District Audit staff forming an employee mutual have teamed up with Mazars LLP, an international accountancy firm to boost their bid for work being tendered by soon to be abolished Audit Commission.

Led by Gareth Davies, currently on leave from his role head of audit practice at the Commission, DA Partnership's bid, if successful would combine the expertise of Audit Commission professional staff with Mazars' capabilities and technical infrastructure.

Under the partnership it is thought district auditors would retain about 75% of dividend bearing shares, with the firms operating independently but with close links, sharing costs and staff where possible.