNA of its service delivery. “A collaborative approach defines our service delivery—the team joins forces to handhold businesses in shaping their growth story. Learning and knowledge-sharing are embedded in our organizational culture, and that’s what steers the way forward,” opines Mathew.
Building Enduring Impact across the Gulf
Looking ahead, UHY James is focused on strengthening its presence across the GCC as Gulf countries accelerate regulatory reforms and position themselves as investor-friendly markets. With over three decades of advisory expertise, the firm is uniquely positioned to help businesses as they enter new markets and navigate local regulatory requirements. As compliance regimes tighten and the region attracts greater international investment, UHY James sees an opportunity to play a more central role in supporting organizations through this transformation. The firm’s deep knowledge of regional dynamics, combined with its proven track record in the UAE, positions it as a trusted partner for businesses seeking guidance through regulatory complexity during regional expansion and market entry. In a region that rewards speed but values trust, the firm continues to prove that enduring success is built on consistency, credibility, and a relentless commitment to doing things right.