AUDITS
"Do you know why you need an audit or why you should have one?"
The main reasons why you will be required by law to have a statutory audit are...
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You are a PLC or a banking, insurance or finance company (or a subsidiary of one of these);
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You are required by your professional or trade organisation to have your accounts audited;
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Your shareholders do not agree to opting out of the audit.​
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For accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2016 audit thresholds are aligned with the new qualification as a small company, meaning companies (including LLP's) are exempt from having a statutory audit if they meet 2 of the 3 following conditions...
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Turnover below £10.2 million
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Balance sheet total below £5.1 million
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Less than 50 employees
For accounting periods starting before 1 January 2016 and ending on or after 1 October 2012 small company, meaning companies (including LLP's) are exempt from having a statutory audit if they meet 2 of the 3 following conditions...
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Turnover below £6.5 million
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Balance sheet total below £3.26 million
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Less than 50 employees
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Most subsidiary companies are also exempt from audit where their parent company guarantees their liabilities.
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For accounting periods ending on or before 30 September 2012 an audit is required where your turnover exceeds £6.5 million or your gross assets exceed £3.26 million or the company is part of a group that exceeds those limits.
We can advise you if you need an audit and if not, you can save on accountancy fees!
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However, we aim to deliver hassle-free audits and there are good reasons for having an audit even if you are not required by law to have one...
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An audit involves a detailed review of the company's accounting systems and systems of control and also requires a detailed understanding of the company's business. Such a review and knowledge can provide increased opportunities to provide proactive business advice on many matters;
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An unqualified audit report can improve the status of the accounts in the eyes of banks and commercial lenders, the Taxman and suppliers who may be seeking credit references, etc;
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A history of accounts with clean audit reports can also be a factor if you ever wish to sell the company or, perhaps, take it to the market;
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The possibility of fraud can be reduced and an audit can act as a deterrent to any potential fraudster.