Changes at Companies House - Accounts Filing

From 1 April 2027, all companies will need to file their annual accounts using commercial software. This means we’ll be closing our web and paper-based systems for account filings on that date. Whether you file accounts yourself or through an accountant or agent, you’ll need to use software from that point forward.

We’re contacting you now to give you plenty of time to prepare – you’ll have one full accounting year, plus 9 months, to make the switch (a total of 21 months).

If you already file your accounts using software, you do not need to take any action.

What’s changing

From 1 April 2027:

• Accounts must be filed digitally using software – web and paper filing options for accounts will no longer be available from this date.

• Profit and loss accounts will be required for small and micro-entity companies.

• Other changes are planned, including updates to audit exemptions and accounting reference periods – we’ll share more information about these in the coming months. You’ll still be able to use our online services to file other documents like confirmation statements and director updates – these are not affected by this change.

Why these changes are happening

These changes are being introduced as part of a broader reform package under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

The move to software filing is a critical step in improving the accuracy and quality of data on the register by reducing errors and formatting issues. It will also speed up processing times and help Companies House detect and prevent fraud more effectively.

For companies, this change will streamline the filing process and offer a more secure way to submit your accounts compared to paper filings.

Making basic profit and loss information available on the register aims to improve conditions for accessing credit, including trade credit lending, as well as helping to provide confidence for those who want to do business with a company. It will also reduce the risk of deliberate misuse of minimal disclosure options to hide money laundering and other fraudulent activity.

We’ve published guidance on GOV.UK to help companies make the switch to software filing and we’ll continue to provide guidance and support throughout the transition. We also recommend speaking to your accountant or software provider to make sure you’re ready.

What impact will this have

Lovewell Blake currently submit financial statements on behalf of our clients electronically to Companies House. We therefore already have in place systems that will comply with this requirement from 1 April 2027. However, any companies that currently post their accounts to Companies House will need to discuss alternative arrangements for submissions after 1 April 2027.

The requirement to submit a profit and loss account in the financial statements held on public record at Companies House will impact companies currently defined as small and micro sized, as they have previously been able to omit this information. Including this information in the public domain will be compulsory after 1 April 2027, but considerations about how this will impact your business should be made.