Question 1

What does a limited company accountant do?

Accepted Answer

A limited company accountant manages all aspects of your company's financial compliance. This includes preparing and filing statutory accounts with Companies House, submitting CT600 corporation tax returns to HMRC, maintaining bookkeeping records, calculating corporation tax liabilities, and providing tax-efficient accounting advice. A dedicated limited company accountant also supports directors with remuneration planning, expense management, and HMRC correspondence, ensuring the company remains fully compliant with all UK regulatory obligations throughout the trading year.

Question 2

Do I need an accountant for a limited company?

Accepted Answer

Whilst it is not a legal requirement to appoint an accountant, the complexity of limited company tax obligations makes professional support highly advisable. Directors are personally responsible for ensuring annual accounts and corporation tax returns are filed accurately and on time. Errors or missed deadlines result in financial penalties and can damage the company's compliance record. An experienced accountant for limited company work reduces risk, improves tax efficiency, and ensures every obligation is met without placing an unnecessary burden on the director.

Question 3

When do limited company accounts need to be filed?

Accepted Answer

Annual accounts must be filed with Companies House within nine months of the company's accounting reference date. The corporation tax return must be submitted to HMRC within twelve months of the accounting period ending, with the tax payment due nine months and one day after the accounting period ends. Companies House filing deadlines and HMRC deadlines are separate obligations with independent penalty regimes. Leadforce monitors both and ensures all submissions are completed well within the required windows.

Question 4

What is CT600 filing?

Accepted Answer

CT600 filing refers to the submission of the Corporation Tax Return to HMRC. The CT600 is a statutory document that sets out a company's taxable profits, deductions, reliefs, and the resulting corporation tax liability for a given accounting period. Every active UK limited company must submit a CT600 annually, regardless of whether it made a profit. Dormant companies may be exempt in certain circumstances. CT600 filing services from Leadforce include full preparation, calculation review, and submission to HMRC on your behalf.

Question 5

What happens if company accounts are filed late?

Accepted Answer

Late filing of annual accounts with Companies House results in automatic financial penalties starting at £150 for delays of up to one month, rising to £1,500 for delays exceeding six months — and doubling if the company files late in two consecutive years. HMRC imposes separate penalties for late corporation tax returns, including flat-rate fines and interest on unpaid tax. Repeated late filing can trigger HMRC compliance reviews and damage the company's standing with financial institutions. Leadforce's proactive deadline management prevents these outcomes.

Question 6

What is included in year-end accounts services?

Accepted Answer

Year-end accounts services from Leadforce include preparation of the full set of statutory accounts — comprising the profit and loss statement, balance sheet preparation, notes to the accounts, and director's report where applicable. We also complete the corporation tax calculations, prepare and file the CT600, submit accounts to Companies House, and review the company's financial position for tax-saving opportunities. Our year-end service is comprehensive and leaves no aspect of the filing requirement unaddressed.

Question 7

Can an accountant file company accounts with Companies House?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A professional limited company accountant can prepare and file statutory accounts with Companies House on behalf of the company. At Leadforce, we manage the full submission process digitally, ensuring accounts are filed in the correct format and within the required deadline. Directors are required to approve the accounts before submission, but the preparation and filing work is handled entirely by our team — removing the technical burden from the director.

Question 8

Is corporation tax included in accounting services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leadforce's limited company accounting services include full corporation tax management. This covers corporation tax calculations, preparation of the CT600 corporation tax return, HMRC filing, and payment deadline notification. We also provide corporation tax efficiency strategies and tax-saving opportunities analysis as part of our ongoing service — ensuring that your tax position is optimised within the bounds of current HMRC guidance, not simply calculated and filed.

Question 9

How much does a small business accountant cost in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a small business accountant in the UK varies depending on the scope of services required. Basic year-end accounts and CT600 filing typically starts from several hundred pounds for simple companies. More comprehensive packages covering monthly bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, and tax planning are priced accordingly. Leadforce offers clearly structured fixed-fee accounting packages with transparent pricing agreed in advance. Contact our team to request a pricing guide tailored to your company's specific requirements and complexity.

Question 10

What is included in company accounts filing services?

