(pictured left to right): Vipul Sheth, Managing Director at AdvanceTrack (award category sponsor), Charlotte Hinchcliffe (Managing Director), Fiona Illingworth (Associate Director – Marketing), Fred Norman (Director of Audit Compliance), Suzi Ruffell (comedian and award host)
Harold Sharp has been named Audit Team of the Year at the prestigious 2025 Accounting Excellence Awards.
Director of Audit Compliance, Fred Norman – recognised in Accountancy Age’s 35 under 35 2024 for his exceptional audit talent – accepted the accolade on behalf of the team at the awards ceremony.
The award celebrates firms and teams who are setting the benchmark for audit excellence at a time of significant change for the profession. Judges were looking for evidence of progressive culture, leadership, innovation and a demonstrable commitment to audit quality. Harold Sharp’s audit team stood out as the national winner, with judges praising the entry as:
“A very strong entry, particularly in terms of educating SMEs on audit necessity and maintaining professional boundaries. They demonstrated an inspiring commitment to team development and client education, whilst also navigating financial reporting change with confidence and agility.”
Over the past year, Harold Sharp’s audit portfolio has grown by almost 20%, reflecting strong demand for its expertise across a range of sectors. The expansion has driven the growth of the audit team, which remains committed to further strengthening its offering as the wider firm also continues to scale.
Commenting on the win, Fred Norman said:
“To be recognised at a national level is testament to our team’s focus and innovation. We believe audit should be more than just a compliance requirement – it’s an opportunity for internal insight and growth. Our independence means we can stay laser-focused on quality and long-term value for clients.”
The award highlights Harold Sharp’s ability to combine technical rigour with a progressive, people-first culture. Through continuous process review, staff development and client-focused innovation, the audit team has established itself as a national leader in audit quality.
Managing Director Charlotte Hinchcliffe added:
“Winning Audit Team of the Year reinforces that our audit practice is forward-thinking, ambitious and committed to quality – it’s fantastic recognition for the team. But the accolade also reflects our firm-wide investment in culture, standards and success. We’re proud to be setting the benchmark for what outstanding audit looks like.”
The Accounting Excellence Awards took place at the Roundhouse in London on 30 September 2025 and was hosted by comedian Suzi Ruffell. In addition to securing Audit Team of the Year, Harold Sharp was shortlisted for Mid-Tier Firm of the Year for the third consecutive year, while Managing Director Charlotte Hinchcliffe was also shortlisted Practice Leader of the Year.