AI courses for accountants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia: three options compared

Three bookable AI courses for accountants, from three different organisations, with prices from USD 79 to USD 5,950. Here is what each one teaches, how it is delivered, what credit it gives and what it costs.

Nikolay Zuykov · Agenticum · 1 November 2026

What each course teaches

Each course covers different uses of AI in accounting and finance.

The AICPA & CIMA course teaches the differences between machine learning, deep learning and neural networks. It also covers how to identify suitable models for finance and accounting applications. The ACCA course covers using NLP, ML and RPA to automate financial reporting. It also covers detecting and preventing fraud through AI-driven anomaly detection and real-time monitoring. The GLOMACS course spends five days on how AI supports financial analysis, fraud detection, budgeting, forecasting, compliance and strategic decision-making.

GLOMACS states that no prior experience with AI, machine learning or programming is required. The AICPA & CIMA course lists no prerequisites.

The course pages name these types of credit:

• CPE credits: AICPA & CIMA awards 2.5 for its course. GLOMACS grants one per 50 minutes of classroom attendance, under National Registry of CPE Sponsors (NASBA) standards.
• CPD certificate: the certificate the ACCA course gives on successful completion.
• Guided Learning Hours: what GLOMACS awards for online attendance, one per 60 minutes, together with a GLOMACS certificate.

The three courses compared

GLOMACS runs its course in a Dubai classroom and online. The other two courses are online.

AICPA & CIMA: Core Concepts of AI for Accounting Professionals (lowest price)

AICPA & CIMA offers a basic introduction for USD 95, or USD 79 for members. The course is written by Glenn Hopper and aimed at accounting and finance professionals and students, business leaders and decision makers.

It is online self-study worth 2.5 CPE credits, at basic level, with no prerequisites. The NASBA field of study is Information Technology. The syllabus centres on telling AI components apart (machine learning, deep learning, neural networks) and identifying appropriate models for finance and accounting applications.

Non-members pay USD 95. AICPA and CIMA members pay USD 79. It is a digital product, and the content stays available for one year after the purchase date.

ACCA: Introduction to AI for accountants (21 units, on demand)

Consider ACCA if you want an on-demand course with 21 units and a CPD certificate on successful completion. ACCA lists it on its own site, and Learnsignal produces it.

It is an online course of 21 units, available on demand. It is split into modules, and each module includes video lectures, reading materials, quizzes and practical examples. The content covers using NLP, ML and RPA to automate financial reporting processes, plus AI-driven fraud detection through anomaly detection and real-time monitoring.

The price is GBP 399.99, with 12 months of access. A CPD certificate is available on successful completion of the course.

GLOMACS: AI for Accounting and Finance Professionals (5 days, Dubai classroom or online)

Consider GLOMACS if you want a five-day course on fixed dates, either in a Dubai classroom or online. Over five days it covers how AI supports financial analysis, fraud detection, budgeting, forecasting, compliance and strategic decision-making. No prior experience with AI, machine learning or programming is required.

The Dubai classroom session runs 21 to 25 December 2026 at USD 5,950. Online sessions are also scheduled, for example 23 to 27 November 2026, at USD 4,950.

The credit depends on the format. Classroom attendance earns CPE credits under National Registry of CPE Sponsors standards, at one credit per 50 minutes of attendance. Online attendance earns a GLOMACS certificate and Guided Learning Hours, one per 60 minutes, rather than CPE credits. Of the two GLOMACS formats, the classroom option is the one that gives CPE credits.

How to choose: a four-question checklist

1. What is your budget per person? If your budget is under USD 100, consider AICPA & CIMA. ACCA costs GBP 399.99. The listed GLOMACS sessions cost USD 4,950 online or USD 5,950 in Dubai.
2. Self-study, on demand or fixed dates? AICPA & CIMA is online self-study. ACCA is online and on demand. GLOMACS runs on fixed dates, either in a Dubai classroom or online.
3. Which credit do you need? Choose between CPE credits (AICPA & CIMA, GLOMACS classroom), a CPD certificate (ACCA) and Guided Learning Hours (GLOMACS online). Before you book, ask your own institute or employer whether it accepts that type of credit for your CPD record.
4. Which course structure suits you? A 2.5-credit basic course, a 21-unit on-demand course, or a five-day course.

Our suggestion by reader type:

• Individual accountant on a small budget: start with AICPA & CIMA, especially if you are already a member and pay USD 79. Consider ACCA if you want a 21-unit course and a CPD certificate.
• CFO upskilling a team: GLOMACS fits if you want fixed dates, including a classroom session in Dubai. Pick the Dubai classroom if your team needs CPE credits, or online if the lower price matters more and Guided Learning Hours are enough.
• Students: consider AICPA & CIMA, which explicitly welcomes students and lists no prerequisites.

Before you pay: check these on the provider page

The prices and dates in this article are the ones published on each provider's page. They can change, so open the live page before booking and check these points:

• Member pricing: AICPA and CIMA members pay USD 79 instead of USD 95.
• Access period: one year from purchase at AICPA & CIMA, and 12 months at ACCA. Plan to finish within that window.
• GLOMACS dates and venue: each session has its own date, location and price. The Dubai classroom and online sessions above are examples from the current schedule.
• Currency: AICPA & CIMA and GLOMACS list prices in US dollars. ACCA lists its price in pounds sterling.

Sources

• AICPA & CIMA: Core Concepts of Artificial Intelligence for Accounting Professionals
• ACCA: Introduction to AI for accountants
• GLOMACS: AI for Accounting and Finance Professionals