What is the correct procedure for filing annual accounts?

Annual statutory accounts are filed once a year at HMRC and Companies House.

Once your company has been incorporated, you need to complete statutory accounts each year, and these annual statutory accounts must be filed both with HMRC and at Companies House, until the company has ceased trading, has been dissolved and the name removed from the register at Companies House.

We will prepare your annual statutory accounts in the required format, together with the accountant’s report, and will file these electronically both with HMRC (together with the Corporation Tax return) and at Companies House. No audit is required for companies of this size.

If your company is dormant (i.e. there are no transactions in the course of a year), accounts can be filed in a prescribed format suitable for a dormant company.

If, after a while, you see no prospect of needing your company again, it can be dissolved and the name removed from the register at Companies House. All accounts must be filed up to date and clearance obtained from HMRC. However, do not start this process until all fees have been collected, all debts paid and all remaining funds have been withdrawn from the company bank account. If you fail to withdraw the remaining funds from the bank, they will be taken by the Treasury Solicitor as “bona vacantia”.