Audit & Assurance Services in Ireland

Statutary Audit | Voluntary Audit | Compliance Advisory

If your company has reached the audit threshold — or you simply want independent reassurance — Forti helps you navigate the audit process with clarity and confidence.

We don’t treat audit as a tick-box exercise. We help directors understand what the numbers actually mean, where the risks are, and how to stay protected.

What Is a Statutory Audit in Ireland?

A statutory audit is an independent review of your company’s financial statements to confirm they present a true and fair view under the Companies Act 2014 and Irish GAAP (FRS 102 or FRS 105). For some companies, an audit is legally required. For others, it becomes necessary after losing audit exemption. Either way, it’s about accountability, transparency, and protecting directors.

An audit provides

Not sure if you require an audit?

Speak with our team and we’ll review your position.

Does Your Company Require an Audit?

Many directors are unsure whether they qualify for audit exemption — or whether late CRO filings have triggered a mandatory audit requirement.

Under Irish company law, most small companies qualify for audit exemption if they meet two of the following:

However, exemption can be lost if:

We review your eligibility properly before any engagement, so you understand exactly where you stand.

Audit for E-Commerce & High-Volume Businesses

E-commerce audits require specialist attention. Payment processors, Amazon settlements, Stripe clearing accounts, and international VAT all create audit risk if not reconciled properly.

Our Audit Services

Statutory Audit Coordination

If your company requires a statutory audit, we manage the preparation process and collaborate with independent registered statutory auditors who issue the audit opinion. We prepare compliant financial statements, reconcile key balances, and organise documentation so the audit runs smoothly. This reduces delays, unnecessary queries, and director stress. We oversee:

Financial statement preparation
Internal control review
Director compliance review
Risk assessment
Auditor coordination

Voluntary Audits

Even if you qualify for exemption, some businesses choose audit to strengthen credibility. A voluntary audit can help with:

Bank funding applications
Investor discussions
Tender submissions
Governance improvements
Group reporting

We prepare your records to audit standard and coordinate with independent auditors to ensure a structured, professional outcome.

Audit Preparation & Readiness

Many audits become stressful simply because preparation is weak. Poor records increase costs, delays, and risk exposure. We conduct a pre-audit diagnostic to ensure your numbers are defensible before the auditor reviews them. We provide:

Pre-audit financial review
Bookkeeping corrections
Revenue reconciliation checks
VAT integrity testing
Balance sheet clean-up
Documentation alignment

Audit Exemption Protection

Losing audit exemption can significantly increase costs. Often, it happens simply due to late CRO filings or compliance gaps. We monitor deadlines, maintain accurate books, and structure reporting to help protect your exemption status wherever possible. Prevention is always more cost-effective than recovery.

Audit vs Accounts Preparation

Many directors assume accounts preparation and audit are the same. They are not.

Audit

Accounts Preparation

We explain the difference clearly so you understand what level of assurance your business actually has.

Our Audit Approach

We follow a clear, structured, and methodical process to ensure accuracy, compliance, and confidence at every stage

Risk assessment

We identify financial, operational, and regulatory risks early — so potential issues are addressed before they escalate.

Control testing

Review and evaluate your internal controls to ensure systems are reliable, documented, and functioning properly.

Substantive financial testing

Detailed testing of transactions, balances, and supporting documentation to validate the accuracy of your financial statements.

Compliance verification

Confirm alignment with Irish statutory requirements, Revenue obligations, and applicable reporting standards.

Director discussion

Structured discussions with directors to clarify findings, review adjustments, and ensure full transparency before finalisation.

Independent audit opinion issuance

Final coordination to support the issuance of a clear, independent audit opinion with confidence.

Why Choose Forti?

We don’t replace independent auditors — we collaborate with them.

Our role is to prepare, protect, and position your company properly before the formal audit takes place.

Independent auditor collaboration model

We work closely with your appointed auditors to ensure all documentation, reconciliations, and explanations are audit-ready, reducing back-and-forth and delays.

Irish regulatory expertise

Deep understanding of Irish compliance, CRO filings, Revenue requirements, and statutory obligations to ensure your business meets all local regulations.

AI-powered bookkeeping integration

Smart bookkeeping systems powered by AI to maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records and detect inconsistencies early.

