What are they?
You must file a set of accounts for each financial year. Usually these relate to the 12 month period up to the company’s last accounting reference date and consist of:
- a profit and loss account
- a balance sheet signed by a director on behalf of the board
- notes to the accounts
- a directors’ report signed by a secretary or director
- an auditors’ report signed by the auditors (unless the company is exempt from audit).
When do I submit them?
Once the accounts have been signed off by the directors and a copy sent to the company’s members, you must file them with Companies House (if the company is registered in England and Wales you must file them with Companies House in Cardiff, while you must file them with Companies House in Edinburgh if the company is registered in Scotland).
Existing companies: you must file the accounts within nine months of each accounting reference date.
New companies: you must file your first set of accounts within 21 months of the incorporation date.
If you miss the deadline, Companies House can prosecute you or close down your company.
Is there a fee payable?
There is no fee payable for filing accounts.