This practical guide presents audit and assurance companies serving businesses and organisations across Cheshire, rather than ranking them from first to last. The selection ranges from larger companies with broad audit, accounting and advisory capabilities to more focused specialists working with particular sectors or assurance requirements. Each company brings a different mix of services, client experience, geographic reach and professional expertise. The overview gives useful context on who these companies are, the types of clients they serve and the strengths relevant to different audit and assurance needs. It is designed to make comparison easier and support a more informed choice.
Acumon
Acumon is a UK company of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing audit and assurance services to companies, charities, regulated organisations, and international corporate groups.
The company works with organisations at different stages of development, from owner-managed businesses preparing for their first statutory audit through to established corporate groups with more complex financial reporting requirements. Audit engagements are structured around applicable UK auditing standards and a risk-based approach to financial reporting and controls.
For organisations in Cheshire, audit and assurance requirements can arise from statutory thresholds, group reporting obligations, lender or investor requirements, regulatory responsibilities, or changes in ownership and corporate structure. Acumon can support Cheshire-based organisations without requiring the audit relationship to be limited to a company with a physical office in the county.
Acumon’s audit capabilities also extend to Public Interest Entities (PIEs) and other regulated organisations. Its PIE audit licence allows the company to undertake audit work for entities subject to enhanced regulatory requirements in the UK, where additional standards of audit quality, independence, and oversight apply.
International operations can add another layer of complexity for Cheshire businesses that form part of overseas groups or maintain subsidiaries, holding companies, or investment structures in other jurisdictions. Acumon holds audit licences in several international financial centres, supporting engagements involving entities across the UK and offshore jurisdictions.
Acumon works with finance teams, management, and boards to address statutory audit and wider assurance requirements while providing an independent view of financial reporting, governance, risk, and internal controls. This combination can be relevant to Cheshire organisations undergoing growth, investment, restructuring, or expansion into new markets.
Audit and Assurance Capabilities
Acumon provides audit and assurance services for organisations with different reporting, governance, and regulatory requirements.
These include:
- UK Limited companies and corporate groups
- Public Interest Entities (PIEs) and regulated organisations
- Cheshire Businesses approaching statutory audit requirements
- Charities and not-for-profit organisations
- International Groups with UK subsidiaries or holding structures
- Offshore Companies and investment vehicles
Audit and assurance engagements are typically led by senior professionals who remain directly involved throughout the assignment, from planning and risk assessment through to reporting and discussions with management.
Regulatory Licences and Registrations
Acumon holds audit registrations and licences that support work with UK organisations and international corporate structures.
These include:
- UK Statutory audit registration
- Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence
- Jersey Audit licence
- Isle Of Man audit licence
- Cayman Islands Audit licence
- British Virgin Islands Audit licence
These registrations allow Acumon to work with organisations whose audit and assurance requirements extend beyond a single UK entity, including groups combining UK operations with companies based in international financial centres.
Core Services
Acumon’s audit practice covers statutory engagements as well as broader assurance, governance, and risk-related requirements.
These include:
- Statutory External audit
- Group And subsidiary audits
- Public Interest Entity (PIE) audits
- Charity And not-for-profit audit
- International Group audit coordination
- Internal Audit and governance reviews
- Risk Management and compliance support
Audit and assurance work can provide more than confirmation that statutory reporting obligations have been addressed. The engagement may also identify matters relating to financial reporting processes, governance arrangements, documentation, and internal controls that management and boards need to consider.
For Cheshire businesses, the need for an external auditor can become more significant as operations expand, reporting structures become more complex, or the organisation moves beyond available audit exemptions. Assurance requirements can also arise before a statutory audit becomes mandatory, particularly where shareholders, lenders, investors, or group management require greater confidence in financial information.
Acumon works with organisations that are:
- Approaching Their first statutory audit
- Preparing For external investment or financing
- Expanding Into international markets
- Operating Within multi-entity corporate groups
Early engagement with an audit and assurance company can give finance teams more time to prepare records, review reporting processes, address documentation gaps, and establish a clear timetable before the formal audit begins.
Contact Information
- Website: acumon.com
- Phone: 020 8567 3451
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
WR Partners
WR Partners has a direct presence in Cheshire, with offices including Northwich and Nantwich. The firm provides audit and assurance services alongside accounting, tax, forensic accounting and business advisory work. Its Cheshire audit team works with owner-managed businesses, larger corporate clients and academy trusts.
