The statutory audit concept in the UK
A UK company has a board of directors (the agents) and a body of shareholders (the
principals). The directors have been delegated responsibility for managing the affairs of the
company. Control of a company may be divorced from its ownership.
In effect, directors act as trustees for shareholders. They are bound by certain duties that
are established in common law and under statute. Currently directors’ fiduciary duties,
such as acting in good faith and in the best interests of the company, are found in
common law. The Companies Act 1985 prescribes clear statutory responsibilities for
directors in respect of the company accounts and administration of the company. In
addition, the Company Law Reform Bill (introduced in the House of Lords in November
2005) includes clauses on directors’ general duties to help both directors and shareholders
understand these duties.