Limited Company Accounts
Why Choose Strix Accountancy For Limited Company Accounts?
At Strix Accountancy, we specialise in small business accounting, supporting micro and small enterprises with expert-led financial care. Our team is made up of highly qualified professionals, including those with accounting degrees, AAT accreditation, and ACCA membership and are ICAEW Chartered.
Many of our accountants have been with us for over a decade, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to every client relationship.
Whether you need help from a trusted tax accountant or support with day-to-day bookkeeping, we’re here to ensure your accounts and tax returns are handled quickly, accurately, and affordably—so you can focus on growing your business.
Affordable One-Off Accounts for Limited Companies
Strix Accountancy offers a flexible, one-off Limited Company Accounts service—ideal for business owners who need expert support without committing to ongoing monthly packages.
Our team handles the preparation and submission of your Ltd Company accounts to HMRC and Companies House, ensuring everything is accurate, compliant, and stress-free. We also provide professional tax advice and tailored business accounting support, helping you meet your obligations with confidence and ease.
Perfect for those who just need reliable help at the end of the financial year—simple, professional, and designed around your needs.
Why Choose Strix Accountancy For Limited Company Accounts?
How does the Ltd Company Accounts Service work?
If your business has been registered on Companies House for a few years now, you’ll be familiar with the feeling of foreboding that creeps in when you’re reaching the end of the financial year.
Most limited company directors have enough work to fill their time without having to make room for accounts. If you end up putting off your accounts until you can’t ignore them any longer, you’re certainly not the only person.
But you don’t have to leave your accounting duties until the last minute, then rush to get them sorted on time. Mazuma can take the job off your hands, so you won’t have to stay up late in the run-up to your return date.
Understanding corporation tax, income tax, VAT, and other tax obligations is essential for:
- Accounts Filed Accurately
- Save Valuable Time
- Never Miss Your Deadline
- Boost your Tax Efficiency
- Receive Your Accounts Faster
If you have any questions about our service, we’re happy to help. You’ll be able to contact the accountant responsible for your accounts directly, so you’ll always get to speak to somebody who knows exactly what you’re talking about.
- Gather together all of your paperwork.
- Buy the right package and we’ll send you your forms
- Answer all the questions on the form we send you and return it with your paperwork (physically or digitally depending on package)
- We’ll do the bookkeeping, produce your Ltd Company Accounts, Filleted Accounts, Corporation Tax Computation and CT600 Corporation Tax Return and send them to you for electronic signature
- Once they’re signed we’ll submit them to Companies House and HMRC for you
- That’s it! Easy peasy, stress-free Accountancy for you.
Precision. Clarity. Confidence.
Here’s how it works…
Manage invoicing, expenses, and payments — all in one place via your client portal.
We handle all your bookkeeping, payroll processing, bank reconciliations, and VAT management hassle-free
Each month, one of our accountancy team members will provide you with your financial reports and expert guidance.
At the end of the year, we’ll organise your returns and file them with Companies House and/or HMRC on your behalf.
FAQs
When are my limited company accounts due?
For your first set of accounts, you have 21 months from your company’s incorporation date to file with Companies House. After that, accounts must be filed within 9 months of your accounting reference date (year-end). For example, if your year-end is 31st March, your accounts must be submitted by 31st December. Your Corporation Tax return has a separate deadline of 12 months after your accounting period ends, but tax payment is due 9 months and 1 day after your year-end. Missing these deadlines results in automatic penalties starting at £150 for Companies House, doubling if you’re late two years in a row. HMRC also charges penalties for late tax returns. We help ensure your accounts are prepared and filed on time, avoiding these costly penalties.
How much do limited company accounts cost?
Limited company accounting fees typically range from £600 to £2,000+ annually, depending on your turnover, transaction volume, complexity, and additional services required. At Strix Accountancy, our fees depend on factors like whether you need bookkeeping, payroll services, VAT returns, and how organised your records are. Use our free instant quote calculator at the top of this page to receive a tailored quote within 60 seconds. Simply enter your company turnover and required services for transparent fixed-fee pricing. Many business owners find that professional accountancy fees are more than offset by tax savings, time saved, and penalties avoided. We also ensure you claim all available expenses and reliefs, maximising your after-tax profits.
What happens if I file my company accounts late?
Late filing triggers automatic penalties from Companies House: £150 if up to 1 month late, £375 if 1-3 months late, £750 if 3-6 months late, and £1,500 if over 6 months late. These penalties double if your accounts are late two years running. HMRC also charges separate penalties for late Corporation Tax returns, starting at £100 and escalating significantly. Beyond financial penalties, late filing can damage your company’s credit rating, making it harder to secure loans or supplier credit terms. Directors can face personal prosecution for persistent non-compliance, potentially leading to disqualification. If you’re behind with your accounts, we offer late filing assistance to get you compliant quickly, minimising penalties and preventing further consequences. The sooner you act, the better the outcome.
What's the most tax-efficient way to pay myself as a director?
