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News – 13.01.20

Electronic editions of newspapers and e-books – zero-rated?

A recent decision of the Upper Tribunal on the VAT liability of e-newspapers may provide suppliers and publishers of digital books and magazines with the opportunity to reclaim overpaid VAT. … Read more

Insight – 17.01.20

New off-payroll working rules (IR35) – what your charity needs to do before April 2020

View the steps you need to become IR35 compliant … Read more

Upcoming event – 22.01.20

Stakeholder management

You will understand team dynamics and effective people manager behaviours … Read more

Find us quickly

130 Wood Street, London, EC2V 6DL
enquiries@buzzacott.co.uk T +44 (0)20 7556 1200

Why have an audit?

An audit provides a high level of assurance for a company. For companies over a certain size or that are ineligible (unless applying certain exemptions available to subsidiaries), an audit is required by law.

About the author

Katherine White

+44 (0)20 7556 1374
whitek@buzzacott.co.uk

Some companies and LLPs are not required to have an audit if they are “small” as they can take advantage of the Section 477 audit exemption. A standalone company will qualify as small unless it exceeds two of the three following size criteria for two years in a row:

Turnover/revenue	<£10.2m (net)
Total assets	<£5.1m (net)
Average number of employees	Not more than 50

If the company or LLP is in a group, the whole worldwide group must be “small” for the entity to qualify for the Section 477 audit exemption. Find out more here.

As there are numerous advantages of having an audit, many companies will opt to have an audit even if an exemption is available.

Advantages of an audit

These advantages include:

Giving shareholders and directors peace of mind that the financial statements are free from material error and give a true and fair view
Identifying internal accounting system weaknesses and recommend practical ways to improve
Providing assurance to potential investors regarding the financial performance
Assisting with complicated transactions and ensuring they are accounted for and disclosed correctly
Highlighting upcoming changes in company law, accounting standards and tax legislation and ensuring our clients are prepared
Providing greater credibility to banks, customers, suppliers and HMRC
An audit can be a requirement for banks when applying for a loan and will improve the chance of raising finance
For customers and suppliers an audit improves trust for both parties and provides greater assurance over business processes and working capital
An audit reduces the chance of an HMRC inspection (although making claims still increases the probability of there being an inspection) and increases the reliability of corporation tax returns
Improving the credit rating of the business.

At Buzzacott, audit work is tailored to the risks in the business. We will provide you with confidence that the financial statements are materially correct and reflect fairly on the business. We are the largest single office accountancy practice in the United Kingdom and have all the resources a business would ever need all in one place to ensure value is maximised.

If you think you need assistance, just get in touch.

You might also be interested in… Audit and assurance for business.

You want a streamlined audit process that doesn’t get in the way of your day-to-day. With us, you get clear communication and realistic timetables, so you know when milestones are due and how to meet them. And because our service focuses on the key areas of your organisation, we won’t take up more of your time than strictly necessary.

We audit all sizes of unlisted companies and LLPs, whether you are a start-up or a large group. Our specialist areas include audits of:

FCA regulated firms including hedge fund managers, investment advisory firms, private equity firms and brokers
Professional practices including solicitors and architects
UK parents and subsidiaries of international groups
Media, technology and IT companies

During our audits we offer detailed feedback on your systems and controls – feedback you can act on because it’s designed to suit and add lasting value to your organisation.

As well as external/statutory audit, our assurance services include:

Solicitors’ Accounts Rules
Funder audits
Assurance and internal compliance
Due diligence assignments
HR audits
Grant audits
We also undertake client asset (CASS) audits for FCA-regulated firms

You’re our speciality. We audit businesses and charities like yours across the UK and globally, so we bring plenty of relevant experience to help everything run smoothly. And our people tend to stay with us, so you’ll often see familiar faces whose understanding of your situation grows every year.