How to choose accounting software in Bahrain: 7 checks

Most accounting software sold in the Gulf was built for somewhere else and adapted. These seven checks show quickly whether a product was made for Bahrain's rules or only translated for them.

· How we check our guides

1. It follows Bahrain's tax rules

VAT is 10%, filed with the National Bureau for Revenue monthly or quarterly. The software should fill the NBR return from posted documents and keep amounts to the fils.

2. E-invoicing

Bahrain has no e-invoicing mandate today, but every VAT invoice must carry the required fields in Arabic and be kept unedited. Look for tax invoices and credit notes that the software numbers and locks.

3. Payroll

Payroll must handle SIO contributions for Bahraini and expatriate staff and the leaving indemnity, with payslips in Arabic and English.

4. Currency and decimals

Amounts in BHD to three decimals: a system built for two will round and drift.

5. Arabic that is not an afterthought

Every screen, report and printed document should read right to left in Arabic as well as in English, with the Arabic text a native speaker would write. Try printing an invoice in both languages before you decide.

6. Your data, your accountant

Books should never be edited after the fact: corrections are new entries, with an audit trail. Check that you can export everything, and that your accountant can work inside your books with their own login and a role you choose.

7. The price, in your currency

Compare the price for the plan you will actually need in a year, in BHD, with users, companies and payroll employees included. Aqid ERP's plans in Bahrain start at BHD 7.9 a month, and you can start free.

Questions

Why do decimals matter in Bahrain?

The dinar has 1,000 fils. Software that rounds to two decimals will not agree with your bank.

How often is the VAT return filed?

Monthly above BHD 3 million of annual supplies, quarterly otherwise.

Is e-invoicing required in Bahrain?

Not today. VAT invoices must still carry the required fields and be kept unedited.

More guides

Accounting & reportsOvertime pay in Bahrain: 25% by day, 50% at night, 150% on the rest dayVAT registration in Bahrain: the BHD 37,500 threshold, voluntary registration and non-residentsExcise tax in Bahrain: the goods, the rates, registration and the two-monthly returnFiling the Bahrain VAT return with the NBR: periods, deadline, contents and penaltiesBahrain's Wage Protection System (WPS): who must use it, the deadlines and what to keepVAT in Bahrain at 10%: registration, returns and how to calculate itEnd of service in Bahrain: the SIO indemnity since March 2024, and service before itSIO contribution rates in Bahrain (2026): Bahrainis and expatriatesAll articlesPricing

Terms used on this page

NBR (National Bureau for Revenue)VAT account number (Bahrain)VAT invoice (Bahrain)All terms

Aqid ERP in Bahrain

Set up for Bahrain's rules from the first day.

  • Plans from 7.9 د.ب a month
  • VAT 10 %
  • NBR return
  • SIO
Aqid ERP for BahrainPrices in BahrainOvertime pay in Bahrain: 25% by day, 50% at night, 150% on the rest dayVAT registration in Bahrain: the BHD 37,500 threshold, voluntary registration and non-residentsExcise tax in Bahrain: the goods, the rates, registration and the two-monthly return

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