Major Changes to Companies House Filing Coming in April 2028

As part of Companies House aim to improve the quality of information held on the public register and help tackle economic crime, new filing requirements were announced which will now take place from 1 April 2028.

Businesses have been given additional time to prepare for significant changes, with Companies House confirming that the new rules will take effect a year later than originally planned.

The changes will affect all companies, but small and micro businesses are likely to be most impacted. In particular, they will be required to submit profit and loss accounts to Companies House for the first time.

What are the changes?

The key points for most businesses are set out below.

Small and Micro Companies Must File Profit and Loss Accounts

One of the most significant changes is that small companies and micro-entities will be required to submit a profit and loss account to Companies House as part of their annual accounts filing.

While Companies House has confirmed that businesses will be able to opt out of publication of this information, the eligibility criteria and process have not yet been announced.

This means that, although the profit and loss account will need to be filed with Companies House, it remains unclear which businesses will be able to prevent this information from appearing on the public register.

We will provide further information once detailed guidance is released.

Mandatory Digital Filing

From April 2028, all companies will be required to file their annual accounts using commercial software.

The aim is to improve the quality and consistency of information received by Companies House while reducing errors associated with manual filing methods.

For many of our clients, little or no action is likely to be required, as we will manage the transition to the new filing requirements.

End of Abridged Accounts

The option to file abridged accounts will be removed under the reforms.

Companies will instead be required to file accounts in accordance with the revised filing requirements applicable to their size and reporting framework.

Stronger Audit Exemption Requirements

Companies claiming exemption from a statutory audit will be required to provide a strengthened statement confirming their eligibility.

This measure is intended to improve transparency and ensure that audit exemptions are only claimed where the relevant conditions are met.

Full Accounts Must Be Filed Together

Under the new rules, all components of the annual accounts and any associated reports must be submitted together as a complete filing package.

This change is designed to improve the accuracy and completeness of information held on the Companies House register.

Changes to Accounting Reference Periods

Companies will face tighter restrictions on shortening their accounting reference period, reducing the number of occasions on which this can be done and ensure a business reason is provided when doing so. 

Businesses considering changing their accounting year-end in the future should be aware that greater restrictions will apply once the reforms are implemented.

What This Means for You

For most of our clients, there is no immediate action required, as we will continue to manage the accounts filing process on your behalf. However, it is important to be aware of the changes, particularly if you have concerns about the future disclosure of financial information.

How We Can Help

While April 2028 may seem some way off, these reforms represent the most significant changes to Companies House accounts filing requirements for many years.

Our team is already monitoring the reforms closely and will keep clients informed as further guidance is issued by Companies House. 

We will ensure your accounts continue to comply with the latest filing requirements and advise you on any practical implications for your business.

If you would like to discuss how these changes may affect your company, please contact a member of our team.