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Service · Tax and accounts

Audit & Assurance across borders

Independent audits and reviews that investors, lenders and regulators can rely on. Led by a WONE Global Partner where one is named. Elsewhere, WONE Global confirms on request whether a vetted Associate firm can act.

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Professional knowledge centre

Audit & Assurance: how it works

Audit and assurance decide which entities in a group need an independent opinion on their accounts, who may give it, how long the same auditor may stay, and what else the auditor may do for the client. Across borders the main surprise is that small subsidiaries of large groups often lose small-company exemptions, as in the UK and Singapore, while Germany tests size at company level. Rules for listed and public-interest entities add firm and partner rotation and limits on non-audit services. Since 2025 the field has also changed through sustainability assurance: the EU kept limited assurance for CSRD reporting, dropped the move to reasonable assurance and narrowed scope in February 2026.

Source-checked research100% of statements checked against a source46 checked against an official source1 checked against a secondary sourceChecked 2026-10-19Not yet professionally reviewed

Overview

6 modules

Audit duties come from company law, which sets size-based exemptions; from capital markets law, which governs listed companies and SEC registrants; and increasingly from tax law, as in the UAE corporate tax rules and Saudi loss carry-forward rules. The same subsidiary can therefore be exempt under company law but still need audited accounts for tax, or for its parent's own exemptions in another country.

This centre compares the UK, Germany, France, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States, with EU rules for public-interest entities and sustainability assurance. Indian rules on statutory audit, auditor rotation, CARO and internal financial controls could not yet be checked on official sites and are listed as gaps.

Statutory audit requirements and thresholds

10 statements, checked against sources

Whether a company needs an audit depends on its size, its legal form and, often decisively, the group it belongs to. The UK, Germany, France, Singapore and Saudi Arabia all exempt small companies, but the tests use different figures and several look through to the group: a small Singapore or UK subsidiary of a large group usually still needs an audit. In the UAE the corporate tax rules add an audit duty for larger taxpayers and Qualifying Free Zone Persons.

Read the full module →

Sources for this topic · 8
  • GOV.UK — Audit exemptions for private limited companiesChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 2 statements
  • legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) — Companies Act 2006, section 479AChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 316 HGB – Pflicht zur PrüfungChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-18 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 267 HGB – Umschreibung der GrößenklassenChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Audit exemptionsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 2 statements
  • Ministry of Commerce — New Companies Law offers facilities to small businesses and entrepreneursChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Ministry of Finance — Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses and its amendmentsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-18 · 1 statement
  • PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — United Arab Emirates – Corporate – Tax administrationChecked against a secondary source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement

Questions on this topic

10 statements on statutory audit requirements and thresholds

Auditor appointment and rotation

10 statements, checked against sources

Appointment rules decide who chooses the auditor, when, and who may act. Shareholders usually elect the auditor, but timing differs: within 28 days of the accounts cycle in the UK, ideally before year end in Germany, and for a six-year term in France. Rotation rules bite mainly on public-interest entities and SEC registrants, with a 10-year firm limit and 7-year partner limit in the EU and a 5-year lead partner limit in the US.

Read the full module →

Sources for this topic · 8
  • legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) — Companies Act 2006, section 485Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) — Companies Act 2006, section 494ZAChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 318 HGB – Bestellung und Abberufung des AbschlussprüfersChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 319 HGB – Auswahl der Abschlussprüfer und AusschlussgründeChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • European Union (EUR-Lex) — Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entitiesChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 3 statements
  • Service Public Entreprendre (DILA, Prime Minister's Office) — La désignation d'un commissaire aux comptes est-elle obligatoire ?Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-18 · 1 statement
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 17 CFR 210.2-01 - Qualifications of accountantsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — Implementing Regulations of the Income Tax Law (Ministerial Decision No. 1535 dated 11/6/1425H, as amended)Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement

Questions on this topic

10 statements on auditor appointment and rotation

Audit regulators and independence

8 statements, checked against sources

Auditors are licensed and overseen nationally, and independence rules limit what else the audit firm may do for its client. The US PCAOB oversees audits of SEC registrants and the SEC bans a list of non-audit services; the EU bans a longer list for public-interest entities and caps permitted non-audit fees at 70% of the audit fee. In the UK and Germany only registered members of approved bodies may act.