Real-time financial dashboards

Live dashboards that give you instant visibility into cash flow, expenses, liabilities, and financial performance — no surprises at audit time.

Revenue-focused compliance checks

Compliance reviews designed not just to meet regulations, but to protect margins, avoid penalties, and identify potential tax efficiencies.

Audit & Director Responsibilities

Directors remain legally responsible for maintaining proper books and records.

An audit tests compliance — but preparation protects outcomes.

Directors are responsible for:

We ensure directors understand their exposure and obligations before the audit begins.

Who We Work With

We typically support:

If you are growing, restructuring, or preparing for funding — audit clarity becomes increasingly important.

Limited companies approaching €1m+ turnover

Companies that have lost audit exemption

Businesses preparing for funding

Directors seeking reassurance

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my company actually need a statutory audit in Ireland?

Most small companies in Ireland don’t need a statutory audit — but it depends on your size and your compliance history. Generally, you can claim audit exemption if you meet two out of three conditions:

Turnover under €12 million
Balance sheet under €6 million
Fewer than 50 employees

However, exemption can be lost very easily — especially if CRO filings are late, if you’re part of a group, or if shareholders request an audit. If you’re unsure, don’t guess. It’s always better to check before year-end than to discover too late that an audit is mandatory.

What happens if we lose audit exemption?

This is more common than people realise. If audit exemption is lost (usually because of late CRO filings), your company must go through a full statutory audit. That means appointing a registered auditor and undergoing an independent review of your financial statements. It increases costs, time, and pressure on directors. And in most cases, you won’t regain exemption immediately — you typically need to file compliant returns for at least two consecutive years. The key is prevention. Once exemption is gone, it’s difficult to undo quickly.

What’s the real difference between an audit and accounts preparation?

This causes confusion all the time. Accounts preparation means your accountant prepares financial statements based on your records. An audit goes further — it independently checks whether those financial statements are accurate and give a true and fair view. An audit involves testing controls, checking transactions, verifying balances, and issuing a formal audit opinion. Prepared accounts do not come with that independent assurance. So if your accounts are prepared but not audited, they haven’t been independently verified.

How long does an audit usually take?

For most SMEs, a statutory audit takes between 4 and 8 weeks. That timeline depends on how organised your records are. If bookkeeping is clean and reconciled, things move smoothly. If documents are missing or accounts aren’t aligned, delays happen. The audit itself isn’t usually the problem — preparation is. That’s why structured audit readiness makes such a difference.

How much does a statutory audit cost in Ireland?

Audit fees vary depending on:

Your turnover
Transaction volume
Industry complexity
Whether you’re part of a group
How clean your books are

A simple SME audit will cost less than a high-transaction e-commerce or multi-entity structure. The biggest factor that drives up audit cost? Disorganised records. Preparation reduces fees and stress.

Do online and e-commerce businesses need special audit attention?

Yes — and this is where many businesses run into trouble. Online businesses often have:

Stripe or PayPal clearing accounts
Amazon FBA settlements
Shopify sales data
Multi-currency transactions
VAT OSS reporting
Inventory movement

Auditors look closely at revenue completeness and VAT treatment in e-commerce businesses. If payment processors aren’t reconciled properly, audit findings are common. Specialist preparation is essential for online businesses.

Will having a statutory audit trigger a Revenue audit?

No — a statutory audit does not automatically trigger a Revenue audit. However, during the audit, weaknesses in VAT, payroll, or controls may be identified. Fixing those early actually reduces Revenue risk in the long run. Think of audit as strengthening your compliance foundation — not increasing your exposure.

What documents will we need to provide for an audit?

Auditors typically ask for:

Trial balance and general ledger
Bank reconciliations
VAT returns and Revenue reconciliations
Debtors and creditors listings
Inventory reports
Fixed asset register
Director loan account breakdown
Loan agreements and contracts

The more organised these are, the smoother the audit. If records are incomplete or messy, the process becomes more stressful and expensive.

What are directors personally responsible for during an audit?

This is important. Directors are legally responsible for maintaining proper books and records — not the auditor. An audit tests whether those responsibilities have been met. Directors must ensure:

Records are complete
Filings are on time
Financial statements are accurate
Full disclosure is provided

An audit protects directors when systems are strong — but preparation protects outcomes.

Book an Audit Consultation

Speak with our audit specialists to plan, prepare, and protect your business from compliance issues.