WhatsappCompanies House Accounts Filing
Statutory Accounts Filed Accurately, On Time. Every Time.
Professional Companies House accounts filing for UK limited companies, growing businesses, and dormant entities across the UK. Stay fully compliant — without the stress, the guesswork, or the risk of costly penalties.
From preparing your full statutory accounts through to confirmed submission with Companies House, our qualified UK accountants handle every step with precision. Transparent fixed fees from £99. No surprises. No missed deadlines.
Trusted by 2,400+ UK companies. ICAEW-aligned practices. 100% compliance record. Dedicated accountant for every filing.
⚠️ Late filing penalties start from £150 and escalate automatically. Don't risk it — get your accounts filed today.
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What is Companies House Accounts Filing?
Every UK limited company is legally required to submit statutory accounts to Companies House each year. These are formal financial statements that give Companies House — and the public — a clear snapshot of your company's financial health for the period.
Statutory accounts are not the same as the management accounts you use to run your business day-to-day. They follow a strict legal format, must include specific financial statements, and must be approved and signed by a company director before submission.
Filing on time is not optional. Miss the deadline and penalties are issued automatically — escalating the longer you leave it. File incorrectly and Companies House can reject your submission entirely, pushing you closer to a financial penalty and a public compliance failure.
What statutory accounts typically include:
- Balance sheet showing the company's assets and liabilities at year-end
- Profit and loss account (for most company types)
- Notes to the accounts, including accounting policies
- Director's report (required for most companies)
- Auditor's report, where applicable
Quick Answer:
Most UK limited companies must file their annual accounts with Companies House within 9 months of their accounting year-end. For newly incorporated companies, the first accounts are typically due 21 months after incorporation.
Statutory Accounts vs Management Accounts — What Is the Difference?
Many UK directors use the terms interchangeably. They are not the same thing — and confusing them can lead to filing the wrong document with the wrong body at the wrong time.
| Statutory Accounts | Management Accounts | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Legal compliance — filed with Companies House and HMRC | Internal decision-making — not filed publicly |
| Frequency | Annually | Monthly or quarterly |
| Format | Strictly prescribed by law | Flexible — no set format required |
| Audience | Companies House, HMRC, and the public | Directors, investors, and management only |
| Legal requirement | Yes — mandatory for all UK limited companies | No — prepared by choice |
| Prepared by | Qualified accountant recommended | Can be prepared internally |
| Public record | Yes — visible on Companies House register | No — private to the business |
Statutory accounts are what Leadforce prepares and files on your behalf. Management accounts are a separate, internal tool — and whilst we can assist with those too, they are not what is required for your annual Companies House submission.
Why Filing Statutory Accounts Correctly and On Time Matters More Than Most Directors Realise
Who Is Required to File Company Accounts with Companies House?
Not All Company Accounts Are the Same — Find the Right Format for Your Business
What's Included in Our Statutory Accounts Service
We handle the full preparation and submission of your statutory accounts — from raw financial data through to confirmed filing with Companies House. Here is exactly what every engagement includes.
Balance Sheet and Financial Statements
A full, Companies House-compliant balance sheet showing your company's assets, liabilities, and net worth at your year-end date. Prepared to the correct format for your company size.
Profit and Loss Account
A detailed profit and loss account showing income, expenditure, and net profit or loss for the period. Prepared in the format required by your filing category.
Notes to the Accounts
All mandatory supplementary notes — including accounting policies, director remuneration disclosures, details of related party transactions, and any additional information required.
Director's Report
Where required, a properly worded Director's Report confirming the company's principal activities, a review of the year, and the directors' acknowledgment of their filing responsibilities.
iXBRL Tagging and Online Filing
We prepare your accounts in iXBRL format where required and submit them directly to Companies House via the official WebFiling portal.
Deadline Tracking and Reminders
Our team monitors your Annual Reference Date and sends proactive reminders at 90, 60, and 30 days before your deadline.
Companies House Filing Deadlines
Missing a deadline is costly and entirely avoidable. The table below sets out the key filing deadlines every UK company director must know.
| Filing Requirement | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First statutory accounts (new company) | 21 months after incorporation | Extended deadline for newly formed companies |
| Subsequent annual accounts | 9 months after accounting year-end | Applies to all active limited companies |
| Dormant company accounts | 9 months after accounting year-end | Simplified AA02 form accepted |
| Shortened accounting period | 9 months after the new shortened year-end | If you shorten your accounting period the 9-month rule applies from the new year-end date |
| Accounts following a change of accounting date | Extended or shortened period may apply | Contact Leadforce to confirm your specific deadline |
| Corporation Tax return (CT600) to HMRC | 12 months after accounting year-end | Separate filing — not the same as Companies House |
Your Annual Reference Date (ARD) is the date that anchors your deadline each year. It is set automatically when you incorporate — usually the last day of the month in which you registered. Leadforce tracks your ARD and alerts you in advance of every filing window.
