Year end accounts · UK guide · 2026
Year end accounts explained: what they are, what's in them, and when they're due.
Written by Iftikhar Rashid FCCA — 16 years in practice.
What are year end accounts?
Year end accounts (statutory accounts) are the formal financial statements every UK limited company must prepare and file annually. They include a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and notes to the accounts. For private limited companies, accounts must be filed with Companies House within 9 months of the accounting period end. The corporation tax return and payment are also due around the same time. Missing the deadline triggers automatic penalties.
Year end accounts deadlines [VERIFY]
| Filing | Due by | Filed with |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory accounts | 9 months after accounting period end [VERIFY] | Companies House |
| CT600 corporation tax return | 12 months after accounting period end [VERIFY] | HMRC |
| Corporation tax payment | 9 months + 1 day after period end [VERIFY] | HMRC |
| Confirmation statement (previously AR) | Within 14 days of anniversary of incorporation [VERIFY] | Companies House |
What goes into year end accounts
Balance sheet
A snapshot of the company's financial position at the year-end date. Assets (what it owns), liabilities (what it owes), and equity (shareholders' funds). Signed by a director.
Profit and loss account
Income and expenditure for the accounting year. Shows whether the company made a profit or loss. Drives the CT600 taxable profit calculation.
Notes to the accounts
Supplementary detail required by accounting standards — accounting policies, director's remuneration, loans to directors, post-balance sheet events.
Directors' report
A brief narrative signed by the directors confirming the accounts present a true and fair view and describing any significant events.
FAQs
What are year end accounts?
Year end accounts (statutory accounts) are the formal financial statements a UK limited company must prepare at the end of each accounting year. They include at minimum: a balance sheet (assets, liabilities, and equity at the year-end date), a profit and loss account (income and expenses for the year), notes to the accounts, and a directors' report. Small companies may file abbreviated accounts with Companies House. [VERIFY: current small company thresholds at gov.uk]
When are year end accounts due?
For private limited companies, statutory accounts must be filed with Companies House within 9 months of the accounting period end. The corporation tax return (CT600) and payment are due 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period end — effectively at the same time. If a company's year-end is 31 March, accounts are due at Companies House by 31 December, and CT600 and CT payment by 1 January. [VERIFY: current Companies House filing deadlines at gov.uk]
What happens if I miss the year end accounts deadline?
Companies House issues automatic late filing penalties: £150 if filed up to 1 month late, £375 up to 3 months, £750 up to 6 months, £1,500 over 6 months. For a second consecutive late filing, these penalties double. HMRC also charges penalties for a late CT600. Persistent non-filing can lead to Companies House striking the company off the register. [VERIFY: current late filing penalty amounts at gov.uk/file-your-company-accounts-and-tax-return]
What is the difference between year end accounts and a tax return?
Year end accounts (statutory accounts) are the financial statements filed with Companies House. The corporation tax return (CT600) is filed with HMRC and calculates the corporation tax owed. The two are closely linked — the CT600 is derived from the accounts — but they are separate filings with different deadlines and different recipients. Most accountants prepare both together.
Do I need an accountant to prepare year end accounts?
There is no legal requirement for a qualified accountant to prepare statutory accounts for a small company. However, accounts must present a true and fair view, comply with FRS 102 or FRS 105 (UK accounting standards), and be signed off by a director. In practice, directors without accounting experience almost always use an accountant — and the interaction between accounts and the CT600 makes DIY preparation high-risk.
What is my company's accounting period?
Your accounting period is typically 12 months ending on your chosen year-end date. For a new company, the first accounting period often runs from incorporation to the first year-end chosen at Companies House — which may be less than 12 months. You can change your year-end date with Companies House, but this is time-limited. [VERIFY: rules on changing accounting period at gov.uk]
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