Filing annual accounts help

[diesel]

I've done abbreviated accounts myself the last few years, and before that I think the accountant did the same.

And Yes I always did it online via HMRC's pdf. And it does include P&L and a director's report.

that's why my accountant usually does i.e. the ful version as you state with P&L and directors report. Abbreviated version does not include P&L and directors report, but cant be done via HMRC gateway, as far as I understand

[ASB]

that's why my accountant usually does i.e. the ful version as you state with P&L and directors report. Abbreviated version does not include P&L and directors report, but cant be done via HMRC gateway, as far as I understand

That does make a bit of sense. I am guessing that filing through hmrc gateway covers both an hmrc copy for the ct return and also the co house copy. Since hmrc need full accounts this is the lowest common denominator.

[Greg@CapitalCity]

The categories you mention in your first post should all be matched across to the fields Companies House request. Some of the CH fields will be blank, but I am surprised your accountants balance sheet differs so much from what CH ask for. What fields in particular are you struggling with? In general, if your business is a typical contractor one, you can would complete the following fields;

Current: Tangible assets Previous: Tangible assets
Current: Debtors Current: Debtors
Current: Cash at bank and in hand Previous: Cash at bank and in hand
Current: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Previous: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Current: Called up share capital Previous: Called up share capital
Current: Profit and loss account Previous: Profit and loss account

All the rest are either calculation fields, or you can ignore.

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

To make life easier I would suggest that you put the abbreviated accounts in an envelope and send them to Companies House!

There is no requirement to file online at this stage, unlike with the full accounts for HMRC.

[diesel]

To make life easier I would suggest that you put the abbreviated accounts in an envelope and send them to Companies House!

There is no requirement to file online at this stage, unlike with the full accounts for HMRC.

i cant file by post as i have accepted the Co House PROOF security for my company which does not allow annual accounts to be filed by post.

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

i cant file by post as i have accepted the Co House PROOF security for my company which does not allow annual accounts to be filed by post.

The PROOF scheme does not cover the abbreviated accounts, a paper submission will therefore be acceptable.

[diesel]

The PROOF scheme does not cover the abbreviated accounts, a paper submission will therefore be acceptable.

thanks for that as it this information is not clear on the CH website with regards to accounts. If i post how will i know that they have been approved in time?

Have you had any luck with your clients submiiting abbreviated accounts online direct with CH web filing?

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

You can check whether the accounts have been accepted using the Companies House WebCheck service.

The majority of our clients post their accounts though we have experience filing the accounts online and have never encountered any problems. It is difficult for me to help you over this forum but your accountant should be able to support you or even file the accounts for you.

If the deadline is near and you are having trouble filing online, I would suggest you post the accounts using guaranteed next day delivery to avoid the possibility of a £150 fine.

[diesel]

You can check whether the accounts have been accepted using the Companies House WebCheck service.

The majority of our clients post their accounts though we have experience filing the accounts online and have never encountered any problems. It is difficult for me to help you over this forum but your accountant should be able to support you or even file the accounts for you.

If the deadline is near and you are having trouble filing online, I would suggest you post the accounts using guaranteed next day delivery to avoid the possibility of a £150 fine.

Thanks for advice, I will look again tonight as i should have more time.
My only concern is that the Co House abbreviated filing appears to ask for more information that my accountant prepared as a paper copy (as in my first post). i was reluctant to file full accounts, and prefer to limit company info in the public domain.
out of interest what do you recommend to your clients?
( i have suggested a PAYE contractor here thinking of going Ltd to look at your services for a quote).

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

Thanks for advice, I will look again tonight as i should have more time.
My only concern is that the Co House abbreviated filing appears to ask for more information that my accountant prepared as a paper copy (as in my first post). i was reluctant to file full accounts, and prefer to limit company info in the public domain.
out of interest what do you recommend to your clients?
( i have suggested a PAYE contractor here thinking of going Ltd to look at your services for a quote).

They should only be asking for the figures from your balance sheet and certain notes to the accounts. These requirements are the same whether filed online. Once you have entered the balance sheet figures it should just be a case of copying the text from the notes to the paper accounts you have received onto the online form.

The majority of the time we ask that our clients send the paper version months in advance. If the deadline is near or they are out of the country, we will offer to file the accounts online with their permission.

Thanks for the recommendation