How soon after year-end do you do file company accounts?

[Lance]

But I've never paid early. I don't want the interest payments; it's just one more complication for next years accounts.

It's not. HMRC simply take the overpay from the next years bill at the online portal so you just pay less.

[VectraMan]

It's not. HMRC simply take the overpay from the next years bill at the online portal so you just pay less.

And then the amount you've paid is different to what you've submitted in the accounts so nothing adds up. And the same again next year.

[SimonMac]

And then the amount you've paid is different to what you've submitted in the accounts so nothing adds up. And the same again next year.

The money you get back from HMRC is classed as interest, so has to be put into the books and then CT paid on that.

[NotAllThere]

We sent out accounts to the accountant for year end on the 2nd of January. (Company year = calander year). We've found that if we leave it too late, he gets round to them around September!

[ladymuck]

Generally I get everything over to my accountant within a couple of weeks of my year end, max a month. I like to know what the liability is sooner than later so, if need be, I can save up. I sometimes pay up early, sometimes I pay closer to the due date.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Inverting slightly: what do you consider an acceptable timeframe once the accountant gets the "stuff"?

[northernladuk]

With FA I've got a pretty good idea so don't feel the need to get it in early to find out. I also like to give it a couple of months to make sure I've not missed anything although dunno why as it's difficult to do if you manage your accounts properly and use FA.

And in response to Alan I'm pretty laid back about it TBH. Am aware the accountants may have periods where they concentrate on this so as long as I'm informed when I fairly nonplussed about it really.

[MPwannadecentincome]

The money you get back from HMRC is classed as interest, so has to be put into the books and then CT paid on that.

My accountant didn't tell me that! I will have to ask them....

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

My accountant didn't tell me that! I will have to ask them....

What he means is if you leave a credit balance on your CT account it will accrue interest and this needs to be accounted for as income in your books (DR INTEREST RECEIVED CR CORPORATION TAX I think). If they repay you any overpayment instead then that's just a refund.

It's really no different to interest received for any other account.

[ladymuck]

Inverting slightly: what do you consider an acceptable timeframe once the accountant gets the "stuff"?

Depends on the time of year, as there are some periods that are naturally busier than others. However, mine does everything within a couple of weeks, three tops.