Company Formation FAQ - Accounts for Companies House

Are the accounts filed with Companies House different to the accounts prepared for the members?

You can simply file a copy of the accounts that you have already prepared for the members/shareholders at Companies House. However small and medium-sized companies may file an abbreviated version of those accounts which contain reduced detail.

Do all companies have to file their accounts at Companies House?

All private limited and public companies must file their accounts at Companies House. Unlimited companies need only deliver accounts to Companies House if, at any time during the period covered by the accounts: -

1. The company was a subsidiary undertaking or a parent of a limited undertaking;

2. The company was a banking or insurance company (or the parent company of a banking or insurance company); or

3. Each of the company's members was: -

• A limited company;
• Another unlimited company each of whose members was a limited company; or
• A Scottish partnership each of whose members was a limited company.

Can I file the same accounts that I have already filed with HMRC?

Where the accounts meet Companies House requirements Companies Registrar will accept the accounts. However, these requirements are not the same as HMRC's and this may mean that you will need to prepare separate accounts for each. There are also different filing deadlines and penalties for late filing.

Do I still need to file my accounts with HMRC or Charity Commission, or Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator?

Yes. The accounts filed at Companies House are in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. You must still file with other regulatory bodies according to their requirements and filing deadlines.

Will Companies House give a technical advice on accounts?

No. Companies Registrar can only give general guidance, not technical advice on specific accounting or legal issues. Your accounts are subject to legal requirements, and Companies House is not qualified to give specialist advice. You may wish to consider consulting an accountant if you need this sort of advice (you can contact us regarding this issue).

How long do I have to file my company's first accounts?

If you are filing your company's first accounts and those accounts cover a period of more than 12 months, you must deliver them to Companies House: -

• Within 21 months of the date of incorporation for private companies; or
• Within 18 months of the date of incorporation for public companies; or
• 3 months from the accounting reference date, whichever is longer.

The deadline for delivery to Companies House is calculated to the exact day.

For example, a private company incorporated on 1 January 2009 with an accounting reference date of 31 January has until midnight on 1 October 2010 (21 months from the date of incorporation) to deliver its accounts, not 31 October.

If the first accounts cover a period of 12 months or less, the normal times allowed for delivering accounts apply.

How long do I normally have to file my accounts?

Unless you are filing your company's first accounts the time normally allowed for delivering accounts to Companies House is: -

• 9 months from the accounting reference date for a private company; or
• 6 months from the accounting reference date for a public company.