Approving and signing company accounts

From approval to filing

1. The board approves the accounts

   A company's annual accounts must be approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of the board by a director on the company's balance sheet (section 414(1) and (2)). The board approves them before they are sent to members (Companies House guidance).

2. The statements go above the signature

   For small company accounts, a prominent statement that they have been prepared under the small companies regime (section 414(3)). For an audit-exempt company, the section 475 statements, which must appear above the signature (section 475(4)). For abridged accounts, the members' consent statement. See audit exemption.

3. A director signs the balance sheet

   Companies House asks for the director's printed name next to the signature (Companies House guidance). Every published copy of the balance sheet must state the name of the person who signed it on behalf of the board (section 433).

4. The directors' report is approved and signed

   The board approves the directors' report, and a director or the secretary signs it on behalf of the board (section 419(1)), with the small companies exemption statement above the signature where it applies. A micro-entity has no directors' report. See the directors' report.

5. The accounts go to the members

   A private company sends the accounts and reports to every member, debenture holder and person entitled to notice of general meetings by the end of its filing period, or the date it files if earlier (sections 423 and 424).

6. The accounts are filed

   A private company files within nine months of the end of its accounting reference period (section 442). The filed copies must be copies of the company's annual accounts and reports, and state the name of the person who signed the balance sheet and any directors' report (section 444(3) and (6)).

Statement wording Companies House suggests

• Small company: "The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime." (Companies House guidance)
• Micro-entity: "The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the micro-entity provisions and have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime."
• Dormant company: "The company was dormant throughout the accounting period", with the audit exemption statement under section 480.
• Abridged accounts: "The members have agreed to the preparation of abridged accounts for this accounting period in accordance with section 444(2A)."
• Audit exemption under section 477: the three statements set out in audit exemption.

Responsibility for non-compliant accounts

If accounts that do not comply with the Act are approved, every director who knew they did not comply, or was reckless about it, and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent approval commits an offence (section 414). Section 419 has the same rule for the directors' report.

Dates

The filing deadline runs from the accounting reference date (section 442). The approval date comes after the year end and before the accounts are sent to members and filed. For a private company with a 31 March 2026 year end, for example, the accounts are due at Companies House by 31 December 2026, and members must have their copies by then or by the filing date if it is earlier (section 424). First accounts have a longer period; see first accounts deadlines.

Revised accounts state the date on which the directors approved them (regulation 4 of SI 2008/373). See revising defective accounts.

Questions