Audit services are designed around the organisation’s size and circumstances rather than a single standard engagement model. WR Partners also has specialist experience with charities and not-for-profit organisations, including accounts, independent examinations and audit requirements.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Owner-managed businesses, corporate clients, charities and academies
- Core services: Audit and assurance, accounting, forensic accounting, tax
- Specialization: Regional audit services with dedicated Cheshire expertise
- Location: Northwich and Nantwich, Cheshire
- Notable strength: Dedicated Cheshire audit leadership
Contact Information
- Website: wrpartners.co.uk
- Phone: 01743 273273
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6LG
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/wr-partners-uk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wraccountants
Banks Sheridan
Banks Sheridan is a Crewe-based accountancy and tax practice serving corporate and commercial clients ranging from smaller businesses to larger companies. Audit sits alongside accountancy, tax compliance, tax planning, business advisory and payroll services.
The practice is registered to carry out statutory audit work and describes a process that includes understanding the organisation, examining accounting records, verifying balances and testing internal controls. Its combination of local presence and broader accounting services can suit Cheshire businesses looking to keep audit, accounts and tax support within one practice.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: SMEs and corporate businesses
- Core services: Statutory audit, accountancy, tax, corporate finance
- Specialization: Business audit and financial compliance
- Location: Crewe, Cheshire
- Audit registration: Registered for audit work with ICAEW
Contact Information
- Website: www.banks-sheridan.co.uk
- Phone: 01270 530970
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Datum House, Electra Way, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6ZF
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/banks-sheridan
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BanksSheridanAccountants
- Twitter: x.com/bankssheridan
Murray Smith
Murray Smith is an independent Northwich practice providing accounting, audit, tax, payroll and business support services to SMEs across the North West. The firm also maintains dedicated expertise in education, charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Its audit and assurance work includes external audit, while its education team works with sixth form colleges and multi-academy trusts. For charities, services include external audits, independent examinations and advice on financial procedures and systems. Murray Smith is registered with ICAEW to carry on audit work in the UK.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: SMEs, education organisations, charities and not-for-profits
- Core services: Audit and assurance, accounting, tax, business support
- Specialization: Education and not-for-profit audit
- Location: Northwich, Cheshire
- Audit registration: ICAEW registered
Contact Information
- Website: murraysmith.com
- Phone: 01606 79411
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Darland House, 44 Winnington Hill, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1AU
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/murray-smith-chartered-accountants
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MurraySmithCA
- Twitter: x.com/MurraySmithCA
Harts
Harts is a Macclesfield accountancy practice with a dedicated accounts and audit team. Its audit work ranges from manager-owned entities to larger UK subsidiaries of overseas-owned businesses, with an emphasis on understanding the organisation’s systems, controls and significant audit risks.
The practice also prepares statutory accounts, consolidated group accounts and bespoke subsidiary reports. Harts confirms that it is eligible to conduct statutory audits under the Companies Act 2006 and is registered with ICAEW for audit work in the UK.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Owner-managed companies and UK subsidiaries
- Core services: Audit, statutory accounts, group accounts, bookkeeping
- Specialization: Corporate audit and accounting
- Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire
- Audit registration: ICAEW registered
Contact Information
- Website: harts-ltd.com
- Phone: 01625 669669
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 10 Westminster Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1BX
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/harts-limited
JS
JS provides audit services from its Warrington and Liverpool offices. Its Warrington operation is based at Stonecross Business Park and supports organisations with audit, financial reporting and wider compliance requirements.
Beyond conventional financial statement audit work, the firm’s assurance experience includes grant claim audits, independent examinations for charities, governance reports, academy-related assurance, systems and controls reviews and Solicitors Accounts Rules assignments. It also works with overseas groups requiring reporting and compliance support for UK subsidiaries.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Companies, charities, academies and international groups
- Core services: Audit, financial reporting, specialist assurance
- Specialization: Group reporting and sector-specific assurance
- Location: Warrington, Cheshire
- Audit registration: JS Audit Limited is ICAEW registered
Contact Information
- Website: www.jacksonstephen.co.uk
- Phone: 01942 292500
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: James House, Stonecross Business Park, Yew Tree Way, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 3JD
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jackson-stephen-llp
- Twitter: x.com/jsllp
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/js.accountancy
Langer & Co
Langer & Co is a Cheadle-based firm of Chartered Certified Accountants offering audit and assurance alongside accounting, tax and business services. The firm is registered as an auditor in the UK by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Its audit practice undertakes statutory audits and other assurance assignments, with the process also used to identify weaknesses and strengths in business procedures and controls. Specialist work includes accountant reports for solicitors and audits for letting agents, making the firm relevant where standard company audit needs sit alongside narrower reporting requirements.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: SMEs and organisations requiring specialist audit reports
- Core services: Statutory audit, audit and assurance, accounting
- Specialization: SME and specialist assurance assignments
- Location: Cheadle
- Audit registration: ACCA registered auditor
Contact Information
- Website: www.langer.co.uk
- Phone: 0161 491 3788
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 8-10 Gatley Road, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 1PY
Marshall & Co
Marshall & Co is based in Alsager and explicitly serves clients across Staffordshire, Cheshire and surrounding areas. The practice is registered to carry out audit work in the UK through ICAEW and combines audit with accounting, tax and business support services.
