Rethinking Audit: Why Realism, Consistency and Trust Matter More Than Ever

By Andy Collyer, Head of Audit, Burgess Hodgson

Summary: What is changing in the audit profession in 2026?

The audit profession is undergoing major change driven by economic uncertainty, regulatory reform and rapid technological development. Mid‑market businesses increasingly want audits that deliver insight, efficiency and trust, rather than basic statutory compliance.

At Burgess Hodgson, our audit philosophy is built on three core principles: realism, consistency and trust. These are no longer “nice to have”; they are essential to meeting modern expectations.

1. The State of the Audit Market in 2026

The UK audit landscape is shifting, with pressure points emerging across the profession.

Key market trends

• Fee growth is slowing as firms wait for clarity on audit reform.
• Registered audit firms fell by 6.9%, despite a rise in new applications – indicating consolidation and increased competition.
• Non Big‑ Four audit income growth has slipped from 23%+ in previous years to 15.4%, signalling a sharper focus on efficiency and cost control.

These changes create a more challenging environment for finance teams. With regulatory expectations rising and audit inflation growing, clients now place greater weight on transparency, stability and value for money.

2. Why are clients increasingly frustrated with Audit?

Many of the issues we hear from business owners and finance teams are longstanding, but now more visible.

Common audit pain points

• A lack of continuity from year to year
• Transactional rather than relationship‑led audits
• Limited senior involvement
• Rigid timetables and generic testing methods
• Limited guidance when issues arise
• Rising fees without clear explanation
• A perception that “the clock starts ticking” with every question

These frustrations directly affect confidence, efficiency and trust.

3. How do you build trust in Audit?

Trust is earned not through promises, but through consistent behaviours.

Our approach at Burgess Hodgson

Consistent audit teams:
We use a dedicated, qualified team that stays with clients year after year. This creates familiarity, insight and better‑focused audit work.

Senior involvement from planning to completion:
Partners and directors remain actively engaged throughout the audit cycle, ensuring early identification of issues and avoiding last‑minute surprises.

Transparent and fair fees:
We rarely charge for overruns unless delays are client‑driven, and we communicate early. We do not bill for simple conversations. Our culture is intentionally open and approachable.

4. How is technology – especially AI – changing audit?

AI‑driven data interrogation is transforming audit quality and efficiency.

Benefits of a technology‑enabled audit

• Full‑dataset testing rather than small samples
• Fewer information requests to finance teams
• Faster identification of anomalies and risks
• More consistent processes year over year

Technology enhances the audit but does not replace judgement. The real value lies in combining intelligent tools with experienced auditors.

5. What should an Audit deliver today?

A modern audit should provide more than assurance.

A valuable audit delivers:

• Clear, practical insights
• Confirmation of what works well
• Realistic expectations and flexibility
• Guidance grounded in commercial reality
• Open communication without fear of cost

Audits should be supportive, not burdensome.

6. Why realism matters in Audit scheduling

Businesses do not operate according to perfect timetables and audits should reflect that.

We adopt a flexible yet structured approach, adjusting to genuine delays without punitive overruns. This keeps audits moving while respecting operational realities.

7. The future of Audit: what comes next?

Audit is moving toward:

• More continuous forms of assurance
• Greater use of technology and data analytics
• Increased strategic relevance
• Higher expectations around service quality

At Burgess Hodgson, we are not simply reacting to these changes, we are shaping our audit model around what clients genuinely value.

Conclusion: The foundations of modern Audit

Realism, consistency and trust are not abstract principles. They are the foundation of a high quality‑ audit relationship, and the qualities finance leaders increasingly demand.

Firms that embrace these values will thrive. Those that do not will fall behind.

Andrew Collyer
Senior Statutory Auditor & Head of Audit

Andrew leads our audit practice with a focus on realism, consistency and trust. He ensures every audit is delivered with strong technical quality, clear communication and minimal disruption. Clients benefit from stable teams, senior involvement and transparent fees.

ac@burgesshodgson.co.uk