Commentary Part 16: Audit Chapter 4: Removal, Resignation, Etc of Auditors Section 525: Meaning of “appropriate audit authority” and “major audit”
805.This section defines two terms used in connection with the duty to inform the audit authority when an auditor leaves office, namely appropriate audit authority and major audit. The former means the Secretary of State, or the body to whom he has delegated functions in relation to the supervision of statutory auditors under Part 42, currently the Professional Oversight Board, part of the Financial Reporting Council organisation.
806.A major audit is defined as meaning the audit of a listed company, or of any other company where there is a major public interest. Whether there is a major public interest is to be determined by reference to guidance issued by any of the audit authorities. In practice, this will generally be guidance issued by the Financial Reporting Council.