Audit in the UK

In an audit, an independent professional examines a company’s accounts. Whether a UK company needs one depends on its size, its structure and its activities, and a foreign-owned subsidiary can also be asked for an audit by its parent group or by a lender. The rules change, so ask a firm to confirm the position for your company before you budget for it rather than relying on a general rule.

Audit work is done by firms that are registered to carry it out, so the licences declared in a profile matter more here than on most other service pages. Ask the firm which registered auditor body supervises it, whether it audits companies owned from abroad, whether it can work to your parent company’s reporting dates and who reviews the file. Also ask about independence: a firm that keeps your books usually should not audit them. The UK country guide explains the wider obligations.

79 firms list audit in the United Kingdom, all of them accounting firms. The mix is 44 small, 26 medium and 9 large network, a larger share of medium and large firms than on the other service pages. Charities, manufacturing, property and construction are the sectors named most. Owner-managed businesses and start-ups are the most common client groups. Larger firms tend to sit in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Firms offering audit in the UK

Rödl

Accounting firm · International network

Birmingham

  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • VAT
  • +2 more

Languages: English · German

View profile of Rödl

55 more firms offering audit in the UK

Frequently asked questions

Does my UK company need an audit?

It depends on the size of the company, its structure and its activities, and on any requirements from a parent company, investor or lender. Ask a registered auditor to confirm the position before you plan your budget, because the thresholds and exemptions can change.

Can the firm that keeps my books also audit them?

Usually it should not, because an auditor must be independent of the accounts being checked. Some firms offer both services through separate teams. Ask how the firm manages the conflict and whether it would recommend a different auditor.

What should I look for in an auditor's profile?

Look for the registered auditor body that supervises the firm, the entity types it audits, its experience with companies owned from abroad and the languages it works in. A published price is useful, but an audit is usually quoted after a scoping call.

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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.