How to File Final Accounts to HMRC and Companies House

Team Nomi

Mar 16, 2026
9 minutes read

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Final accounts are an important part of a company’s financial reporting process, providing a clear snapshot of its financial position at the end of an accounting period. Businesses must prepare these end of year accounts to understand their performance and meet legal reporting requirements.

Final accounts, also known as year end accounts or statutory accounts, are a set of financial statements that businesses must prepare and submit to HM Revenue and Customs and Companies House. These documents include a balance sheet, a profit and loss account, and, depending on the company’s size.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key aspects of filing final accounts to HMRC, including who needs to file, what documents are required, and how to submit final accounts to HMRC.

What are Final Accounts?

Final accounts, also known as statutory accounts or year end accounts, are a set of financial statements that provide a clear overview of a company’s financial performance and position at the end of its financial year.

These accounts are called “final” because they represent the completion of all financial transactions and activities during the accounting period. Proper final accounts preparation ensures that all financial data is accurate before submitting reports to regulatory authorities.

Final accounts typically consist of three main components:

• • Balance Sheet: An overview of the company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at the year-end.
  • Profit and Loss Account: A summary of the company’s income, expenses, and resulting profit or loss for the year.
  • Notes to the Accounts: Additional explanations and breakdowns of figures in the financial statements.

For larger companies, end of year accounts may also include a cash flow statement and a director’s report.

These documents are not only required for HMRC and Companies House but are also useful for business owners, investors, and stakeholders to understand financial performance and make informed decisions.

Who Needs to File Final Accounts?

Many business owners ask whether they need to prepare and submit year end accounts. The answer depends on the structure and size of your business.

1. Limited Companies: If you run a limited company, you must complete company accounts preparation and file final accounts with both Companies House and HMRC. This requirement applies even if your company is dormant or did not trade during the financial year.
2. Sole Traders and Partnerships: Sole traders and partnerships do not file final accounts in the same way as limited companies. Instead, they submit a Self Assessment tax return to HMRC with details of their income and expenses.
3. Charities: Registered charities must prepare annual accounts and submit them to the Charity Commission if their income exceeds £25,000.
4. Community Interest Companies (CICs): CICs must file annual accounts along with a community interest report.
5. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs): LLPs must prepare and file accounts with Companies House, as limited companies do.
6. Overseas Companies: Overseas companies with a UK establishment may need to submit accounts depending on their reporting requirements.

The complexity of final accounts preparation can vary depending on the size of the company. Micro-entities and small companies often file simplified end of year accounts, while larger companies must provide more detailed financial statements.

Components of Final Accounts

When preparing year end accounts, it is important to understand the key financial statements included in the report.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet provides a snapshot of the company’s financial position at the end of the accounting period.

Key elements of a balance sheet include:

• • Assets: What the company owns (e.g., cash, inventory, equipment)

• • Liabilities: What the company owes (e.g., loans, accounts payable)

• • Shareholders’ equity: The difference between assets and liabilities

The balance sheet follows a simple equation: Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders’ Equity. This provides a quick overview of your company’s financial health.

Profit and Loss Account

The profit and loss account shows the company’s earnings or losses for the accounting period.

This document shows:

• • Revenue from sales or services
  • Business expenses
  • Net profit or loss

This report is an important part of the company accounts preparation because it highlights financial performance over the year.

Director’s Report

The director’s report provides context behind the financial numbers. It typically includes:

• • A summary of company performance
  • Major events during the year
  • Future business plans
  • Key risks and challenges

Not all companies must produce this report, but it is often included in larger end of year accounts.

Notes to the Accounts

The notes explain the figures in the financial statements and provide additional information, such as:

• • Accounting policies used
  • Detailed breakdown of financial figures
  • Loan and lease information
  • Employee and director remuneration

These notes are important for transparency and help readers fully understand the financial statements

Filing Requirements for Different Company Sizes

The UK government recognises that businesses vary in size, so filing requirements differ depending on the company classification.

Micro-Entities

A company qualifies as a micro-entity if it meets at least two of these criteria:

• • a turnover of £1 million or less
  • £500,000 or less on its balance sheet
  • 10 employees or fewer

If your company is a micro-entity, you can:

• • prepare simpler accounts that meet statutory minimum requirements
  • Send only your balance sheet with less information to Companies House
  • benefit from the same exemptions available to small companies

Small Companies

A company is classified as small if it meets two of these criteria:

• • a turnover of £15 million or less
  • £7.5 million or less on its balance sheet
  • 50 employees or fewer

Small companies must submit:

• • Full balance sheet
  • Profit and loss account
  • Director’s report
  • Notes to the accounts

However, they may still benefit from certain filing exemptions.

Large Companies

Companies that exceed the small-company thresholds are classified as large.

Their end of year accounts must include:

• • Detailed balance sheet
  • Profit and loss account
  • Cash flow statement
  • Director’s report
  • Strategic report
  • Auditor’s report
  • Extensive notes

Where Do You Need to File Your Final Accounts?

A key part of final accounts preparation is knowing where to submit them.

Companies House

All UK limited companies must file annual accounts with Companies House under the Companies Act 2006.

Key points for Companies House filing:

• • You can file online or by post, though online filing is faster and often preferred.
  • Micro-entities and small companies can submit simpler accounts.
  • The filing deadline is usually 9 months after your company’s financial year end.

HMRC

Companies must also submit accounts to HMRC as part of their Corporation Tax return.

Key points for HMRC filing:

• • Full accounts are required, including detailed profit-and-loss accounts.
  • Filing is typically done online through the HMRC website or recognised software.
  • The deadline is usually 12 months after the end of your accounting period.

If you’re wondering how to submit final accounts to HMRC, most businesses now do this digitally using HMRC-recognised software.

How to File Final Accounts

Preparing and submitting end of year accounts can be easier with the right approach. Let’s explore the two main methods for filing final accounts: online filing and using accounting software.

Online Filing Method

HMRC and Companies House offer online platforms for filing final accounts, making the process more accessible than ever. Here’s how to get started:

1. Register for HMRC online services
2. Prepare your financial statements
3. Select the correct filing format
4. Enter financial details
5. Submit the accounts and pay any tax due

Understanding how to submit final accounts to HMRC online helps reduce errors and ensures faster processing.

Using Accounting Software

Accounting software can significantly simplify the preparation and filing of final accounts. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• • Automated calculations: Software reduces the risk of human error by automatically performing complex calculations.
  • Real-time updates: Many software solutions update in real time, ensuring your accounts are always up to date.
  • Integration with HMRC: Some software can directly file your accounts with HMRC, saving time and reducing errors.
  • Data storage: Digital storage of financial records makes it easier to access historical data and prepare for future filings.

Filing Final Accounts with Nomi

File final accounts with Nomi’s final accounts software. It is designed specifically for accountants and bookkeepers. Nomi offers features that can streamline the final accounts process:

• • Automated account production: Nomi can generate final accounts from your trial balance, saving time and reducing errors.
  • HMRC recognised reports: The software ensures your reports meet HMRC standards, reducing the risk of rejection.
  • iXBRL tagging: Nomi automatically applies iXBRL tags, a requirement for Corporation Tax filings.
  • Cloud-based solution: Access your accounts from anywhere, facilitating collaboration with clients or team members.

By choosing Nomi, you’re not just using a tool; you’re improving your entire end of year accounts workflow. The platform helps automate processes from data entry to submission, saving time and helping businesses stay compliant.

Nomi integrates smoothly with other accounting processes, making company accounts preparation faster and more efficient.

To help you explore the platform, a free trial is available.

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