Accounts and Audit

Chartered accountants & business advisers specialising in audited accounts

First established in 1994, Stopfords is an experienced and trusted firm of chartered accountants and business advisers committed to helping your business grow and succeed. We work with businesses of all shapes and sizes covering a whole variety of business areas.

Call us - 01623 420 269

Accounts Preparation

Accounts preparation is the process of gathering, organising, and presenting financial information in a standardised format to produce accurate and reliable financial statements

Our aim is to produce a set of accounts within a reasonable time frame of your books and records being left with us. This involves collecting relevant data such as sales and purchase invoices, bank statements, payroll records, and other financial documents. Then our experienced team meticulously examines these records, ensuring they comply with accounting principles, legal requirements, and industry standards to produce the accounts you or your business require.

We work with businesses of all shapes and sizes covering a whole variety of business areas.

Management Accounts

Management accounts are financial reports that provide detailed and timely information to help internal stakeholders make informed decisions and manage the operations of an organisation effectively. These management accounts are invaluable in helping businesses to make timely and meaningful decisions

We can produce management accounts covering any period you wish including monthly, quarterly and half yearly. In producing the accounts, we will highlight in a report any issues that we feel may need further investigation.

Keep one step ahead of your competitors by ensuring your hard work is producing the correct results.

Charities and Not for Profit Organisations

Accounting services for charities and non-profit organisations are specialised financial services aimed at assisting these entities in managing their unique financial needs. These services go beyond traditional accounting practices, as they must comply with specific regulations and reporting requirements applicable to the non-profit sector

We recognise the contribution these organisations make to society and appreciate our corporate responsibility to help them.

The sector is regulated by the Charity Commission and as has been evidenced in the press in recent months, any organisation dealing with public money must have structure and controls in place which enable them not only to function efficiently but protect themselves in the event they are held accountable.

Audits

An audit is a systematic and independent examination of an organisation's financial records, transactions, and internal controls to assess their accuracy, reliability, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting standards

Some of our clients look upon audits as being a necessary evil to satisfy requirements. We don’t. We see an audit benefiting clients in two ways:

We delve much deeper into their books and records and apply various tests to give the client peace of mind. This enables us to raise any issues with the client that the audit may uncover and use our wealth of experience to offer effective solutions.
The completed audit will be recorded in the accounts filed at Companies House. This will give other businesses who are looking to do business with you the added comfort that you have a clean bill of health.

Audit - 2025 Update

With the UK audit thresholds rising in April 2025, many companies will now fall below the statutory requirement, but audits still offer strategic value beyond compliance. Here’s why some businesses voluntarily choose to be audited even when they don’t have to:

Strategic Reasons Companies Still Opt for Audits

Investor and Lender Confidence

Audited accounts provide assurance to banks, investors, and potential buyers that financial statements are accurate and trustworthy.
This can improve access to funding, reduce borrowing costs, and support valuation during M&A or succession planning.

Stakeholder Trust

Audited accounts reassure suppliers, customers, and partners.
This is particularly relevant for UK manufacturers or compliance-heavy sectors where trust and transparency are key.

Banking and Financing Requirements

Many banks require audited financials for credit facilities or loan renewals — even if not legally mandated.
Audits can support better credit terms and lower interest rates.

Exit Planning and Valuation

Audited accounts are often essential for business sales, mergers, or succession planning.
They provide a credible basis for valuation and due diligence.

Group and Subsidiary Requirements

Subsidiaries may need audits if part of a larger group, especially if the parent is audited or publicly listed.
Section 479A guarantees can exempt some subsidiaries, but not all.

Internal Oversight and Risk Management

Audits often uncover inefficiencies, control weaknesses, or fraud risks that internal reviews miss.
For directors and owners, it’s a way to ensure governance standards are upheld.

Articles of Association or Shareholder Requests

Some companies are contractually bound to audit via their articles, shareholder agreements or maybe Pension Scheme.
Shareholders holding ≥10% of shares can demand an audit in writing.

Sector-Specific Obligations

Certain industries — insurance, banking, investment firms — are excluded from exemption regardless of size.
Regulatory bodies may require audits for compliance or licensing.

Growth and Exit Planning

Companies preparing for sale, external investment, or public listing often maintain audited accounts to streamline due diligence.
It signals professionalism and readiness to scale.

When Might It Be Worth Skipping an audit?

If the company is stable, privately held, and doesn’t need external funding or regulatory oversight.
If internal controls are strong and directors are confident in unaudited financials.
If cost savings outweigh the strategic benefits.

Get a free consultation

We understand the importance of building working relationships with our customers. Establishing a common understanding of your business goals and building trust is of paramount importance to us, which is why we offer all our new customers a free no obligation consultation. Come down and meet the team and have a conversation with the people that you can trust to help your business flourish.

Call us - 01623 420 269

The Stopfords Difference

Our goal is to provide a personal and professional approach together with a reliable and dedicated service to our clients. As a result, we have developed an excellent reputation in Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire. We combine traditional values, forward thinking and the latest accountancy software to deliver an exceptional service to our clients.

We are committed to transparency and quality, which is why we operate under a few core principles:

Fixed fees
Fast & efficient
Free initial consultation
Free annual review
Talking your language
Exceeding expectations

Call us - 01623 420 269

Google Reviews

What our customers think

4.8

From 19 verified Google reviews

Mike

7 months ago

These wasn't our first accountants so we do have others to compare against and I must say Stopfords are excellent accountants. They are always available to help with any queries and go above and beyond to make you feel at ease with your financials. We have annual meetings with Rebecca Mitchell which I look forward to as she explains everything in detail if required. I do also prefer how she prints the information out so you can see it clearly and have a copy yourself if required. Would and do highly recommend Stopfords to anyone thats looking for an accountancy service or even just excellent reliable advice.

