The UK company law has abolished the compulsory requirement for private limited companies to take on board a company secretary. It is now optional for small companies. If small companies would like to appoint a company secretary they must submit Form AP03 for person secretary and Form AP04 for corporate secretary appointment with Companies House.
Companies House statistics showed that the number of companies was incorporated without company secretary since 6 April 2008 has increased tremendously.
| Year |
New Companies Without Secretary |
| April 2008 |
26.3% |
| April 2009 |
56.6% |
However, public limited company (PLC) must appoint a company secretary and the person should have the appropriate knowledge and skills for the role.
The usual duties of a company secretary include the following:
- Ensuring the company files statutory information with Companies House including annual return promptly
- Maintaining statutory registers
- Notifying directors, members and auditors of meetings
- Providing copies of resolutions and agreements to Companies House
- Supplying copies of company accounts to people entitled to receive them such as company directors, denbenture holders, shareholders and every person who is entitled to receive the accounts.
- Custody and keep safe of company seal
- Ensuring people entitled to do so can inspect the company records.
Concise Accountancy provides company secretary appointment filing services. If you require help in submitting relevant statutory forms to Companies House, feel free to contact our London accountants for help.
Concise Accountancy - Making company filing simple for small companies
