We are proud to announce that our Head of Audit, Fred Norman, has been named in Accountancy Age & AJ Chamber’s 35 under 35.
The 35 under 35 list recognises young talent from across UK accounting firms and puts the spotlight on stand-out individuals who are challenging the status quo in the industry.
Since joining Harold Sharp in November, Fred has achieved his RI status, grown the team, committed to the firm’s values and enhanced the firm’s reputation as a trusted auditor both in the eyes of clients and other audit firms.
His technical expertise, drive to innovate and dedication to the audit profession make him a role model in the accounting and audit space.
WINNER: Fred Norman, Head of Audit, Harold Sharp
“Fred is fast becoming a notable figure in the audit sector. He rapidly advanced to Audit Senior Manager within five years at PwC, achieved his Responsible Individual (RI) status at 29, and is set to become Harold Sharp’s youngest shareholder.
Driven by his commitment to audit, Fred joined Harold Sharp as Head of Audit in November 2023 with the goal of achieving his RI status within 12 months. He accomplished this in April 2024, seven months ahead of schedule, demonstrating his deep understanding of auditing standards and ethics and his commitment to maintaining high-quality audit work.
In the past five months, Fred has doubled the size of the Harold Sharp audit team. His extensive knowledge of UK audit standards and his reputation for audit excellence have helped him build a strong pipeline of work to meet growing capacity. He leads significant audits, including the £25,000 audit of a network of 60 Estate Agency franchise offices and the £100,000 group audit of 16 companies in the care industry. Recently, he secured two complex audits in the Charity sector, and has enhanced the firm’s reputation as a trusted component auditor.
Fred also focuses on fostering a culture of continuous learning at Harold Sharp. He develops training sessions and materials to support his team’s professional growth, ensuring they stay current with audit methodologies.
Committed to improving processes for audit efficiency and client service, Fred conducted a comprehensive review of internal procedures upon joining Harold Sharp. He led the transition to cloud-based audit software to improve communication, data security, and efficiency, and is continually exploring ethical AI solutions to streamline tasks and allow for more strategic work.
Fred’s technical expertise, drive to innovate, and dedication to the audit profession make him a role model in the accounting and audit space. He is committed to shaping the future of audit and is an exemplary figure in his field.”
More about the Harold Sharp Audit Team
With nearly 100 years of history, Harold Sharp is a leading independent accountancy and business advisory practice located in South Manchester that supports ambitious clients across the UK.
Our experienced audit team is dedicated to helping businesses manage potential risks and improve performance through the delivery of comprehensive audit and assurance services. We specialise in external audits, component audits and non-statutory audits across a broad spectrum of industries. Additionally, we have extensive experience of advising the UK subsidiaries of overseas parent companies.
Our team’s goal extends beyond just validating financial statements; we aim to provide insights into reporting mechanisms and processes to help strengthen controls and avoid future errors in reporting. Ultimately, we assist clients to reduce risk and to run their business smarter.
To find out more about the Harold Sharp Audit Team, contact Fred Norman below.
Fred Norman, Head of Audit
T: 0161 905 1616
E: fn@haroldsharp.co.uk