When does it affect you?
It depends on your year end:
- 31 December year end: your first year under the new rules is 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
- 31 March year end: your first year is 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
The government expects around 14,000 companies to move from medium to small, so many may no longer need an audit. There are some catches, though. Being part of a group, working in certain regulated sectors, or having shareholders who ask for an audit can all mean you still need one.
Saving money, or losing something valuable?
Dropping the audit saves fees and time. But an audit does more than tick a box. It gives your bank, investors and any future buyer confidence in your numbers.
That confidence matters most when you are:
- planning to sell the business or bring in investors
- looking to borrow more, or get better terms from your lender
- growing quickly and need your systems and controls to keep up
- wanting a fresh pair of eyes to catch errors and deter fraud
For some businesses, a voluntary audit is the right call. For others, a lighter option may suit better.
Let's talk it through
There's no single right answer. It depends on your plans, your lenders and your shareholders.
From our offices in Stevenage and Goffs Oak, we help businesses across Hertfordshire make exactly this kind of decision. We're happy to sit down with you, look at where your business is heading, and help you decide whether an audit is still worth it. Whatever you choose, we can help, from statutory and voluntary audits to year end accounts and tax.
Come and see us at our Stevenage office on the Old Town High Street or at Goffs Oak House. You can also call us on 01438 741 147 (Stevenage) or 020 8366 4331 (Goffs Oak).
So, to audit or not to audit? Let's answer that question together.
