The short answer
Year-end accounts are prepared after your accounting period closes. Your accountant reconciles records, makes adjustments, prepares the accounts and Corporation Tax computation, and files them. Accounts are due at Companies House nine months after the year end, the tax payment is due nine months and one day after, and the CT600 return twelve months after.
Checked 26 October 2026. Rates for 2026/27.Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accounts due at Companies House | 9 months after year end |
| Corporation Tax payment | 9 months and 1 day after |
| CT600 return | 12 months after year end |
| First accounts | 21 months after incorporation |
| Typical preparation time | 2 to 6 weeks with complete records |
What year-end accounts are
Year-end accounts are the formal financial statements a company prepares for each accounting period. For a small company, they normally include a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and notes. They show how much the company earned and spent, what it owns and owes, and how much profit or loss it made.
The accounts have three audiences. Companies House receives a copy and makes it available to the public. HMRC uses the accounts to calculate Corporation Tax. And you, as the director and shareholder, use them to understand how the business is performing and to decide on dividends and investment.
Your accounting period and key dates
Your accounting period is set by your accounting reference date, which Companies House assigns when you incorporate, typically the last day of the month in which the company was registered. You can change it, but it is usually left as it is.
Annual accounts are due at Companies House nine months after the period end. Corporation Tax is due nine months and one day after, and the CT600 return is due twelve months after. For your first accounts, the deadline is 21 months after incorporation. Write the dates in your calendar early, so that you can plan your cash for the tax.
Step 1: close the books
The process starts with the last day of the accounting period. Make sure all transactions to that date are recorded, including sales invoices issued, purchases received, bank payments, payroll and loan movements. Reconcile every bank account to the statement at the year-end date. Check that all invoices received after the year end but relating to the period are accounted for.
Review the director’s loan account, which should show an accurate balance. If it is overdrawn, think about whether to clear it before the nine-month deadline to avoid section 455 tax. This is also the moment to chase customers who owe you money.
Step 2: gather the information your accountant needs
Your accountant will ask for a standard set of information. This usually includes bank statements for the year, sales and purchase records, payroll summaries, VAT returns, details of fixed assets bought or sold, loan statements, stock figures if you hold stock, and details of any unusual transactions. Send them in a clear format, ideally through the accounting software.
The more complete the information, the quicker the accounts can be prepared. Missing receipts and unexplained transactions are the main cause of delays and queries.
Step 3: year-end adjustments
Before the accounts can be finalised, your accountant makes adjustments to reflect the true position. These include accruals for costs incurred but not yet invoiced, prepayments for costs paid for the next period, depreciation or capital allowances on assets, stock valuation, adjustments for bad debts, and provisions for tax and dividends.
Adjustments make the accounts reflect what happened in the period, rather than just when cash moved. They sometimes surprise directors, because the profit shown can differ from the cash in the bank.
Step 4: prepare and approve the accounts
Once the adjustments are made, your accountant prepares the accounts and the Corporation Tax computation. You will receive a draft to review. Check that the figures look right, that the director’s loan and dividends are shown correctly, and that nothing is missing. Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
When you are satisfied, the directors approve the accounts, and one director signs the balance sheet. After that, the accounts are filed, and you will often be asked to approve the CT600 return as well.
Step 5: file and pay
The accounts are filed with Companies House, and the CT600 with the accounts is filed online with HMRC. You then pay the Corporation Tax by nine months and one day after the year end. Many accountants file early so that you know the tax bill and can plan, even if the payment date is later.
After filing, you should receive confirmation from both Companies House and HMRC. Keep them with your records. Make a note of the next year’s dates straight away.
Planning before the year end
The most valuable part of the year-end process often happens before the year ends. In the last two or three months, consider whether to make a pension contribution, buy equipment, pay a bonus or dividend, or clear the director’s loan account. A projection of the year’s profit and tax makes these decisions easy.
If you wait until after the year end, most of these options are gone. A short planning call with your accountant before year end is therefore worth far more than the time it takes.
Worked example of a timeline
Consider a company with a 31 March year end. On 1 April, the director reconciles the bank and sends records to the accountant. By the end of April, the accountant has made adjustments and drafted the accounts. In May, the director reviews and approves them, and the accounts and CT600 are filed in June, well ahead of the deadlines. Corporation Tax of, say, £8,000 is then paid by 1 January 2028, giving six months to plan the cash. Meanwhile, the company diarises the next confirmation statement and the following year’s year end.
Filing early has no downside, and it gives certainty about the tax bill and the retained profit available for dividends.
Documents your accountant will usually ask for
Gather these before your accountant starts. Bank statements for every account, including savings. Sales and purchase invoices and a list of unpaid ones at year end. Payroll reports, P60s and P11Ds if relevant. VAT returns for the period. Loan agreements and statements. Details of assets bought or sold, with invoices. Stock counts if you hold stock. A note of dividends paid and the director’s loan balance. Providing them in one organised folder, or through your accounting software, saves days of back-and-forth.
Tips to make the process cheaper and faster
Year-end fees depend largely on how organised your records are. Keep your bookkeeping up to date through the year, reply to queries promptly, and give your accountant access to your software. Decide in advance who will approve the accounts. If you are expecting a large purchase or change, tell your accountant early, so it is treated correctly. These habits reduce the back-and-forth that drives up cost, and they let your accountant spend time on advice rather than on tidying records.
The bottom line
Year-end accounts are prepared after your accounting period closes. If you would rather not do it alone, our fixed fees start at £45.83 + VAT a month.
Frequently asked questions
When are limited company accounts due?
Nine months after the end of your accounting period for Companies House. Your first accounts are due 21 months after incorporation.
How long do year-end accounts take to prepare?
Typically two to six weeks if your records are complete. Delays are usually caused by missing receipts or unanswered queries.
Do I have to file accounts with Companies House?
Yes, every limited company must file annual accounts, which become public. Small companies can file simplified accounts.
Is the CT600 the same as the accounts?
No. The CT600 is the Corporation Tax return filed with HMRC, while the accounts are filed with Companies House. Both are prepared together, and the accounts support the tax return.
What happens if I miss the year-end deadline?
Companies House charges automatic late filing penalties from £150, and HMRC charges penalties for late CT600 returns and interest on late tax.
Can I file my own year-end accounts?
You can, using Companies House and HMRC software, but the rules are detailed and mistakes are costly. Most directors find that a fixed-fee accountant saves time and money.
This article is general information, not personal tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant about your circumstances. Rates shown are for 2026/27, last checked November 2026.