Accounting and bookkeeping in the Cayman Islands

A Cayman company still has to keep records, and someone has to produce statements from them. For a founder living elsewhere, accounting here usually means a bookkeeper or accountant who works from the company’s bank and invoice records, prepares financial statements and hands them to whoever needs them: the directors, a lender, an auditor or the tax authority of the country where you live. What the law asks for depends on the company type and what it does, so put that question to the firm before you sign.

Ask each firm which entity types it keeps books for (an exempted company, an LLC, a fund vehicle or a special purpose vehicle are different jobs), which accounting framework it reports under, and whether it works with your auditor or a firm you already use abroad. Check the profile for languages and whether the firm says it works with foreign clients. Two points to settle in writing: the currency the books are kept in, and who holds the records if you change provider.

Accountanty lists 15 firms in the Cayman Islands that offer accounting: 10 corporate services providers, 3 law firms and 2 accounting firms. Eight belong to large networks, five are small and two are medium. English is offered by 7, with Chinese and Spanish by 3 each, and 10 say they work with foreign clients. Their named industries lean towards funds, family offices and real estate. The firms sit on the George Town page. For the legal background start with the Cayman Islands guide, and compare company formation providers if you are not yet incorporated.

Firms offering accounting in the Cayman Islands

Frequently asked questions

Does a Cayman company need accounting records?

Yes. Directors are expected to keep proper records of the company's transactions, and your registered office provider, bank or auditor will ask to see them. The exact duties depend on the company type, so ask the firm which ones apply to yours before it quotes.

Can the firm that formed my company also keep its books?

Often yes. Most firms on this page also do formation and corporate secretarial work, so one provider can cover the whole life of the company. Ask whether the accounting is done by the same team or passed to a partner, and whether it is priced separately.

What should an accounting quote list?

The entity types covered, how many transactions or bank accounts the price assumes, the reporting framework and currency, the dates statements are delivered and who is responsible if records are late. Quotes that omit these are hard to compare.

Other services in the Cayman Islands

Accountants by city in the Cayman Islands

Setting up a company in the Cayman Islands: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.