Critical Changes to Companies House Filing You Need to Know About in 2026
The joint Companies House and HMRC "Company Accounts and Tax Online" service — known as CATO — has been permanently shut down as of 31 March 2026. If you or your accountant previously used CATO to file company accounts and tax returns together in a single submission, that route no longer exists. All filings must now be made through separate, updated channels. Companies that have not yet adapted their filing process risk missing deadlines simply because their usual method is no longer available.
Free web-based filing tools previously available through Companies House are being phased out. Businesses are now required to use HMRC-recognised commercial software to prepare and submit statutory accounts. For directors who previously filed independently using the basic online portal, this change removes the straightforward self-service route they relied upon. Sourcing, setting up, and learning approved software takes time — time that runs down against your filing deadline regardless.
Leadforce already operates with fully compliant commercial software across all filing categories. Our clients are entirely unaffected by this change and have not needed to alter a single step in their process.
The free, simple filing route that many UK directors have relied upon for years has effectively been closed off in 2026. The process is more complex, the tools have changed, and the penalties for getting it wrong remain exactly the same. For most businesses, the most practical and cost-effective response is to hand the filing to a professional service that is already set up, already compliant, and already filing accurately on behalf of clients every single day.
Late Filing Penalties for Companies House
There is no grace period. The moment your accounts are overdue, Companies House issues an automatic financial penalty — and the fine grows the longer the accounts remain unfiled. Penalties also double if you file late two years in a row.
| How Late? | Penalty (Private Company) | Penalty (Public Company) | Repeat Offence (Doubles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 month late | £150 | £750 | £300 |
| 1 to 3 months late | £375 | £1,500 | £750 |
| 3 to 6 months late | £750 | £3,000 | £1,500 |
| More than 6 months late | £1,500 | £7,500 | £3,000 |
Pricing for Companies House Accounts Filing
All prices shown exclude VAT. Not sure which package is right for you? Speak to a Leadforce accountant today and we will recommend the most appropriate option for your company type, size, and filing requirements — at no obligation.
Our Trusted Partner
We’ve partnered with leading financial and accounting providers to ensure a seamless Statutory Accounts filing process with Companies House.
Our integrations enable accurate financial data consolidation, automated reporting, and smooth submission workflows. By connecting with trusted banking and accounting platforms, we reduce manual effort, minimise errors, and ensure your statutory accounts meet compliance standards. These partnerships help businesses maintain transparency, improve financial accuracy, and file on time without complications.
Here Is Why Leadforce Is the Right Choice for Your Companies House Accounts Filing
Professional Accounts Filing vs DIY — Which Is Right for Your Business?
| Filing Yourself | Filing with Leadforce | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free — but your time is not | Fixed fee from £150 + VAT |
| Time required | 4–8 hours minimum | Zero — we handle everything |
| Risk of errors | High — format, notes, iXBRL | Eliminated — compliance review included |
| Deadline tracking | Your responsibility | Tracked automatically with 90/60/30-day alerts |
| HMRC coordination | Separate — easy to miss | Coordinated as standard on higher packages |
| Software required | Yes — commercial software now mandatory | Already in place — no setup required |
| 2026 CATO changes | You must adapt your process | No change required for Leadforce clients |
| Support if rejected | None | We manage all correspondence |
The honest answer: DIY filing was viable when the process was simple and free. In 2026, with CATO closed and commercial software now required, the time cost and risk of self-filing has increased significantly. For most UK businesses, professional filing costs less than the time spent doing it yourself — and eliminates the risk entirely.
Who We Help — Companies House Accounts Filing for Every Type of UK Business
Our Companies House Accounts Filing Process
We do the heavy lifting. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you instruct us.
How Long Does Companies House Accounts Filing Take with Leadforce?
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| You instruct Leadforce | You select your package and complete onboarding | Day 1 |
| Records received | You upload documents via the secure portal | Day 1 – Day 2 |
| Accounts preparation | Your dedicated accountant prepares your statutory accounts | 24 – 48 hours |
| Compliance review | Internal review for accuracy and Companies House compliance | Same day as preparation |
| Sent for your approval | Completed accounts shared with you for director sign-off | Day 2 – Day 3 |
| Director approval | You review, ask questions, and sign off digitally | Same day or next day |
| Submitted to Companies House | We file directly via the WebFiling portal | Within hours of approval |
| Filing confirmed | Official confirmation received and sent to you | Same day as submission |
| Total typical turnaround | From records received to confirmed filing | 48 – 72 hours |
Important Note: Same-day filing is available on the Ultimate package, subject to records being received before midday. The timeline above assumes prompt provision of all required financial records. Delays in sharing documents or obtaining director sign-off may extend the turnaround accordingly.
What Documents Do You Need to File Company Accounts with Leadforce?