Accepted Answer

Company accounts filing services from Leadforce include statutory accounts preparation, Companies House submission, CT600 preparation and HMRC filing, corporation tax liability calculation, director approval process management, and filed document confirmation. Where applicable, the service also includes VAT return filing, payroll records reconciliation, and bookkeeping review. Our filing services are fully managed — you are not required to interact with Companies House or HMRC directly at any point during the process.

Question 11

Can you file both Companies House accounts and corporation tax returns?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leadforce manages both Companies House filing and HMRC corporation tax filing as part of our standard accounting service. These are two separate submissions to two different regulatory bodies, each with their own deadlines and formatting requirements. Our team handles both processes concurrently, ensuring that your statutory accounts and corporation tax return are consistent, accurate, and submitted within the required timeframes without any coordination burden falling on the director.

Question 12

Do dormant companies need to file accounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dormant companies are still required to file annual accounts with Companies House and notify HMRC of their dormant status. Failure to file dormant company accounts results in the same penalty structure as active companies. Dormant companies may file simplified accounts, but the obligation to file on time remains. Leadforce manages dormant company compliance efficiently and cost-effectively, ensuring that even non-trading companies meet their statutory obligations without incurring unnecessary penalties.

Question 13

Can non-UK residents use your accounting services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leadforce specialises in providing UK limited company accountant services to non-resident directors. Our service is fully remote and digitally managed, meaning directors based outside the United Kingdom can access the same standard of accounting and compliance support as UK-based clients. We are experienced in the additional considerations that apply to non-resident directors, including treaty positions, currency considerations, and banking compliance documentation requirements.

Question 14

What records should a limited company keep?

Accepted Answer

UK limited companies are required to maintain financial records including bank statements, sales invoices, purchase receipts, payroll records, VAT records (if applicable), and records of any director loan account transactions. These records must be retained for a minimum of six years. Accurate record-keeping is essential for preparing compliant statutory accounts and supporting any HMRC enquiry. Leadforce advises clients on record-keeping standards as part of onboarding and provides guidance on digital document management throughout the year.

Question 15

How often must a company file accounts?

Accepted Answer

A UK limited company must file annual accounts with Companies House once per year, within nine months of the accounting reference date. A corporation tax return must also be submitted to HMRC annually, within twelve months of the accounting period end. Additionally, a confirmation statement must be filed with Companies House at least once every twelve months. Leadforce manages all three obligations as part of our ongoing accounting and compliance service, ensuring no deadline is missed.

Question 16

What is the penalty for late corporation tax returns?

Accepted Answer

HMRC imposes automatic penalties for late corporation tax returns. A return that is one day late incurs a £100 penalty. If the return remains outstanding after three months, a further £100 penalty applies. Delays beyond eighteen months attract tax-geared penalties based on the amount of unpaid tax, which can be substantial for profitable companies. Interest also accrues on any unpaid corporation tax from the payment due date. Leadforce's filing management service is designed specifically to prevent these penalties from arising.

Question 17

Can you switch accountants easily?

Accepted Answer

Switching to Leadforce from another accountant is straightforward. We manage the professional clearance process, which involves formally notifying your previous accountant and requesting any relevant documents and information needed to continue your accounting history. In most cases, the transition is completed within one to two weeks without any disruption to your filing schedule. There is no requirement for you to negotiate directly with your previous accountant — Leadforce handles the entire process on your behalf.

Question 18

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?

Accepted Answer

Bookkeeping involves the recording of day-to-day financial transactions — sales, purchases, payments, and receipts. Accounting builds upon those records to produce financial statements, calculate tax liabilities, and provide strategic advisory input. A limited company accountant performs both functions and interprets the resulting data to inform tax planning decisions. Leadforce provides full bookkeeping and accounting services within its comprehensive packages, ensuring the transactional record and the compliance output are managed consistently by the same expert team.

Question 19

What are statutory accounts?

Accepted Answer

Statutory accounts are the formal financial statements that every UK limited company must prepare and file at the end of each accounting period. They include a profit and loss statement, balance sheet preparation, notes to the accounts, and in some cases a director's report. Statutory accounts are filed with Companies House and form the basis of the company's CT600 corporation tax return to HMRC. They must be prepared in accordance with applicable UK accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006.

