Companies House has confirmed that significant reforms to accounts filing requirements will now come into effect from April 2028, as part of the wider implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).
While the revised timeline gives businesses additional time to prepare, the direction of travel is clear. Companies House is moving towards a more digital, transparent and compliance-focused model, and accountancy practices should begin considering how these changes will impact both their clients and their internal processes.
A More Active Companies House
These reforms form part of the government’s broader programme to strengthen the role of Companies House and improve the quality of information held on the public register.
For accountants and advisers, this represents more than a technical filing change. It signals a continued shift towards greater scrutiny, higher expectations around accuracy, and a stronger emphasis on corporate compliance.
Key Changes from April 2028
Mandatory software-only filing
From April 2028, all companies will be required to file annual accounts using commercial software. Paper filing and the current Companies House web-based accounts filing service will be withdrawn.
While most practices already file digitally, businesses still relying on manual or legacy processes are likely to need support transitioning to compliant systems.
Profit and loss filing for small companies and micro-entities
Small companies and micro-entities will be required to submit a profit and loss account to Companies House for the first time.
Although companies will be able to opt out of making this information publicly available, it will still be accessible to regulators. This marks a significant shift towards increased transparency and is likely to prompt questions from clients around what financial information must be provided and who can access it.
Simplification of filing options
The reforms will remove certain simplified filing routes, including the option to file abridged accounts, with a focus on improving consistency across the register.
Companies will also be required to file accounts as a complete package, rather than submitting individual elements separately. Practices may need to review how they prepare and submit accounts to ensure processes align with the new requirements.
Stronger audit exemption statements
Directors claiming an audit exemption will need to include a clearer statement confirming which exemption is being relied upon and that the company qualifies.
This reinforces the shift towards improved accountability and places greater emphasis on the accuracy and completeness of information submitted.
Restrictions on accounting reference periods
Restrictions will be introduced around how often companies can shorten their accounting reference periods, with justification required in certain cases.
Although more technical in nature, this change again reflects the broader focus on preventing misuse of filing flexibility and improving the integrity of the register.
What This Means for Accountancy Practices
While these changes will impact how accounts are filed, the implications extend beyond financial reporting. They form part of a wider compliance landscape that clients will increasingly need guidance on.
Accountancy practices are likely to see increased demand for support with:
- changes to Companies House requirements
- financial disclosure and reporting obligations for smaller companies
- confirmation statements and statutory filings
- director and shareholder updates
- company formations and restructuring
- ongoing company secretarial compliance
For many firms, this presents an opportunity to review how company secretarial services are delivered, particularly where this work sits outside core advisory services or places pressure on internal teams.
Preparing for the Changes
Although implementation is still some way off, there is a clear benefit to preparing early. Practical steps include:
- identifying clients that may be affected by increased disclosure requirements
- reviewing which businesses still rely on manual filing processes
- ensuring systems are aligned with future digital filing requirements
- monitoring further guidance from Companies House
- assessing whether existing compliance processes remain fit for purpose
Taking a proactive approach will help avoid last-minute disruption and allow firms to support clients more effectively as the changes come into force.
How First Corporate Law Services Can Help
At First Corporate Law Services, we work alongside accountancy practices across the UK, providing specialist support with company secretarial services and broader corporate compliance requirements.
Our services include company formations, confirmation statements, Companies House filings, director and shareholder changes, and ongoing company secretarial support.
As filing requirements become more detailed and compliance expectations increase, many practices are reviewing how this work is managed internally. We support firms by handling the company secretarial function efficiently and accurately, allowing teams to focus on their core advisory services while ensuring client obligations are met.
With the Companies House reforms approaching, now is a good opportunity to review your current processes and consider whether additional support may be beneficial.
If you would like to discuss how we can support, please get in touch with our team.
