How to file company accounts online

What are company accounts?

Company accounts are a formal financial summary of your limited company’s performance and position over an accounting period, usually your financial year. They are a legal requirement and provide transparency to regulators and, in some cases, the public.

For most micro and small limited companies, the accounts filed with Companies House are relatively simple. They typically include a balance sheet, a small number of notes, and a director’s declaration confirming the accounts are accurate and compliant. While a profit and loss account is prepared, it is not publicly available for micro-entities.

It’s important to separate company accounts from company tax returns. Although they use the same underlying figures, they are submitted to different bodies and through different systems.

Who has to file company accounts?

All UK limited companies must file company accounts, regardless of size, profit level, or trading activity. This includes companies that:

• made no profit
• traded for only part of the year
• did not trade at all

Dormant companies must still file dormant accounts. Responsibility always rests with the company director, even if software or an agent is used.

This article focuses on limited companies. Sole traders are not required to file company accounts with Companies House, as they are not incorporated.

When do company accounts need to be filed?

If you are filing your first set of accounts, the deadline is usually up to 21 months from the date of incorporation. After that, company accounts must normally be filed within nine months of the end of the accounting period.

Missing the deadline leads to automatic penalties and can create ongoing compliance issues. These penalties are avoidable, but only if deadlines are understood and planned for early.

How much does it cost to file company accounts online?

At present, filing company accounts with Companies House online is free. There is no submission fee charged by Companies House.

However, this does not necessarily mean filing will remain cost-free forever. From April 2026, most companies will need to use commercial software to file their Company Tax Return with HMRC, and many businesses are choosing software that also handles Companies House accounts in one place.

The cost, therefore, is shifting away from filing fees and towards software subscriptions or support, even for directors who remain hands-on.

Filing accounts online: What’s changing from April 2026?

The HMRC online filing service for Company Tax Returns and accounts will close on 31^st March 2026. Up to and including that date, you can continue to use it to file and amend:

• your Company Tax Return (CT600) with HMRC
• your company accounts submitted alongside that return

From 1^st April 2026, you will no longer be able to file Company Tax Returns or associated accounts using HMRC’s free online service. Instead, you will need to use commercial software, file by paper, or appoint an agent.

This change is being made because the existing service no longer meets modern digital standards or reflects updates to UK company law. The commercial software market has matured and now offers stronger validation, reminders, and built-in support than the legacy system.

If you run a small, limited company, filing company accounts is really about following a sensible sequence. There’s no trick to it — but there is an order that makes life easier.

Whether you’re using the current Companies House service or commercial software, the steps below are broadly the same.

How to File Company Accounts

Step 1: Get Your Numbers Straight First

Before you log into anything, make sure your figures are finished. This means all your income and costs for the year are in, your bank balance matches your records, and nothing is sitting in a “I’ll sort that later” pile.

This part matters because once accounts are filed, changing them is awkward and very public. Filing rough numbers and hoping to tidy things up later usually causes more stress than it saves.

At this point, you should know when your accounting year starts and ends, what your balance sheet looks like, and whether your company counts as a micro-entity. For most one-person and very small, limited companies, it usually does.

Step 2: Put the accounts into the right shape

Company accounts don’t need to be fancy, but they do need to follow a set format. For micro-entities, that’s mainly a balance sheet, a few notes, and a declaration from you as director saying the accounts are correct.

You can do this using accounting software or a simple accounts template that’s designed for Companies House filing. From April 2026 onwards, most people will be using commercial software anyway, especially if they’re also filing their corporation tax at the same time.

Before you submit anything, the accounts need your formal approval as director. That sounds grand, but in practice it’s just you confirming that the numbers are right.

Step 3: Choose how you’re going to file

You’ve got a couple of options when it comes to filing:

Some directors file directly with Companies House. Others use software that files accounts and tax returns together. Neither approach is “better” — it’s about what suits how you like to work.

From April 2026, you’ll need software to file your Company Tax Return with HMRC anyway, so many independent business owners choose one system that handles everything in one place.

Step 4: Submit the accounts to Companies House

Once you’re logged in, you’ll be guided through the submission. This is where being calm and un-rushed helps.

Check that your company name and director name match what’s on record, make sure the accounting period is right, and double-check the figures before hitting submit. The system will run basic checks, but it won’t catch everything — the responsibility still sits with you.

When the submission goes through, you’ll get confirmation. Save it. You’ll thank yourself later.

Your accounts are filed with Companies House — that’s one box ticked.

Step 5: Don’t forget the tax side

Filing company accounts does not cover your corporation tax. That’s a separate job with a separate deadline.

Up to 31^st March 2026, you can still use HMRC’s online service to file your Company Tax Return. After that, you’ll need software, an agent, or a paper return. The numbers should match your accounts, but the submission itself is different.

This is one of the most common DIY slip-ups, so it’s worth keeping firmly in mind.

Step 6: Keep Copies and Move On

Once everything’s filed, keep copies of your accounts, confirmations, and tax submissions somewhere safe. If HMRC ever asks a question, or if you decide to get help later, having those to hand makes life much easier.

Then move on. This is admin, not a judgement on your business. Done properly, it’s just another annual task you can tick off and forget about until next year.

Common mistakes when filing yourself

Most directors who run into problems aren’t careless; they simply aren’t aware of how precise the process needs to be.

A common mistake is filing accounts that are still drafts or that don’t match the corporation tax figures submitted to HMRC. Another frequent issue is selecting the wrong accounting period or company size, which can cause confusion later.

Some directors assume that accounting software automatically submits accounts when, in reality, it only prepares them. Submission is often a separate step that still requires your approval.

Finally, forgetting that accounts must be formally approved by a director before submission is another easy oversight, particularly for one-person companies.

Doing it yourself is perfectly reasonable, but it does require attention to detail.

Is doing it yourself the right choice?

For many micro-businesses with simple income and expenses, filing company accounts online is very manageable. One director, straightforward finances, and no unusual transactions generally make the process smooth.

However, if your company has dividends, director’s loans, losses, or changes in structure, it may be worth getting professional input, even if only as a one-off review. This doesn’t mean giving up control, it simply reduces risk.

Many directors choose a hybrid approach: preparing accounts themselves and having them checked before submission.

Summary

Filing company accounts online in the UK is far more accessible than it used to be. With the right preparation and understanding, many limited company directors successfully handle this themselves year after year.

The key is knowing what’s required, meeting deadlines, and recognising when something is outside your comfort zone. Independence is powerful and informed independence is even better.

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Sources

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/closure-of-the-service-to-file-your-company-accounts-and-tax-return

https://www.gov.uk/file-your-company-accounts-and-tax-return

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.