- Bank statements for the full accounting period — all business accounts, including any savings or loan accounts held in the company name
- Bookkeeping records or trial balance — from your accounting software, spreadsheet, or manual records
- Sales invoices and income records showing all revenue received during the period
- Purchase invoices and expense receipts for all business costs incurred
- Payroll records if the company had employees or paid director salaries during the year
- Details of any director loans — both amounts drawn and repaid during the accounting period
- Details of any assets purchased or disposed of — equipment, vehicles, property, or other capital items
- Previous year's statutory accounts — if this is not your first filing with Leadforce
- Confirmation that the company had no significant accounting transactions during the period
- Previous year's accounts or incorporation date to confirm the accounting period covered
- Registered office address confirmation and current director details as held at Companies House
- Share capital details as shown on the original incorporation documents
All of the above for active companies, plus:
- Details of any related party transactions — payments to or from connected individuals or businesses
- Details of any loans to or from directors or shareholders
- Confirmation of any dividends declared during the accounting period
- Details of any significant events after the year-end that may need to be disclosed in the notes
If your bookkeeping is maintained on Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, or Sage, you can simply grant your Leadforce accountant read-only access to your account. We extract everything we need directly from your software — no manual uploads, no spreadsheets, no back-and-forth. This is the fastest and most accurate way to get started.
Do not let uncertainty about your records delay your filing. Contact Leadforce and we will tell you exactly what we need based on your specific company type and circumstances. In many cases, we can work with incomplete or unorganised records and bring everything up to the standard required for a compliant filing.
What Happens After Leadforce Files Your Companies House Accounts?
Filing confirmation is just the beginning. Here is exactly what happens the moment your accounts are submitted — and what Leadforce does to keep your company protected going forward.
Official Confirmation
Within 24 hours of submission, Companies House processes your filing and issues an official acceptance confirmation. Leadforce sends this directly to you.
Secure Storage
A copy of your filed accounts is stored permanently in your secure Leadforce portal. Accessible at any time, from any device.
Next Deadline Tracked
Your next Annual Reference Date is logged in our deadline tracking system. Your 90, 60, and 30-day alerts are set automatically.
HMRC Coordination
On Comprehensive and Complete Compliance Elite packages, we coordinate your Corporation Tax return simultaneously.
Clean Compliance Record
A confirmed, on-time filing means your public Companies House record shows full compliance — strengthening your credibility with banks, investors, suppliers, and any third party who searches your company.
Common Mistakes in Filing Company Accounts
These errors cost UK businesses thousands of pounds each year. Our service is designed to eliminate every one of them.
What Our Clients Say
The Non-Resident Director Who Had Not Filed in Two Years
Company Type:
UK holding company, no active trading
Director:
Non-resident, based in Dubai
Location:
Registered in England
The Situation:
Priya had incorporated a UK holding company three years earlier to facilitate property investments. Based in Dubai full-time, she had assumed her UK accountant was handling the annual filings. He was not. When Priya was approached by a UK mortgage lender who flagged two consecutive late filing penalties on her Companies House record — totalling £750 — and a third deadline approaching in four weeks, she contacted Leadforce immediately.
What Leadforce Did:
Leadforce conducted an urgent compliance review. Both overdue sets of accounts were dormant filings — straightforward AA02 submissions. We prepared and filed both sets of outstanding accounts within 72 hours, clearing the backlog entirely. We then prepared the current year accounts and filed them on time — preventing a third consecutive penalty and stopping the doubling mechanism from escalating further.
The Result:
Three years of accounts filed and confirmed. Penalty record halted. Compliance record restored. Priya is now on the Complete Compliance Elite package with proactive deadline tracking — managed entirely remotely from Dubai.
"Leadforce sorted three years of missed filings in under a week. My mortgage application went through the following month."
— Priya Mehta, Director, UK Property Holding Company
Frequently Asked Questions on Companies House Accounts Filing
Helpful Guides & Insights
Your expert resource for everything related to Companies House accounts filing. Explore our guides and articles to make informed decisions for your business.
File with Leadforce with Confidence
Our professional accreditations and regulatory registrations mean every statutory accounts filing we handle meets the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality.
🏛️ Companies House Approved Agent
We are a recognised filing agent, authorised to submit accounts directly on behalf of UK companies.
📋 ICO Registered (Data Protection)
Your financial records and personal data are handled in full compliance with UK GDPR.
🔒 Professional Indemnity Insured
Every filing is backed by professional indemnity cover, giving you recourse in the unlikely event of a professional error.
✅ HMRC Recognised Agent
We are authorised to act on behalf of clients in all dealings with HMRC, including Corporation Tax coordination.
🇬🇧 UK-Based Accountants
All accounts are prepared and reviewed by qualified, UK-based accounting professionals familiar with Companies House requirements.
🔐 256-Bit Encrypted Client Portal
Your documents are uploaded and stored via a fully encrypted, GDPR-compliant portal. No email attachments, no risk.
⭐ 4.9 / 5 — Verified Client Reviews
Our service rating is based on verified reviews from real UK business owners across multiple platforms.
File Your Company Accounts with Confidence
Don't leave your statutory accounts to the last minute. Choose your package, upload your records, and let our expert accountants handle everything from preparation through to confirmed Companies House submission — penalty-free.
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Your Companies House Accounts Filing Journey, Simplified
- Accurate & Compliant Filing
- 100% Compliance Record
- 48 Hour Average Turnaround
- Fixed Fees from £99