Staying on top of your Companies House filings is more than a statutory obligation. It is essential to maintaining your company’s credibility. The public register is routinely relied upon by banks, investors, suppliers, and potential clients to verify key information before they engage with a business. Out-of-date or inaccurate filings can affect due diligence outcomes, delay transactions, or raise questions about a company’s governance.
Companies House makes a significant amount of information publicly available, including details of a company’s directors and secretaries, registered office, charges, and shareholdings. This transparency means any inaccuracies are visible to anyone conducting checks, whether for investment, partnership opportunities, or onboarding as a client.
With the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), Companies House has been given enhanced enforcement powers. The focus is firmly on improving the accuracy and integrity of the register. As a result, companies now face greater scrutiny and an increased risk of fines, penalties, or rejected filings if their submissions are incomplete or incorrect.
Keeping your filings accurate and timely has never been more important and our company secretarial team can help. We can ensure that your statutory registers and Companies House filings are fully compliant, up to date, and correctly prepared.
For more information, please contact Carmen Yong, associate in our corporate team, at cy@branchaustinmccormick.com.
February 2026 update: Upcoming changes to company accounts filing at Companies House
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduced reforms aimed to modernise the accounts filing process and improve transparency. The proposed changes to accounts filing are still under review.
The proposed changes will mean that all companies, regardless of size, will be required to file their annual accounts using commercial software. This marks the end of free web-based and paper filing routes for company accounts.
Under the new rules, small and micro-entity companies will have expanded filing obligations. Micro-entities must file both a balance sheet and a profit and loss account. Small companies must file a balance sheet, profit and loss account, directors’ report, and auditor’s report (unless exempt). Additionally, the option to file abridged accounts will be removed.
The transition to software-only filing and enhanced disclosure requirements for smaller companies means companies should start preparing now whether by selecting suitable software or consulting with accountants to ensure compliance.
