Statutory Audit

How We Can Help You With Your Audit Process

Our Audit Department has over 15 years of experience in both audit and general practice accounting (business advisory, taxation and forensic accounting amongst other services). This means that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to add value throughout the audit process in terms of providing beneficial advice in areas such as improvements to internal controls, potential corporation and personal tax savings and identifying opportunities for growth or cost savings for your business.

We provide a detailed report at the end of the audit and meet with management to discuss our findings and how these can help the business in its obligations, continued growth and financially.

We utilise the latest cloud-based audit technology to ensure that your audit is completed in the most efficient possible way whilst still maximising the benefits to the business whether we are onsite meeting face-to-face, working remotely with video conferencing systems or most often a combination of both.

Not certain whether you should have an audit – then read on or alternatively contact our office on 0161 399 0121 or our Audit Partner directly at tor.stringfellow@williamsoncroft.co.uk.

The Benefits Of Auditing

You Look More Credible to Investors, Lenders and Potential Buyers

If you can show that Williamson & Croft’s experienced audit team have combed through your financial statements and come to the conclusion that your business is operating correctly then this will, over time, improve your standing in the business marketplace. This is important in dealing with external 3rd parties who have an interest in the business and need to be able to place reliance on the financial information, in particular:

• Investors who may be more likely to introduce capital investment into your business if they have the assurance that the financial statements are accurate and are being checked by an independent auditor;
• Banks and other lenders who may be more willing to lend on preferential terms to a business with audited accounts on which it can place reliance;
• Buyers may be more attracted to a business with audited accounts as they will have the assurance that the results and financial position presented are true and fair; and
• If you are considering a future flotation of your business then the float may attract more interest from the market with a history of reliable, audited financial information.

Our audit solution provides you with an opportunity to show that your business is transparent and has nothing to hide.

Increases Stakeholder Confidence

Once an external 3rd party has an interest in your business, whether this is a “business angel” or another investor in capital finance or a bank providing significant lending to the business then often they require that the business obtains an audit of its financial statements to ensure that their interest is being managed properly.

The requirement for an audit can often be written into the terms of the shareholders or other agreement with an investor or in the covenants in a business loan agreement. We can also assist in communicating the results of the audit process and the financial information to the stakeholders in the most useful format.

It Improves Internal Systems Within Your Business and Protects Against Fraud

While it may seem that audits are all about numbers, that’s not exactly true. Williamson & Croft will look to gain a working knowledge of your business and how it uses systems and processes. Once we’ve gained this knowledge then we will then look to identify ways in which your internal processes could be improved and recommend new solutions, making you, your business and your employees more efficient and more secure.

Also, whilst the main purpose of an audit is not the detection of fraud, many of the improvements which we identify will help you in protecting the business from fraudulent transactions whether perpetrated internally or by criminals attacking from outside your organisation.

What is Assurance Engagement?

At the end of the process, you will receive a detailed report explaining exactly what work was undertaken, the results of the work, any recommendations and advice derived from our work and an “assurance report” which confirms that nothing has been found in our work to indicate that specific areas covered are not materially incorrect.

Examples of specific areas which may be reviewed are:

• Controls and systems to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements;
• Inventories to confirm the accuracy of stock take procedures and values in accounts;
• Tangible and intangible fixed assets to confirm ownership, value and treatment of assets;
• Long term contract accounting to ensure systems are in place to properly account for what is often a complex area; and
• Other specific balances in the accounts where management wants additional certainty and evidence that they are accurate and processes are robust.

These reports can be not only useful to management but also to external investors, lenders and potential buyers of businesses if they are focused to cover the main balance sheet areas, for example.

Grant Income Assurance Reports

When a business receives grant monies from a government or other agency it is normal for that body to then require some form of assurance that the monies are spent in accordance with the terms of the grant. Williamson & Croft have experience in the provision of these reports and ensuring that the work is undertaken quickly, cost-effectively and to a high standard to ensure that the release of grant funding is not unduly delayed.

How Else Can We Help Your Business?

We are not just experts at conducting audits, at Williamson & Croft we offer a range of accounting and tax services that will ensure your business pays the right amount of tax, is always compliant and is receiving the best advice from our team of expert chartered accountants in Liverpool & Manchester.

Here are some of the other services that we offer:

• Accountancy – A results-driven service that will help your business grow in key areas while also providing strategic advice and developing robust, risk-mitigating systems.
• Tax – Our tax team will wade through complexities and uncertainties of UK tax legislation to ensure you’re paying exactly what you have to and not a penny more.
• Advisory – We have the first-hand experience of starting a business, which puts us in a great position to advise you on how best to manage growth, make your mark on the industry and reduce risk.
• R&D Tax Credits – Claim back research & development money that you’re owed by the government through our R&D tax credit service. You could get back up to 33% of your costs.
• Year-End Tax Planning – We’ll make sure you’re not missing out on any tax relief. We’ll help you plan ahead to ensure any benefits you can receive are maximised.
• Forensic Accounting – Business valuations for tax planning, business restructuring, potential sale or business/matrimonial divorce purposes as well as a loss of profit claims and other reports.

Get In Touch

We can’t wait to start the audit process with you and your business. If you’re a business owner operating in Manchester, Liverpool, the surrounding areas of Salford, Bolton, Birkenhead, St Helens, the Wirral, Sale or anywhere else in the UK and want an accountancy firm that will ensure your audits are in-depth, clear and hit your objectives then give us a call or drop us an email and let’s get started.

Our audits are undertaken by Williamson & Croft Audit Limited who are registered to carry out audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (reference number C008141319).