Accounting reference date

Accounting Reference Date (ARD) is an accounting period cut off date for companies to prepare their accounts up to. The date is automatically given by Companies House when you first formed your Ltd company. If your company accounting reference date is 31 December this means you must prepare your company accounts up to 31 December.

You may change your company accounting reference date if you wish. The proposed new accounting period date application form AA01 Change of Accounting Reference Date must be filed with Companies House within reasonable time.

The Registrar of Companies will not accept the proposed change of accounting date if your company accounts already overdue.  The new accounting period date must not result in your company accounts period over 18 months.

Companies House will reject company accounts that is not prepared by referenced to its accounting reference date given by the Registrar of Companies. Your company will also receive late filing penalty if your accounts are filed late even just by one day.

Concise Accountancy offers fixed fee accounts packages to startup companies. The startup accounting packages include taking care of your company accounts and corporation tax return. Feel free to contact concise chartered accountants for assistance.

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