Companies House accounts filing changes: Why 2028 is closer than you think

CREATED BY ROGER EDDOWES Published: 10/09/2026 @ 09:00AM #CompaniesHouse #AccountsFiling #Reforms #Businesses #April2028

The Companies House accounts filing changes coming into force from April 2028 may sound comfortably distant, but I think businesses would be wise to start understanding them now. The reforms will change both how company accounts are submitted and, for many smaller businesses, what information needs to be provided ...

Get ahead of the game and prepare for upcoming Companies House accounts filing changes in 2028

One of the biggest Companies House accounts filing changes is the move to software-only filing. From April 2028, annual accounts will need to be filed using commercial software in iXBRL format. The existing web and paper routes for filing company accounts will close, although Companies House web services will continue to handle other submissions, such as confirmation statements and changes to director details.

I think this is broadly a sensible direction!

Many businesses and accountants already use software to prepare and submit financial information, and structured digital accounts should ultimately make company data more accurate and useful.

However, the Companies House accounts filing changes could be more noticeable for very small companies whose directors currently prepare and submit straightforward accounts themselves.

There are also changes to the information being filed. Small companies and micro-entities must submit their Profit & Loss reports to Companies House. Importantly, however, they will be able to opt out of having that information published on the public register. I believe that is a reasonable compromise between greater regulatory transparency and protecting commercially sensitive information belonging to smaller businesses.

The Companies House accounts filing changes will also
remove the option to file abridged accounts!

Companies claiming an audit exemption will face stricter eligibility statements, and there will be tighter rules on shortening accounting reference periods. These may sound like technical details, but they reinforce a broader shift toward higher-quality, more consistent information on the Companies House register.

The Government originally planned to start these reforms in April 2027, but implementation has been delayed by a year to give businesses and software providers more time to prepare. That extra breathing room is welcome, and I think businesses should make good use of it rather than treating it as a reason to postpone thinking about the changes.

For businesses already working closely with an accountant, the transition may prove relatively uneventful. Nevertheless, it is worth asking what software will be used, whether your current accounting processes are suitable and whether anything needs to change before the deadline.

Ultimately, the Companies House accounts filing changes are another step towards a more digital corporate reporting system. April 2028 may seem a long way off, but understanding the requirements now gives businesses plenty of time to adapt.

No last-minute scramble that inevitably accompanies a major filing deadline.

Until next time ...

ROGER EDDOWES
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About Roger Eddowes ...
Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts and Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014 as a general practitioner with a hands-on approach. Roger loves getting his hands dirty, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Roger utilises an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions.

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