Companies House Accounts Reforms: UK Filing From 2028

The Companies House accounts reforms have just been confirmed, and if you look after filings for a UK entity, this one lands squarely on your desk. After a pause last year and plenty of back and forth with businesses, the government has now set out exactly what is changing and when. The headline? Small companies and micro-entities will soon file profit and loss accounts, and every company moves to software-only filing. The good news is you have a decent runway. So let’s walk through what shifted, why it matters, and the sensible steps worth taking now while there’s breathing room.

So how did things work before?

For years, smaller businesses got a lighter touch. Small companies and micro-entities could keep a lot of their financials away from prying eyes. They were not required to file a full profit and loss account on the public register, which meant competitors, curious neighbours, and anyone with an internet connection couldn’t see the detail of what a business earned or spent.

Many also leaned on abridged accounts, a slimmed-down version that revealed less. And filing itself was flexible. You could use the free Companies House web service, or even post paper forms, and get the job done without any special software.

Here’s the thing though. That discretion came at a cost the government cares about, namely transparency and the fight against economic crime. A register full of thin, inconsistent data is harder to trust. And so the rules are being tightened.

What’s actually changing from April 2028?

Let me explain the core of it. From April 2028, small companies and micro-entities will be required to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House, just as larger companies already do. This is the big one, and it brings the smallest businesses into line with everyone else.

That’s not the only shift. A few other changes arrive in the same package:

• All UK companies must file annual accounts using commercial software. The free Companies House web service and paper filing routes will close for accounts.
• Abridged accounts are being abolished, so that shortcut disappears.
• Small companies will no longer need to file a directors’ report.
• A strengthened audit exemption eligibility statement will be required from companies claiming it.
• The component parts of filed accounts must all be submitted together.
• There’s a limit on how often a company can shorten its accounting reference period.

Why now, and why does it matter? Because Companies House is becoming an active gatekeeper rather than a passive filing cabinet. Better data, filed consistently, in a format machines can read. For compliance teams, that means the days of casual, last-minute filing are numbered.

Hang on, what’s this “file it but keep it private” business?

Good question, and this is the concession that got the most attention. After heavy lobbying from the small business community, the government agreed to soften the publication rule.

So here’s how it lands. Small companies and micro-entities will still have to file their profit and loss account with Companies House. No getting around that. But they will be able to choose not to publish it on the public register. The figures stay filed, yet they don’t appear for the whole world to browse.

Now, “private” doesn’t mean invisible. Even where a company keeps its profit and loss off the public register, Companies House, HMRC, and law enforcement will still have full access to that data to help tackle fraud, tax evasion, and economic crime. Think of it like a frosted glass window. The authorities can see straight through it, but your competitor across the road cannot.

One catch worth noting. The exact mechanism for keeping accounts off the register hasn’t been published yet. The government has said the detail will follow in due course, so this is a space to watch.

iXBRL and commercial software, what does that mean for you?

Don’t let the acronym put you off. iXBRL stands for Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language, and in plain English it means your accounts must be digitally tagged so software can read and check them automatically. No more flat PDFs or hand-keyed forms.

To produce that format, you’ll need commercial software. This applies whether you file your own accounts or use an agent or accountant to do it for you. If your UK entities have always used the free web route, this is a genuine change of habit, and it’s worth getting comfortable with the tools early rather than scrambling in 2028.

You know what? For a multinational juggling dozens of entities, this is actually a chance to bring order to something that’s often a patchwork. One consistent, software-driven process beats a scattered mix of spreadsheets and last-minute portal logins.

Why should a multinational compliance team care?

Because this isn’t a small-business footnote. If your group holds any UK subsidiaries, even dormant ones, the software-only filing rule touches them. Every UK-registered company falls within scope.

There’s a quieter point too. These reforms come from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, the same law behind mandatory director identity verification. That tells you the direction of travel. UK corporate compliance is getting stricter, more digital, and less forgiving of the casual approach. Staying ahead of that curve protects your group’s reputation and keeps nasty surprises off the board’s agenda.

And let’s be honest, nobody enjoys explaining a missed filing or a rejected submission to senior leadership. A little preparation now saves a lot of awkward conversations later.

Right, so what should you do now?

You’ve got 21 months, one full accounting year plus nine months, to get ready. That’s generous, but it’s also exactly the kind of window that vanishes if you treat it as “future me’s problem.” Here are sensible steps to take while the pressure is low:

• Map your UK entities. List every small company and micro-entity in the group, including dormant ones, so nothing slips through.
• Review your filing tools. Check whether your current software can produce iXBRL accounts. If you’ve been using the free web route, start sourcing commercial software now.
• Decide on publication early. For each small entity, think through whether you’ll keep the profit and loss account off the public register once that choice becomes available.
• Brief your agents and accountants. Make sure anyone filing on your behalf is ready for the new format and the closure of the old routes.
• Watch your inbox. Companies House will write to every company via its registered email address, so check those addresses are current and monitored.
• Build it into your calendar. Set internal milestones well ahead of April 2028 rather than aiming for the deadline itself.

Tick these off steadily over the coming months and the change will feel like a tidy upgrade rather than a fire drill. Slow and steady wins this particular race.

What’s next?

Managing a UK statutory accounts filing process requires detailed planning and full legal awareness. For more insights into processes in other jurisdictions, explore our article, The AGM Process in Malta: A Practical Guide for Compliance Teams.

Klea transforms entity management by offering centralised governance, automated compliance, and secure collaboration tools. For this reason, businesses looking for an efficient, scalable solution can take the following actions:

• Request a Demo – See Klea in action for your organisation.
• Start a Trial – Experience first-hand how automation reduces workload and improves efficiency.
• Talk to Our Experts – Get tailored recommendations based on your entity management needs.

Company secretarial software solutions play a crucial role in modern businesses that require structured governance, consistent compliance, and accurate legal entity management. With Klea, organisations can ensure corporate governance remains efficient, transparent, and risk-free.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided on Klea’s website is made available “as is” for informational purposes only. Klea does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice and is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken based on the content found on this website. In no event shall Klea be liable for any loss or damages arising from reliance on the information contained herein.

For specific legal or compliance support tailored to your business needs, please contact Klea directly. Our team provides personalised guidance and expert solutions. Any reliance on general content without direct consultation does not establish any legal responsibility or liability on Klea’s part.