Filing Accounts at Companies House - The Book-keepers Forum

Dove Tree Services · Member

Filing Accounts at Companies House

Robert Pearce · Senior Member

If you have a security code from Companies House and you know the authentication code of the company, then you should be able to log into the webfiling facility, download the abbreviated accounts PDF template, and file the accounts online.

From your description, I wasn't quite sure what was included in the accounts that you were planning to post to Companies House. If you intend to file abbreviated accounts, then you wouldn't include a profit and loss account; just the balance sheet and certain specified notes to the accounts.

MarkS · Guru

How did you produce your accounts? Was it from an accounting package or word/excel? If from an accounting package eg VTaccounts then you should be able to print of the appropriate abbreviated accounts. If from word/excel then you will need to ensure you have the correct wording and disclosures otherwise the accounts may be rejected.

Remember you will also need to submit the company tax return in IXBRL format.

Regards

Mark

Dove Tree Services · Member

Robert Pearce wrote:
If you have a security code from Companies House and you know the authentication code of the company, then you should be able to log into the webfiling facility, download the abbreviated accounts PDF template, and file the accounts online.
From your description, I wasn't quite sure what was included in the accounts that you were planning to post to Companies House. If you intend to file abbreviated accounts, then you wouldn't include a profit and loss account; just the balance sheet and certain specified notes to the accounts.

Hi Robert Thanks for your reply. Yes we do use webfiling for VAT and CIS but typically we hadn't realised that you need to enrol seperately for the joint HMRC / Companies House filing service. I did register for this last week but we now need to wait for the activation code to be posted (stated as 7 days but who knows with all the bank holidays?!) >

I found a HMRC sample template online and am pleased that the accounts I've prepared match their format, phew! >

Thanks again Esther

Dove Tree Services · Member

MarkS wrote:
How did you produce your accounts? Was it from an accounting package or word/excel? If from an accounting package eg VTaccounts then you should be able to print of the appropriate abbreviated accounts. If from word/excel then you will need to ensure you have the correct wording and disclosures otherwise the accounts may be rejected.
Remember you will also need to submit the company tax return in IXBRL format.
Regards
Mark

Hi Mark Thanks for your reply. >

I prepared the accounts in Excel and created the report in Word. I've recently purcahsed Quick Books Pro 2012 but didn't have time to set it up and learn how to use it before the accounts were due and Christmas arrived! >

I am a little worried about the IXBRL format submission of company tax. I know that I can do this online using HMRC's free tool but as mentioned in my previous post the activation codes haven't arrived so we're going to be cutting this fine (deadlie is 31/12/11) >

My plan is to post the accounts to Companies House tomorrow using next day / recorded delivery. I've emailed HMRC and I'll ring them tomorrow to see if I can have an extension to the company tax deadline or if they can suggest an alternative as from what I've read online today company tax can only be submitted on line these days. >

Thanks again. Esther

Robert Pearce · Senior Member

Dove Tree Services wrote:
I am a little worried about the IXBRL format submission of company tax. I know that I can do this online using HMRC's free tool but as mentioned in my previous post the activation codes haven't arrived so we're going to be cutting this fine (deadlie is 31/12/11) >

Assuming that the company is a March year end, then you have until 31 March 2012 to submit the company tax return and the iXBRL accounts to HM Revenue & Customs. The only imminent deadlines would be to file the accounts at Companies House by 31 December and to pay the corporation tax by 1 January 2012.

NA_AA · Senior Member

Robert, I wasnt aware that there were any templates available from Companies House - I have always sent accounts via post

Robert Pearce · Senior Member

NA_AA wrote:
Robert, I wasnt aware that there were any templates available from Companies House - I have always sent accounts via post

Yes, if you've registered for webfiling and you have the authentication code of the company, you can log in and download an abbreviated accounts PDF template and submit the accounts online. Companies House has a users guide that explains the process.

I don't use it myself but there's also the joint accounts filing option, which allows you to prepare on the same PDF template (i) iXBRL full accounts and a corporation tax computation for HM Revenue & Customs and (ii) abbreviated accounts for Companies House.

NA_AA · Senior Member

Thank you Robert

HendyPhilhendy · Senior Member

In answer to the main question, I used to always send a cover letter, just in case they needed to send it back to me (which they never did)! I now use online via my software and it works a treat.

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