Read the full module →

Sources for this topic · 6
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 15 US Code 7211 - Establishment; administrative provisionsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 15 US Code 78m - Periodical and other reportsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 17 CFR 210.2-01 - Qualifications of accountantsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • European Union (EUR-Lex) — Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entitiesChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 3 statements
  • legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) — Companies Act 2006, section 1212Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 319 HGB – Auswahl der Abschlussprüfer und AusschlussgründeChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement

Questions on this topic

8 statements on audit regulators and independence

Group audits and component auditors

6 statements, checked against sources

In a group audit one auditor signs the opinion on the consolidated accounts while others often audit the subsidiaries. German law makes the group auditor review and document the other auditors' work, and US rules require another auditor's report to be filed where the principal auditor relies on it. Reliefs for subsidiaries in the UK and Germany depend on the parent's consolidated accounts being audited.

Read the full module →

Sources for this topic · 6
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 317 HGB – Gegenstand und Umfang der PrüfungChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 318 HGB – Bestellung und Abberufung des AbschlussprüfersChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 290 HGB – Pflicht zur AufstellungChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 264 HGB – Pflicht zur Aufstellung; BefreiungChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) — Companies Act 2006, section 401Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 17 CFR 210.2-05 - Examination of financial statements by more than one accountantChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement

Questions on this topic

6 statements on group audits and component auditors

Internal controls and ICFR (SOX, CARO and local equivalents)

6 statements, checked against sources

Internal control reporting is mandatory mainly for listed groups. In the US every SEC issuer's management must assess internal control over financial reporting under section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and accelerated and large accelerated filers also need auditor attestation; US issuers must keep accurate books and internal accounting controls under the Exchange Act. Singapore relies on director duties and CEO and CFO assurance for listed companies. India's CARO and internal financial controls reporting could not be confirmed.

Read the full module →

Sources for this topic · 3
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 15 US Code 7262 - Management assessment of internal controlsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 3 statements
  • Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — 15 US Code 78m - Periodical and other reportsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 1 statement
  • Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Financial reporting duties for directorsChecked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 2 statements

Questions on this topic

6 statements on internal controls and icfr (sox, caro and local equivalents)

Sustainability assurance

7 statements, checked against sources

Assurance of sustainability information is required in the EU for companies within CSRD scope, at a limited assurance level. The February 2026 Omnibus directive removed the plan to move to reasonable assurance, pushed the deadline for EU limited assurance standards to 1 July 2027 and narrowed the number of companies in scope. Member States can let auditors other than the financial statement auditor, or accredited independent providers, give the opinion.

Read the full module →

Sources for this topic · 2
  • European Union (EUR-Lex) — Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 4 statements
  • European Union (EUR-Lex) — Directive (EU) 2026/470 amending Directives 2006/43/EC, 2013/34/EU, (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760Checked against an official source · checked 2026-10-19 · 3 statements

Questions on this topic

7 statements on sustainability assurance

Worked example, from official sources

Does a small subsidiary need an audit? UK, Germany, Singapore, India and the UAE

A US-headquartered group with consolidated revenue well above every local small-group limit owns a small operating subsidiary directly in each of five markets. Which subsidiaries need a statutory audit?

Assumptions

  • Each subsidiary is a private limited company owned directly by the US parent, which is not established in the UK or the EU.
  • In each market the subsidiary's own revenue, assets and headcount have been below the local small-company limits for at least two years: under £15 million turnover, £7.5 million balance sheet and 50 employees in the UK; under EUR 15 million revenue, EUR 7.5 million assets and 50 employees in Germany; under S$10 million revenue and assets and 50 employees in Singapore.
  • The UAE subsidiary is a mainland company with revenue below AED 50 million and is not a Qualifying Free Zone Person.
  • No shareholder, lender or article requires an audit, and no entity is listed or a public-interest entity.
Statutory audit for a small subsidiary of a large US group123456789
MarketOwn size testGroup or parent effectAudit needed?Source
United KingdomWithin £15m / £7.5m / 50Subsidiaries audited unless exempt; s479A needs a UK parentLikely yesGOV.UK; CA 2006 s479A
GermanySmall: within EUR 7.5m / EUR 15m / 50Size test is on the company; § 264(3) relief not neededNo statutory audit§§ 267, 316 HGB
SingaporeWithin S$10m / S$10m / 50Whole group must also be small; it is notYesACRA
IndiaNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedSee gaps
UAE (mainland)Revenue below AED 50mCorporate tax audit duty not triggered; company law not confirmedNot required for corporate tax; confirm company lawPwC summary (secondary); Decree-Law 47 of 2022 Art. 54