The most tax-efficient approach for 2025/26 is taking a salary of £12,570 (the personal allowance threshold) and drawing the remainder as dividends. This salary amount avoids Income Tax whilst qualifying you for State Pension contributions and allows the company to claim the salary as a tax-deductible expense, reducing Corporation Tax. Dividends are taxed at lower rates than salary (8.75% for basic rate taxpayers vs 20% Income Tax plus 8% National Insurance on salary). You also save on employer’s National Insurance (15% on salary above £5,000). However, dividends can only be paid from post-tax profits and must be properly documented with dividend vouchers. The optimal split depends on your total income, other earnings, and personal circumstances. We calculate the most tax-efficient remuneration strategy for your situation, potentially saving thousands in tax annually whilst ensuring full HMRC compliance.
Do I need to file accounts if my limited company is dormant?
Yes, dormant companies must file dormant accounts with Companies House annually, even if there’s been no trading activity. A company is considered dormant if it has had no significant accounting transactions during the financial year. You still face the same filing deadline (9 months after your accounting reference date) and the same penalties for late filing. However, dormant accounts are much simpler than full accounts, showing minimal activity. You must also file a dormant Company Tax Return with HMRC to confirm no Corporation Tax is due. If your company has been dormant but you’re planning to start trading, we can help you understand when you’ll need to register for Corporation Tax and what changes to your accounting requirements. Maintaining dormant accounts correctly preserves your company name and keeps you compliant with minimal cost and effort.
What's included in limited company year-end accounts?
Year-end accounts for Companies House include a balance sheet showing your company’s assets and liabilities, a profit and loss statement detailing income and expenses, and accompanying notes explaining accounting policies. You’ll also need a director’s report (unless filing micro-entity accounts) and sometimes an auditor’s report, depending on company size. For HMRC, you’ll additionally need a Corporation Tax computation showing how your tax liability was calculated, and detailed schedules supporting tax adjustments. The accounts must be prepared according to UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). We handle the complete preparation process, ensuring your accounts meet both Companies House and HMRC requirements, claim all available tax reliefs, and present your company’s financial position accurately. This includes CT600 tax return completion and electronic filing.
Can I do my own limited company accounts?
Legally, yes, you can prepare your own limited company accounts if you have the necessary knowledge of UK accounting standards, tax legislation, and Companies House filing requirements. However, company accounts are significantly more complex than sole trader accounts, requiring compliance with company law, detailed disclosures, and specific formatting. Most directors find that the time investment, risk of errors, and potential for missing tax-saving opportunities make professional accountancy worthwhile. Common costly mistakes include incorrect Corporation Tax calculations, missing expense claims, improper dividend documentation, and failing to optimise the salary-dividend split. An accountant also provides valuable business advice, ensures you’re claiming all available reliefs (like R&D tax credits or capital allowances), and handles any HMRC enquiries. We typically save clients more in tax than our fees cost, whilst eliminating the stress and time burden of DIY accounts.
What are my responsibilities as a company director?
As a director, you’re legally responsible for ensuring your company files accounts with Companies House within statutory deadlines, submits Corporation Tax returns to HMRC, maintains proper accounting records, and ensures the company pays all taxes due. You must act in the company’s best interests, avoid conflicts of interest, and exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence. Directors can be held personally liable for certain company debts if responsibilities are neglected, particularly regarding tax, VAT, and employee PAYE. You can face disqualification, fines up to £5,000, or even prosecution for serious breaches like fraudulent trading or persistent late filing. Many directors underestimate the administrative burden and compliance requirements. We help you meet all statutory obligations, maintain proper records, understand your legal duties, and avoid personal liability issues. This includes ensuring your bookkeeping is up-to-date, dividends are properly authorised, and all Companies House filings are timely.
How do I catch up if my company accounts are behind?
If your accounts are overdue, immediate action is essential to minimise penalties and prevent company strike-off. First, contact Companies House to check your exact filing deadline and any penalties already issued. Gather all financial records including bank statements, invoices, receipts, and previous accounts. We specialise in late filing assistance and can typically prepare accounts within 7-14 days for straightforward cases, though complex situations may take longer. For significantly overdue accounts covering multiple years, we work backwards from the most recent year whilst keeping Companies House informed of progress. You may face penalties, but acting quickly prevents escalation. If penalties seem excessive, we can help you appeal on grounds of exceptional circumstances. We also implement systems to prevent future problems, including cloud accounting software, regular bookkeeping updates, and automated filing reminders. Don’t ignore the problem—HMRC and Companies House have significant powers to recover debts and prosecute directors.
What's the difference between company accounts and a tax return?
Company accounts are financial statements showing your company’s performance, required by Companies House under company law, and available for public viewing. They follow accounting standards and show your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. A Corporation Tax return (CT600) is a separate submission to HMRC calculating your company’s tax liability. It includes the accounts figures but adds tax-specific adjustments—such as disallowed expenses, capital allowances, and reliefs—that aren’t shown in Companies House accounts. The deadlines differ: accounts to Companies House within 9 months of year-end, Corporation Tax return to HMRC within 12 months, though tax payment is due earlier at 9 months and 1 day. Both are mandatory, but serve different purposes: accounts demonstrate financial health and satisfy company law, whilst tax returns calculate and confirm tax due. We prepare both simultaneously, ensuring consistency between submissions and meeting all deadlines efficiently.