amy hancock fcca

About me

You might know me better as Audit Amy. I'm the founder and director of Hancock & Hastings Limited, an ACCA Registered Audit Practice based in Bedfordshire, supporting businesses, charities and fellow accountants throughout the UK.

I've spent more than 20 years working in accountancy, audit and financial reporting, helping organisations understand their numbers, meet their regulatory requirements and navigate the challenges that come with growth.

Today, audit is a core part of what I do.

As a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), holding both an ACCA practising certificate and audit qualification, I lead statutory audits, charity audits, independent examinations and specialist assurance engagements for organisations across a range of sectors.

Why Audit?

People often ask why I chose to specialise in audit.

The honest answer is that I enjoy the challenge.

A good audit is about much more than compliance and tick boxes. It's about understanding how a business operates, challenging assumptions where necessary and providing confidence to shareholders, directors, trustees and stakeholders.

I enjoy building relationships with clients, understanding how their organisations work and helping them through a process that is often viewed as complicated or stressful.

My aim is to make audits feel structured, collaborative and beneficial rather than something to be feared.

A Different Approach to Audit

One of the advantages of working with Hancock & Hastings is that clients deal directly with the person responsible for the audit.

You won't find layers of departments or multiple handovers between teams.

I'm actively involved throughout every engagement and remain accessible throughout the process.

I believe good communication is one of the most important parts of a successful audit.

Clients should understand what is being requested, why it is needed and where the audit currently stands. They should never feel left in the dark.

Supporting Fellow Accountants

A significant part of my work involves supporting other accountancy firms.

Many firms do not hold audit registration or may have clients who suddenly require an audit due to growth, group reporting or regulatory requirements.

I work closely with accountants throughout the UK, providing independent audit services whilst respecting and protecting their client relationships.

I understand the trust involved when another accountant refers a client and I take that responsibility seriously.

My objective is always to be a trusted audit partner, not a competitor.

Sharing Knowledge Across the Profession

Beyond client work, I am actively involved in the wider accounting profession.

You may have seen me speaking at industry events, participating in webinars or appearing on podcasts discussing audit, practice ownership, technology and the future of accountancy.

I am involved with:

Bean Counter to Boss
Ask the Accountant Podcast Network
MTD Watch Series
QuickBooks Labs
Tech Labs
Pitstop Podcasts
Industry conferences and networking events

I believe the profession is strongest when people share knowledge, experiences and ideas, and I've always enjoyed being part of those conversations.

The Person Behind Audit Amy

Away from audit files and financial statements, I'm also a business owner, podcast host, volunteer and mum.

I understand the realities of running a business because I run one myself.

That perspective helps me appreciate the challenges faced by business owners, finance teams and fellow practitioners. Whilst audit standards and compliance are important, so are communication, commercial awareness and common sense.

I believe professional services don't need to be complicated or intimidating. People should feel comfortable asking questions and confident they are receiving honest advice.

Let's Have a Conversation

Whether you're a business looking for a statutory auditor, a charity requiring an audit or independent examination, or an accountant seeking a trusted audit partner, I'd be delighted to have a conversation.

If you'd like to learn more about how Hancock & Hastings can help, please get in touch.

Chartered Certified Accountants, Auditors and Business Advisors