Company Accounts for UK Limited Companies
Every UK limited company must prepare statutory accounts at the end of its financial year. Sterling Crest Accountants prepares these accounts from your company records, explains the year end adjustments before the directors approve them, and files them with Companies House. The same accounts form part of the company's Company Tax Return to HMRC, which is a separate filing.
Sterling Crest Accountants provides this service to clients throughout the United Kingdom. Consultations are arranged in advance by telephone or online meeting. Our registered office is in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
About company accounts
Statutory accounts, sometimes called annual accounts, are prepared from the company's financial records at the end of its financial year. They are sent to shareholders, to Companies House and to HMRC as part of the Company Tax Return. Depending on size, they include a balance sheet, a profit and loss account, notes and, unless the company is a micro entity, a directors' report.
We prepare accounts under the framework that matches your company's size and circumstances, such as FRS 105 for micro entities or FRS 102 Section 1A for small companies. Small and micro companies may be able to file simpler accounts on the public register, and we explain the filing options that apply to your company.
The process includes year end adjustments, such as accruals, prepayments, depreciation and other entries needed so the accounts show a true and fair view for the period. We explain material adjustments before you approve the draft.
Accounts are prepared for filing at Companies House within the allowed filing period and are also the base for corporation tax computations where we act on tax. Director approval is documented before filing.
We coordinate with bookkeeping, payroll and VAT work on the same engagement so figures tie across services. If management accounts were prepared during the year, we reconcile material differences with you.
Who this service is for
- Micro and small UK private companies limited by shares
- Owner managed companies with straightforward trading activities
- Companies that need filleted or full accounts filed at Companies House
- Directors who want accounts explained before signing
- Businesses where we also provide bookkeeping or corporation tax
- Companies replacing a prior accountant at year end
Common challenges
- Unclear difference between management information and statutory accounts
- Missing year end stock, accrual or depreciation entries
- Accounts overdue at Companies House
- Director uncertainty about what they are signing
- Mismatch between trial balance and prior corporation tax return
- Incomplete records arriving too close to the filing deadline
What is included
- Review of trial balance and supporting schedules
- Year end journal entries within agreed scope
- Preparation of profit and loss account and balance sheet
- Notes and disclosures required for the chosen framework
- Filleted or full accounts as applicable for Companies House
- iXBRL tagging where required for electronic filing
- Director report content within scope for small companies
- Draft accounts sent for director review and approval
- Companies House submission after documented approval
- Copy of filed accounts for your records
- Handover pack to corporation tax work where engaged
How the service works
- 1.Confirm accounting reference date and filing deadlines
- 2.Collect bookkeeping close, payroll summaries and fixed asset listings
- 3.Prepare adjusting entries and draft statutory accounts
- 4.Discuss draft with directors and agree final changes
- 5.Obtain written approval to file at Companies House
- 6.File and confirm submission, then pass figures to corporation tax if in scope
Documents normally required
- Trial balance and general ledger export
- Bank reconciliations at year end
- Fixed asset register and purchase invoices for additions
- Stock listing or work in progress schedule if applicable
- Loan and hire purchase statements
- Share register and director loan account detail
- Prior year filed accounts and tax computations
UK compliance information
- This service is for UK limited companies only, not sole traders or partnerships.
- Companies House has announced that from 1 April 2028 accounts must be filed using commercial software. We file using compatible software.
- Directors remain legally responsible for approving accounts even when we prepare them.
- Audit is not included unless separately agreed with a registered audit firm arrangement.
- We do not act as a director or company secretary when preparing your accounts.
Key deadlines
For a private limited company, accounts are usually due at Companies House nine months after the end of the company's financial year. A company's first accounts are normally due 21 months after the date of incorporation. The Company Tax Return and Corporation Tax payment have separate HMRC deadlines. Check your company's dates on the Companies House register.
Confirm official dates and rules on GOV.UK. Rules and thresholds can change.
What this work helps you maintain
- Statutory accounts prepared under a recognised UK framework
- Clear draft review before Companies House submission
- Filing completed after documented director approval
- Figures aligned with Corporation Tax work where we act on both
- Year end adjustments explained in writing before approval
Related services
- Corporation TaxCorporation Tax Return preparation for UK limited companies, including the relevant tax computation and CT600 submission to HMRC based on the company's accounts and tax records.
- BookkeepingStructured bookkeeping for sales, purchases, bank transactions and business records, helping maintain accurate financial information for VAT, payroll, accounts and tax reporting.
- PayrollPAYE payroll processing for UK employers, including RTI submissions to HMRC, payslips, statutory payments, pension deductions and year end forms.
- VATVAT registration and VAT Return support for UK businesses, including digital record requirements, applicable VAT schemes and Making Tax Digital compliance.
- Confirmation Statement (Annual Return)Confirmation statement (CS01) review and Companies House filing, formerly known as the annual return, after director approval.
- Company SecretarialCompanies House filings for officer changes, share capital updates, registers and PSC maintenance.
- Management AccountsMonthly or quarterly management accounts with accruals, variance commentary and management packs. No budgeting or forecasting.
Frequently asked questions
For a private limited company, usually nine months after the end of the company's financial year. First accounts are normally due 21 months after the date of incorporation. The exact date for your company is shown on the Companies House register.
Normally your bookkeeping records or trial balance, bank statements to the year end, sales and purchase records, details of assets bought or sold, loans, payroll summaries and the director loan account. We send a checklist tailored to your company before work starts.
Company accounts are filed with Companies House and show the company's financial position and results. The Company Tax Return, form CT600, is filed with HMRC and calculates the Corporation Tax due. The accounts are included with the tax return, but the two filings have different deadlines and are made to different bodies.
Generally yes. A dormant company must still file accounts with Companies House, although dormant company accounts are much simpler. HMRC may not require a Company Tax Return if the company has been told it is dormant for Corporation Tax purposes.
Yes, provided we receive a complete trial balance and adequate supporting records. We may need additional time to review another party's coding before the accounts are finalised.
The directors. Directors remain legally responsible for the accounts even when we prepare them. Drafts are approved electronically or in writing before we file.
Accounts and Corporation Tax are separate services unless your engagement letter combines them. Most limited companies engage us for both so the figures are prepared together.
Discuss company accounts with Sterling Crest
Book a free consultation or send an enquiry. Scope and fees are confirmed in writing before any engagement begins.
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