Its audit process includes reviewing financial controls, working practices and business systems, with attention to whether existing processes remain appropriate as an organisation develops. This gives the engagement a broader operational perspective alongside the financial reporting requirement.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Small and owner-managed businesses
- Core services: Audit, accounting, tax and business advice
- Specialization: Financial controls and business systems
- Geographic coverage: Cheshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas
- Audit registration: ICAEW registered
Contact Information
- Website: www.marshallaccountancy.co.uk
- Phone: 01270 882 300
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: St Mary’s House, Crewe Road, Alsager, Stoke-On-Trent ST7 2EW
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/marshall-co-chartered-accountants-and-registered-auditors
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/marshallaccountancy
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/marshallaccountancy
Mitchell Charlesworth
Mitchell Charlesworth has offices in Chester and Widnes as part of a wider North West network. Audit and accounts form a central part of its service offering, with a dedicated audit department available for larger clients.
Its audit and assurance practice covers statutory requirements as well as voluntary audits for organisations seeking greater confidence in financial reporting. The firm also provides sector and business advisory services, and current audit registration records show Cheshire locations in Chester, Widnes and Stockport.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Growing businesses, larger organisations and charities
- Core services: Audit and assurance, accounting, business advisory
- Specialization: Corporate and charity audit
- Locations: Chester and Widnes, with additional North West offices
- Audit registration: ICAEW registered
Contact Information
- Website: www.mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk
- Phone: 01244 323051
- Address: Maple House, park west, Sealand Rd, Chester CH1 4RN
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mitchell-charlesworth
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mitcharlesworth
Dains – HURST
Dains operates in the North West primarily through HURST, which has teams in Manchester and Stockport. HURST joined the Dains Group in 2026 and provides audit, tax advisory, corporate finance and business advisory services to owner-managed, international and private equity-backed businesses.
Audit and assurance remains a core part of the practice. The Stockport operation provides a useful option for businesses in northern and eastern parts of Cheshire seeking a larger regional audit team with access to the broader resources of a multi-office group. HURST is registered with ICAEW to carry out audit work.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Owner-managed, international and PE-backed businesses
- Core services: Audit and assurance, tax, corporate finance, advisory
- Specialization: Mid-market and growth business audit
- Location: Stockport
- Audit registration: ICAEW registered
Contact Information
- Website: www.dains.com
- Phone: 0161 477 2474
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 3 Stockport Exchange, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 3GG
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dainsacc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DainsAcc
Alexander & Co
Alexander & Co operates from Manchester and London and provides audit and assurance services to businesses across the UK. Its Manchester location makes the firm accessible to Cheshire organisations, particularly those looking for a regional provider without requiring an office physically inside the county.
The audit practice works with growing owner-managed businesses, larger corporate groups and UK subsidiaries of overseas companies. Services include statutory and voluntary audits, while the firm’s international work includes coordination with overseas advisers and group reporting requirements.
Key Facts
- Ideal for: Owner-managed businesses, growth companies and international groups
- Core services: Statutory audit, voluntary audit, assurance, accounting
- Specialization: UK subsidiaries and corporate audit
- Location: Manchester, serving businesses across the UK
- Notable strength: Audit combined with transactional and corporate advisory expertise
Contact Information
- Website: alexander.co.uk
- Phone: 0161 832 4841
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Centurion House, 129 Deansgate M3 3WR
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alexander-&-co-chartered-accountants
- Twitter: x.com/alexandercoMCR
Conclusion
Audit and assurance providers serving Cheshire vary considerably in scale and focus. Some maintain offices directly in Chester, Crewe, Northwich, Nantwich, Macclesfield or Warrington, while others provide Cheshire organisations with access to larger regional or UK-wide audit teams.
The right fit depends on the engagement itself. A straightforward statutory company audit may call for a different provider from a group audit, charity assignment, regulatory review or broader internal risk and assurance programme. Comparing sector experience, audit registration, team structure and the range of assurance services available can help narrow the options.