In addition companies must also state its pace of registration e.g. registered in England and Wales or registered in Scotland and the company registration number on all business letters, order forms and websites. A company does not have to show its directors names on business letters but if it chooses to do so then all the director names must be shown. A business letter must show every directors name or none.

Annual Return

Every year Companies House will send an annual return to the company registered office with the corporate details pre-printed. This annual return is known as the shuttle form and should be signed and returned to Companies House within 28 days confirming the details are correct also enclosing the annual filing fee of thirty pounds.

Any new details or changes to the information contained on the form should be advised to Companies House on the appropriate document such as changes in registered office or directors. In many cases particularly for small limited companies there are no changes and the form can simply be signed and returned. It is important that the annual return is returned as failing to do so can and does trigger a process that would lead to the Company being listed in the London Gazette and eventually dissolved with various penalties to the directors who failed in their responsibilities.

Company Accounts

A company must both keep company accounts which start on the day of incorporation, the initial shares having been issued and paid on that day and also maintain a satisfactory system of financial control. An accounting software package can significantly assist a new company set up a financial accounting system in a correct manner to maintain accurate company accounts. Unless the accounting reference date is changed and notified to Companies House the first financial year end will be what is termed the accounting reference date which is the last day of the month 12 months after the date of incorporation or within 7 days of this date and the company accounts have to be made up to this date.

The company accounts year end date can be changed by the company only if application is made to notify that change before the notified filing date for the accounts. To notify a change of accounting reference date applicants use Companies House form 225 which is available free of charge from the website.

Page 2 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next