Audit exemption for private limited companies

You may not need to get an audit of your private limited company’s annual accounts.

You’ll need to get an audit if your articles of association say you must or your shareholders ask for one.

For financial years that begin on or after 1 January 2016

Your company may qualify for an audit exemption if it has at least 2 of the following:

  • an annual turnover of no more than £10.2 million
  • assets worth no more than £5.1 million
  • 50 or fewer employees on average

For financial years beginning between 1 October 2012 and 31 December 2015

Your company may qualify for an audit exemption if it has at least 2 of the following:

  • an annual turnover of no more than £6.5 million
  • assets worth no more than £3.26 million
  • 50 or fewer employees on average

For financial years beginning before 1 October 2012

Your company may qualify for an audit exemption if it has both:

  • an annual turnover of no more than £6.5 million
  • assets worth no more than £3.26 million

Audit exemption statement

You must include the following statement on the balance sheet of your accounts if you’re using an audit exemption.

For the year ending [your company’s year end date], the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

If shareholders ask for an audit

Even if your company is usually exempt from an audit, you must get your accounts audited if shareholders who own at least 10% of shares (by number or value) ask you to. This can be an individual shareholder or a group of shareholders.

They must make the request in writing and send it to the company’s registered office address.

The request must arrive at least one month before the end of the financial year that the audit is being asked for.

Companies that must have an audit

Your company must have an audit if at any time in the financial year it’s been one of the following:

  • a public company (unless it’s dormant - read the dormant accounts section of the company accounts guidance)
  • a subsidiary company (unless it qualifies for an exemption - read the subsidiary company section of the company accounts guidance)
  • an authorised insurance company
  • carrying out insurance market activity
  • involved in banking
  • an issuer of electronic money (e-money)
  • a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) investment firm
  • an Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) management company
  • a corporate body and its shares have been traded on a regulated market
  • a funder of a master trust pensions scheme
  • a special register body
  • a pensions or labour relations body

Ask a legal professional if you’re not sure if you must have an audit.