Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities

Published: 17 July 2025

Response deadline: 17 October 2025

Consultation document
Links to PDFs open in new tabs
Title Guidance for audits of smaller and/or less complex entities: Practice note Invitation to comment
Format pdf, 2.1 MB

Overview

The FRC has launched a consultation on a Practice Note to support auditors in the application of International Standards of Auditing (ISAs) UK when auditing smaller and/or less complex entities.

This consultation is part of the FRC’s year-long SME campaign and incorporates feedback which was received from stakeholders as part of the first phase of the SME audit market study.

The Practice Note provides guidance on areas identified where further guidance on scalability and proportionality could be helpful when auditing smaller and/or less complex entities.

Documents
Name Guidance for audits of smaller and/or less complex entities: Practice Note Exposure Draft
Publication date 17 July 2025
Type Consultation paper
Format PDF, 1.9 MB

24 March 2026 update

The FRC has published 'Practice Note 28: Guidance for audits of small and medium-sized entities' as part of our broader campaign to support UK SMEs to access audit services and secure the capital they need for growth. A Practice Note Exposure Draft was published for consultation on 17 July 2025 and a Feedback Statement on the responses received accompanies its release.

This Practice Note provides guidance to auditors on how to apply the requirements of the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) (UK) to the audit of financial statements of small and medium-sized entities in a scalable, proportionate, and effective way. Across 2026, the FRC will engage with audit firms and the Recognised Supervisory to support its organisations implement the Practice Note into their activities.

Documents
Name Practice Note 28: Guidance for audits of small and medium-sized entities
Publication date 24 March 2026
Type Practice note
Format PDF, 4.0 MB
Name Feedback Statement and Impact Assessment - Practice Note 28
Publication date 24 March 2026
Type Feedback paper
Format PDF, 1.2 MB. View HTML version

Consultation responses

Responses received
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Title 01 ACCA Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 697.1 KB
Title 02 Azets Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 373.7 KB
Title 03 Caseware International Inc Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 243.9 KB
Title 04 Chartered Accountants Ireland Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 353.3 KB
Title 05 Crowe UK LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 571.1 KB
Title 06 Deloitte LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 75.9 KB
Title 07 Duncan & Toplis Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 75.5 KB
Title 08 Forvis Mazars LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 188.1 KB
Title 09 Grant Thornton UK LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 229.8 KB
Title 10 Group A Firms Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 137.8 KB
Title 11 HaysMac LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 152.1 KB
Title 12 ICAEW Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 244.9 KB
Title 13 ICAS Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 295.4 KB
Title 14 KPMG LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 381.2 KB
Title 15 Kreston Global Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and or/less complex entities
Format pdf, 1017.2 KB
Title 16 M Jones Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 131.1 KB
Title 17 M Jones Supplementary Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 207.7 KB
Title 18 Mercia Group Ltd Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 211.9 KB
Title 19 Moore Kingston Smith LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 228.9 KB
Title 20 Price Bailey LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 783.9 KB
Title 21 Saffery LLP Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 185.3 KB
Title 22 The Association of Investment Companies Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 299.8 KB
Title 23 The Association of Practising Accountants Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 181.1 KB
Title 24 The Society of Professional Accountants Ltd Response to Consultation on Practice Note to support the audit of smaller and/or less complex entities
Format pdf, 243.8 KB

Consultation status: closed