Companies House is overhauling how company accounts are filed. From April 2028, all accounts must be filed using commercial software, small companies and micro-entities will have to file profit and loss accounts, and web and paper filing will close. Here is what it means for your business and how to prepare.
Companies House has confirmed a significant change to the way company accounts are filed. From April 2028, every company will need to file its accounts using commercial software, and a number of long-standing options, including web filing, paper filing, and abridged accounts, will be withdrawn. The changes form part of the reforms introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and are designed to improve the quality, transparency, and reliability of the information held on the public register.
The reforms were originally planned for April 2027 but have been pushed back to April 2028 to give companies and software providers more time to prepare. There will then be a transition period of around 21 months, covering one full accounting year plus nine months, before the new requirements apply to everyone.
What is changing
- Software-only filing: all companies will need to file their accounts through commercial software in iXBRL format. The web and paper-based accounts filing services will close.
- Profit and loss accounts: small companies and micro-entities will have to file a profit and loss account, which is currently optional. You will be able to choose whether some of that information is shown on the public register.
- No more abridged accounts: the option to file abridged accounts will be removed.
- Filing accounts together: all the component parts of a set of accounts will need to be filed at the same time.
- Audit exemptions: companies claiming an audit exemption will need to provide a stronger, more detailed eligibility statement from the directors.
- Shortening accounting periods: there will be tighter restrictions on how often a company can shorten its accounting reference period.
Who is affected
The changes apply to all UK companies, including small companies and micro-entities, whether you file your own accounts or use an accountant or agent. The biggest practical impact will be felt by smaller businesses that currently rely on the free web filing service or still file on paper, as those routes will no longer be available.
It is worth noting that web filing will still be available for other filings, such as confirmation statements and changes to directors. The change to software-only filing applies specifically to company accounts.
How to prepare
- Review your filing method now. If you currently use web or paper filing, plan to move to commercial software well before April 2028.
- Choose suitable software. Companies House maintains a list of approved commercial software providers on GOV.UK that can file accounts in the required format.
- Keep your registered email up to date. Companies House will notify companies of the specific changes that affect them through their registered email address.
- Speak to your accountant. If you work with us, your accounts are already filed through professional software, so the transition will be seamless.
How we can help
These reforms are a good reason to review how your accounts are prepared and filed. At LN Accountants we file every client's accounts through professional, fully compliant software, so you do not need to worry about the move away from web and paper filing. We will also help you understand what the new profit and loss filing requirements mean for your business and how to make the most of the option to keep certain information off the public register.
If you have questions about the April 2028 changes, or you would like help getting ready, get in touch with our team. We will explain exactly what applies to your company and take care of the filing for you.