Tom Barber

9 months ago

We have worked with Stopfords for several years. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Highly professional and a friendly team to work with.

Caroline

9 months ago

Throughout the last 19 years, we have relied upon the professional services provided by Stopfords. During this time, we have been able to focus on our business growth whilst the amazing team at Stopfords have handled our payroll, company and personal tax affairs. We always love our visits to Stopfords and the support of such lovely people helps us enjoy what we do even more! We would highly recommend the services of Stopfords, a company you can trust and have complete confidence in.

Dr. Chloe Wilson

11 months ago

I would 100% recommend anyone and everyone to work with Stopfords. Their team are so kind, super efficient and easy to work with. It’s my first year running my own business and they have helped me in so many ways.

Rik R

a year ago

I have used Stopfords for over 6 years now and they have been very helpful, professional and at hand for any queries that I may have. The customer service is excellent and I trust them with my accounts allowing me to focus on my business. I would highly recommend.

Click here to leave us a review

What our clients say

★★★★★
“Stopfords provide excellent support and consistently fast response times. They make our accounts process straightforward and stress-free, and we always receive quick, reliable advice when we need it. I would definitely recommend them.”
Melanie Wardle – ADM Windows Ltd

★★★★★
“Stopfords provide a reliable and high-quality accountancy service, with a strong focus on support and guidance around business finances. Their team excels in account management and consistently delivers excellent service. I would absolutely recommend them.”
Anonymous

★★★★★
“As a new company, we really valued the guidance Stopfords provided in helping us navigate the accountancy side of the business. Their support with both our accounts and software processes has made a huge difference. They are always available to answer questions and provide help and have truly taken the stress out of running our business. I would definitely recommend them.”
Sarah Saunders – ALLRAC Limited

★★★★★
“Stopfords provide accounts and payroll services for our business, and what stands out most is their calm, reassuring approach. Any issues are handled quickly and with ease. They have completely taken the stress off my shoulders — without their support, our business wouldn't exist. The payroll service in particular is excellent, and the team are always kind and extremely helpful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.”
Firecrest UK Ltd

★★★★★
“Stopfords handle our full monthly and yearly accounts along with payroll, providing a 'big brother' level of support that gives real peace of mind. They treat our finances as if they were their own, always offering guidance and support, which creates a strong sense of security. The service is outstanding — we'd rate their support 10 out of 10 and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.”
Onesite (Laser) Limited

★★★★★
“Stopfords provide accounting and payroll services for us, and their customer care is excellent. They respond promptly to queries and always offer brilliant support and advice when required. Their guidance gives us reassurance that we are on track and managing our finances efficiently. The support we receive — particularly with audited accounts and AGM attendance — is outstanding. We would absolutely recommend them.”
North Notts BID Ltd

★★★★★
“We've worked with Stopfords for over 20 years, and they continue to provide a full range of accountancy and advisory services, including accounts, tax, payroll, and day-to-day business support. What sets them apart is their personal approach — the team genuinely understands our business and is invested in our success. Their proactive guidance saves us time, reduces unnecessary costs, and removes the stress of managing finances, allowing us to focus on running the business. The support is always friendly, reliable, and professional, and I would absolutely recommend them.”
Mick Burns, Managing Director – Kinetic ICT Solutions Ltd

★★★★★
“Stopfords provide a wide range of services for us, including statutory filings, annual accounts, payroll, and VAT support. What stands out most is their responsiveness and the clarity of their advice — they always explain things in a way that's easy to understand. They ensure everything is handled accurately and on time, allowing us to focus on running the charity without worrying about compliance risks or delays. Their attention to detail and strong understanding of regulations gives us total confidence. The team are professional, reliable, and approachable, and we feel genuinely supported rather than just processed. We would recommend them without hesitation.”
Rumbles Catering Project Ltd & associated CICs

★★★★★
“We've worked with Stopfords for over 20 years, and throughout that time they have consistently delivered a thorough and professional service. They support us with accounts, payroll, and personal tax, taking the stress out of year-end processes and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Their team is always first-class, and their support makes managing our finances much easier. We've recommended them on several occasions and would continue to do so — they are an excellent choice for any business looking for reliable accountancy support.”
Wood Lane Timber Merchants Limited

★★★★★
“I've worked with Stopfords for around 20 years across three different companies, and they've consistently provided outstanding support. Their services have included annual accounts, audits, payroll, and both personal and company tax support. The team are knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to help, explaining things clearly while offering practical advice and suggestions for improvement. They have a genuine, family-business feel and truly care about supporting their clients. Whenever I've had questions or challenges, there has always been someone available to help, and their recommendations are always trustworthy. It's invaluable to have that level of support and reliability. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them — the whole team are a pleasure to work with.”
Kelly – Solus Scientific Solutions Limited

★★★★★
“We have always found the staff very friendly and helpful, very professional, nothing is too much trouble. All knowledgeable and up to date, especially when its Budget time. We used services for payroll, accounts and John's self assessment. We think Stopfords are tip top, 5* My wife first worked with Stopfords back in the early 1990's whilst employed by her 2 previous bosses. It felt a natural progression when starting our own business to call upon the advice, service and support from Stopfords.”
John Corrigan