As a director of a limited company, you have a legal responsibility to file certain documents with Companies House each year. Two of the most important of these are the Confirmation Statement and the Annual Accounts. Many new directors confuse these two filings.
While they are both annual requirements, they are completely separate documents with distinct purposes, deadlines, and information. Understanding the difference is essential for keeping your company compliant.
What is a Confirmation Statement?
A Confirmation Statement is a snapshot of your company’s non-financial information on a specific date. Its purpose is to confirm that the information Companies House holds about your company is correct and up to date. It is like an annual check-in to ensure nothing has changed.
What it includes:
- Company’s registered office address.
- Details of the company directors and the company secretary (if you have one).
- Shareholders and their shareholdings details.
- The company’s PSCs (Persons of Significant Control – if a shareholder holds more than 25% of the voting rights of the company)
- SIC code (which describes what your business does).
When it’s due:
You must file a Confirmation Statement at least once every 12 months. The due date is usually 12 months after your company was incorporated or 12 months after you filed your last Confirmation Statement. You have a 14-day window after your due date to file it. There is a filing fee to pay to Companies House to submit your Companies House Confirmation Statement, which, as of the 1st February 2026, has increased to £50 per submission.
What is required:
You will need your company’s Companies House Authentication Code to submit your Confirmation Statements. From 18 November 2025, new legislation also requires a one-time ID verification check with Companies House. This applies to all directors and PSCs of limited companies, partners of LLPs, and trustees of charities. Once you complete this check, Companies House will issue you with a Personal Code. You must include this Personal Code when you submit your Confirmation Statement.
If setting up a new limited company, this Companies House Identification Verification must be completed before a limited company can be set up.
What are Annual Accounts?
Annual Accounts, on the other hand, are a detailed report of your company’s financial performance over the financial year. They show how much money the company has made or lost and what its financial position is at the end of the year.
What they include:
- The Balance Sheet, which shows the value of everything the company owns and owes at the end of the financial year.
- Profit and Loss Account, which shows the company’s sales, costs, and profit or loss over the financial year.
- Notes to the accounts that provide more detail on the figures.
Depending on the size of your company, you may be able to file simpler, “abridged” accounts.
When they’re due:
For a private limited company, your Annual Accounts must be filed with Companies House 9 months after your company’s financial year-end. There is no fee for filing your accounts.
The Key Differences Summarised
You file the Confirmation Statement to confirm non-financial information such as directors, shareholders, and addresses. You file it with Companies House only. The deadline falls 12 months and 14 days after your last filing. A small fee applies.
Annual Accounts, on the other hand, report the company’s financial performance, including profit, loss, assets, and liabilities.
You must submit your company’s Annual Accounts to Companies House. The deadline is 9 months after your financial year-end, and there is no filing fee. You must also submit your Corporation Tax Return (CT600) to HMRC within 12 months of the year-end accounting period. However, you must pay any Corporation Tax due within 9 months and 1 day of your financial year-end.
When Getting Advice Can Help
Keeping on top of your company’s filing deadlines is a key responsibility for a director. The penalties for filing late can be significant, and failing to file can even result in your company being struck off the register. You are not expected to manage all of this alone, and getting professional advice is a sensible step.
If you would like calm, practical support, Penney’s Accountancy works with UK small businesses in Farnborough and the surrounding areas. We can act as your agent for Companies House and take care of filing both your Confirmation Statement and your Annual Accounts, ensuring everything is correct and on time.
Want to Learn More in Your Own Time?
For those who want to build their confidence and understand these topics in more detail, Penney’s Finance School offers an online, self-paced business and finance course. It covers everything from company setup to cash flow and tax, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
Important information
The information provided in this article is intended as general guidance for UK businesses only and reflects UK tax legislation and HMRC guidance as of February 2026.
Tax rules and business requirements can change, and individual circumstances vary. Before acting on any of the information above, we recommend speaking to a qualified accountant who can provide advice tailored to your specific situation.