Step by step

  1. United Kingdom: the company passes the size test, but a subsidiary must be audited unless it qualifies for an exemption. The section 479A subsidiary exemption needs a parent established in the UK, so it is not available with a US parent. An audit is therefore likely; whether any small-company route remains open depends on the group test, which should be confirmed.123
  2. Germany: a GmbH that stays within two of EUR 7.5 million assets, EUR 15 million revenue and 50 employees on two consecutive year ends is small, and only corporations that are not small must be audited. The German size test looks at the company itself, so the GmbH needs no statutory audit.45
  3. Singapore: the company meets the small-company criteria, but as a member of a group it is exempt only if the whole group, including foreign entities, also meets two of the three criteria on consolidated figures. The US group does not, so an audit is required.67
  4. India: the Companies Act 2013 audit provisions could not yet be checked, so no conclusion is stated; this must be confirmed with an Indian chartered accountant.
  5. UAE: the corporate tax law lets the Minister require audited statements for specified categories; according to a secondary source these are taxpayers with revenue above AED 50 million and Qualifying Free Zone Persons. Neither applies, so corporate tax does not require an audit, but company law and licensing authority rules still need checking.89

Conditions that apply

  • German small status changes only after the limits are crossed on two consecutive balance sheet dates.4
  • UK shareholders holding 10% of the shares can still require an audit.2
  • In the UK, the subsidiary exemption would become available only if the subsidiary were held through a UK parent that gives a guarantee and includes it in audited consolidated accounts.3
  • A UAE Qualifying Free Zone Person must have audited statements regardless of revenue, per the secondary source.9

Result on these facts

On these facts the Singapore subsidiary needs an audit because the group is not small, and the UK subsidiary very likely does because it cannot use the subsidiary exemption with a US parent. The German GmbH needs no statutory audit because the German size test applies to the company alone. In the UAE corporate tax does not require an audit below AED 50 million revenue for a mainland company that is not a Qualifying Free Zone Person. India could not be confirmed. Groups that want to reduce audits should note that routing UK ownership through a UK holding company changes the UK answer, at the cost of a parent guarantee.

Confirm the UK group test for small-company exemption and the section 479B exclusions, India's Companies Act audit requirement, UAE Commercial Companies Law, free zone and licensing authority audit rules and Ministerial Decision No. 82 of 2023, and any audit required by lenders or the articles in each country.

Sources for the worked example

Each statement is numbered to the source it was checked against. We use official sources where we can, and each statement says whether it was checked against an official or a secondary source. Sources last checked on 19 October 2026. None of it has been professionally reviewed yet: it is research checked against official and secondary sources by WONE Global, not legal or tax advice.

  1. A private company can claim audit exemption if it meets at least two of: turnover of no more than £15 million, balance sheet total of no more than £7.5 million, and 50 or fewer employees on average. Financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2025 (previously £10.2 million turnover and £5.1 million assets). Not available to public companies (unless dormant), most subsidiaries without the subsidiary exemption, banks, insurers, e-money issuers, MiFID firms or companies with shares on a regulated market; shareholders holding 10% can require an audit.

    GOV.UK — Audit exemptions for private limited companies · Small companies; when an audit is still required · In force from 6 April 2025 · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  2. A UK private company that is a subsidiary must have its accounts audited unless it qualifies for an exemption, and shareholders holding at least 10% of the shares can require an audit by writing to the registered office at least one month before the year end. UK private companies; the articles of association may also require an audit.

    GOV.UK — Audit exemptions for private limited companies · Companies that must have an audit; when shareholders can require an audit · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  3. A UK subsidiary can be exempt from audit under section 479A only if its parent is established under the law of a part of the UK, all its members agree, the parent guarantees its liabilities under section 479C, and it is included in the parent's consolidated accounts, with the required documents filed at Companies House by the filing deadline. Parent location wording substituted with effect from 31 December 2020; a subsidiary of a non-UK parent cannot use this exemption. Subject to sections 475(2)-(3) and 476 and the exclusions in section 479B (not read).

    legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) — Companies Act 2006, section 479A · Section 479A(1)-(3) · In force from 31 December 2020 · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  4. A German corporation is small, and so outside statutory audit, if it does not exceed two of three limits: EUR 7.5 million total assets, EUR 15 million revenue in the 12 months before the balance sheet date and 50 employees on annual average; the consequences apply only once the limits are exceeded or not exceeded on two consecutive balance sheet dates. Kapitalgesellschaften including GmbH. Medium-sized limits are EUR 25 million assets, EUR 50 million revenue and 250 employees. Capital-market-oriented companies are always treated as large.

    Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 267 HGB – Umschreibung der Größenklassen · § 267 Abs. 1, 2 and 4 HGB · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  5. The annual financial statements and management report of corporations that are not small must be audited by a statutory auditor. Kapitalgesellschaften (including GmbH) exceeding the small-company limits in § 267 Abs. 1 HGB.

    Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — § 316 HGB – Pflicht zur Prüfung · § 316 Abs. 1 HGB · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  6. A private company is exempt from statutory audit as a small company if it meets at least two of three criteria for the past two consecutive financial years: revenue of S$10 million or less, total assets of S$10 million or less, and 50 employees or fewer. If the company is part of a group, the group must also qualify as a small group on a consolidated basis. New companies are assessed on the current year.

    Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Audit exemptions · Small company and small group criteria · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  7. A Singapore company that belongs to a group qualifies for audit exemption only if the entire group, including foreign entities, also meets at least two of the three small-company criteria, measured on the holding company's consolidated financial statements. Small group test for the S$10 million revenue, S$10 million assets and 50 employees criteria. Dormant companies are separately exempt under section 205B.

    Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Audit exemptions · Small group · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  8. The Minister may require specified categories of taxable persons to prepare and keep audited or certified financial statements. Federal. The categories are set by Ministerial Decision (understood to cover taxable persons with revenue above AED 50 million and Qualifying Free Zone Persons) and were not confirmed here.

    Ministry of Finance — Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses and its amendments · Article 54 · Checked 18 October 2026 · Checked against an official source · Not yet professionally reviewed

  9. For UAE corporate tax, financial statements must be audited by a UAE-licensed auditor where the taxable person's revenue exceeds AED 50 million or where it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Federal corporate tax. For a UAE permanent establishment only revenue allocated to it counts towards the AED 50 million threshold. Company law and free zone audit requirements are separate and were not confirmed.

    PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — United Arab Emirates – Corporate – Tax administration · Audit requirements · Checked 19 October 2026 · Checked against a secondary source · Not yet professionally reviewed

    Secondary source used because Ministerial Decision No. 82 of 2023 could not yet be checked on an official site.

WONE Global Intelligence

Ask about audit & assurance

Ask in your own words. Answers come from WONE Global's checked records, with every source shown, and end with the named Partner who can act. Go deeper on any point, or build a decision file.

Scope

What the service covers

  1. 01Define the assurance scope
  2. 02Coordinate statutory or group audit requirements
  3. 03Address local reporting standards
  4. 04Support remediation of material findings

Key questions

What we will work through with you

  • What needs to be decided before audit & assurance work starts?
  • Who is professionally responsible in each country?
  • Which other work, such as tax or employment, must happen at the same time?
  • What information and decisions are needed from the business?

You don’t need the answers before you talk to us. Working through them is the first thing we do together.

Coverage

Audit & Assurance, market by market

A named WONE Global lead in 8 markets today. In every other featured market, WONE Global arranges qualified local expertise on request and tells you who it is before work begins.

All 60 featured markets for Audit & Assurance +

WONE Global Partners

The professionals admitted for Audit & Assurance

Each is responsible for this service in their own jurisdiction, under their own professional rules.

Pablo Andres GuerraQuito · Ecuador

WONE Global Partner · Ecuador

Pablo Andres Guerra

Country Managing Partner · G&G Auditores Independientes & Lex Fiscal Corp · Quito

Experienced Partner with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in International Tax, External Audit, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Income Tax, and Tax. Strong entrepren…

Miguel Angel Asencio AsencioMexico City · Mexico

WONE Global Partner · Mexico

Miguel Angel Asencio Asencio

Founder, Managing Partner · Summare Capital Solutions SC · Mexico City

Miguel has more than 30 years of experience with national and international exposure, 19 years with Deloitte Mexico from February 1998 through November 2016, serving multinational clients on different industries such as…

Abdullah Yousef AlhussainiRiyadh · Saudi Arabia

WONE Global Partner · Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Yousef Alhussaini

Founding Partner · Abdullah Yousef Alhussaini Chartered Accountant · Riyadh

Abdullah Yousef Al-Hussaini (License No. 992) is a seasoned accounting and auditing professional with a career spanning leading roles at Ernst & Young (EY) and one of Saudi Arabia’s largest insurance companies, includin…

Priju DominicDubai · United Arab Emirates

WONE Global Partner · United Arab Emirates

Priju Dominic

CEO & Founding Partner · Dominic & Partners Chartered Accountants LLC · Dubai

Armed with two decades of rich experience spanning across diverse industries and verticals, I have garnered the trust and admiration of many valued relationships. Audit & Assurance, Consulting, Risk Advisory and Tax pra…

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  1. WONE GlobalWorks out what you need, finds the right firm, checks it can act and coordinates work that crosses borders.
  2. The named firmGives the advice and does the work under its own licence and insurance, and invoices you for it.
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