Companies House has confirmed how it plans to implement the accounts reforms introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, with a start date of April 2028. Here are the new Companies House Filing Changes.
Here’s what’s changing and what it means for your company.
What’s actually changing?
The headline changes are:
- Small companies and micro-entities will need to file profit and loss accounts — something they haven’t had to do before. However, there will be an opt-out from having this published on the public register, which will be welcome news for businesses concerned about exposing commercially sensitive figures.
- All companies must file accounts via commercial software only. From April 2028, web and paper-based filing through Companies House will no longer be accepted for accounts. Everything must be submitted in iXBRL format through approved software. If you currently file your own accounts online, this will directly affect you. If we file on your behalf, we’ll handle the transition — but we may need to discuss your current setup.
- Abridged accounts are gone. The option to file a simplified, abridged set of accounts is being removed entirely.
- Stronger audit exemption statements will be required for companies claiming they don’t need an audit.
- All components of filed accounts must be submitted together, rather than in parts.
- The number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period is being reduced.
When does this take effect?
April 2028 — a year later than originally planned. Companies House pushed the date back to give businesses more time to prepare, meaning you now have one full accounting year plus nine months to get ready.
What should you do now?
Honestly, for most of our clients there’s nothing urgent to do right now. The main thing to be aware of is the software-only filing requirement — if you’ve been filing your own accounts through the Companies House web portal, that option will disappear.
If you’re not sure how this affects you, or if you’re a small company that currently files abridged accounts and wants to understand what more detailed filing might look like, give us a call and we’ll talk it through.