Running a UK company comes with a number of administrative jobs that can easily get pushed to the bottom of the list. When things are busy, Companies House filings are often something directors only think about when a deadline is approaching.
The problem is that some of these responsibilities apply even when a company is quiet, has stopped trading or has had very little activity during the year. Keeping track of the basic filing requirements can therefore save directors from unnecessary stress later on.
The annual confirmation statement
One of the regular requirements for UK companies is the confirmation statement. Every company must file one at least once every 12 months, including companies that are dormant or not currently trading.
The confirmation statement is used to confirm that the information held at Companies House is still correct. This can include details such as the registered office, directors, shareholders and people with significant control.
The filing is commonly associated with CS01, the form reference used for a confirmation statement. It is worth checking the company’s information before submitting rather than simply treating the filing as an annual box-ticking exercise.
For directors who prefer to deal with the filing online, services are available to help file confirmation statement submissions without having to navigate the process alone.
Dormant companies still have filing responsibilities
It is easy to assume that a company which is not trading can simply be left alone. That is not generally the case.
A dormant company can still have Companies House filing obligations. In particular, directors may need to submit dormant company accounts as well as a confirmation statement.
Dormant accounts are separate from the confirmation statement. They relate to the company’s accounts rather than confirming the company’s registered details.
The term AA02 is commonly associated with the filing of dormant company accounts, so directors may come across this reference when dealing with their annual accounts requirements.
Where a company is genuinely dormant and eligible to file dormant accounts, directors should still make sure the filing is completed within the required timeframe. Ignoring the company because it has no current trading activity can result in missed deadlines.
Why the two filings should not be confused
Confirmation statements and annual accounts have different purposes, which is why completing one does not remove the need to consider the other.
A confirmation statement is primarily about confirming company information held by Companies House. Annual accounts provide financial information about the company for the relevant accounting period.
This distinction is particularly important for small companies and dormant companies, where directors may assume that very little activity means there is very little paperwork.
In reality, the level of business activity does not necessarily determine whether a filing is required. The company’s status and the relevant Companies House rules need to be considered.
Keeping company information up to date
Annual filings also provide a useful opportunity to check whether the information associated with a company is still accurate.
Directors can review details such as the registered office address, officers and people with significant control. If something has changed during the year, it is sensible to make sure the appropriate information is updated rather than allowing old details to remain on the public register.
This is one reason it can be useful to treat the confirmation statement as part of normal company administration rather than as a deadline that only needs attention once a year.
A simple filing routine can make things easier
Company administration does not have to be complicated. A basic annual reminder can help directors keep track of the important dates.
It can be useful to check the company’s Companies House record, note the confirmation statement date and separately keep an eye on the annual accounts deadline. For dormant companies, directors should also make sure the appropriate dormant accounts are prepared and submitted when required.
Taking a few minutes to check these details ahead of time is generally easier than trying to resolve a missed filing at the last minute.
For companies that are no longer trading but are being kept open for future use, staying organised is particularly important. Even a company with no commercial activity can continue to have administrative obligations.
Company administration does not stop when trading does
A quiet company can sometimes be forgotten, especially if the director is concentrating on other businesses or personal commitments. However, Companies House deadlines continue to matter.
Whether a company is actively trading, temporarily inactive or dormant, directors should understand which filings apply to their circumstances and when they are due.
Keeping a straightforward record of confirmation statements, accounts and other company changes can make the annual process much more manageable. It also reduces the chance of discovering a filing requirement only after the deadline has passed.
For many small companies, good administration is simply about knowing what needs to be filed, checking the information is correct and dealing with each requirement before it becomes urgent.