Question 20

Can Leadforce help with HMRC queries and investigations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leadforce manages all HMRC correspondence on behalf of clients, including responses to routine queries, notices of coding, and requests for information. In the event of a more formal HMRC compliance review or investigation, our team supports clients throughout the process — preparing documentation, liaising with HMRC on your behalf, and working to achieve a timely resolution. Our compliance-first approach to HMRC tax filing services means the risk of triggering an enquiry through inaccurate submissions is materially reduced from the outset.

Question 21

Is bookkeeping included in your accounting services?

Accepted Answer

Bookkeeping is included in Leadforce's Growth, Professional, and Premium packages. The Starter package covers year-end accounts preparation from records provided by the client. For clients who require monthly transaction recording and reconciliation as part of a fully outsourced accounting function, our higher-tier packages include limited company bookkeeping and accounting as standard. Our team can also review and correct bookkeeping records maintained independently by the client before year-end accounts preparation begins.

Question 22

What is the difference between a sole trader and a limited company accountant?

Accepted Answer

A limited company accountant manages obligations that do not apply to sole traders, including Companies House filing, statutory accounts preparation under the Companies Act, CT600 filing, and corporation tax calculations. Sole trader accounting focuses on self-assessment tax returns and personal income. The complexity of UK limited company tax obligations is materially greater, and the consequences of errors are more significant given the involvement of both HMRC and Companies House. Leadforce focuses exclusively on limited company accounting rather than sole trader services.

Question 23

How does Leadforce handle corporation tax planning?

Accepted Answer

Corporation tax planning at Leadforce involves a structured review of your company's financial position to identify all available reliefs, deductions, and allowances. This includes an assessment of claiming allowable business expenses, capital allowances on assets, research and development credits where applicable, and director salary and dividend guidance to minimise the combined tax burden across the company and its directors. Tax planning is conducted annually as part of our year-end process and is also available as a standalone mid-year review for clients on qualifying packages.

Question 24

Do you provide management accounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Management accounts — comprising interim profit and loss statements, balance sheet summaries, and cash flow positions — are included in the Growth, Professional, and Premium packages. Management accounts are typically prepared quarterly and provide directors with timely financial information to support business decisions between annual accounts filings. For high-activity businesses or those seeking external finance, more frequent management accounts can be arranged within the Premium package scope.

Question 25

How do I get started with Leadforce's limited company accountant services?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is straightforward. Contact Leadforce through our website or by telephone to arrange an initial consultation. During the consultation, we will assess your company's current accounting position, filing history, and specific requirements. We will then recommend the most appropriate package, provide a fixed-fee proposal, and begin the onboarding process — typically completing setup within 48 hours of engagement confirmation. Existing accounting records are reviewed, previous accountant clearance is obtained where necessary, and your compliance calendar is established from day one.

Feature	Traditional Accountant	Online Platforms
Expert Accountant Support		Limited
CT600 & Tax Filing		Partial
Tax Planning Advice	Limited
HMRC Compliance Support		Limited
Fixed-Fee Pricing
Fast Digital Process
Complete End-to-End Service	Partial	Partial

Limited Company Accountant Services for UK Businesses

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Frequently Asked Questions — Limited Company Accountant Services

Q1: What does a limited company accountant do?

Q2: Do I need an accountant for a limited company?

Q3: When do limited company accounts need to be filed?

Q4: What is CT600 filing?

Q5: What happens if company accounts are filed late?

Q6: What is included in year-end accounts services?

Q7: Can an accountant file company accounts with Companies House?

Q8: Is corporation tax included in accounting services?

Q9: How much does a small business accountant cost in the UK?

Q10: What is included in company accounts filing services?

Q11: Can you file both Companies House accounts and corporation tax returns?

Q12: Do dormant companies need to file accounts?

Q13: Can non-UK residents use your accounting services?

Q14: What records should a limited company keep?

Q15: How often must a company file accounts?

Q16: What is the penalty for late corporation tax returns?

Q17: Can you switch accountants easily?

Q18: What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?

Q19: What are statutory accounts?

Q20: Can Leadforce help with HMRC queries and investigations?

Q21: Is bookkeeping included in your accounting services?

Q22: What is the difference between a sole trader and a limited company accountant?

Q23: How does Leadforce handle corporation tax planning?

Q24: Do you provide management accounts?

Q25: How do I get started with Leadforce's limited company accountant services?

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Related Services & Upgrades

Corporate Tax Returns (Form CT600)

Self Assessment

VAT Returns Filing

Year-end Accounts

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