Accountant for a limited company

An accountant for a limited company prepares the statutory accounts, calculates and files the Corporation Tax return, keeps Companies House filings current and explains the director's own tax position. Everything runs to one agreed calendar and one fixed monthly fee.

A private company files annual accounts with Companies House, normally nine months after the year end, a confirmation statement each year, and a Company Tax Return with HMRC twelve months after the accounting period ends. Corporation Tax itself is usually payable nine months and one day after the period end, so the payment date arrives before the return deadline.

The first accounting period often runs longer than twelve months, which splits into two Corporation Tax periods. We check that split at the start rather than discovering it at the year end.

Salary through PAYE, dividends, benefits in kind and any director's loan account movements all affect the director's own tax return. Company money spent personally is not simply drawings, and an overdrawn loan account can create an additional Corporation Tax charge that many owners only discover after the year end.

Bookkeeping or record review, quarterly checks where VAT applies, payroll each month if the company employs, then the year-end accounts, computation and filings. You approve the accounts before anything is submitted and we explain the tax due and the payment dates in plain terms.

Single-director companies, contractors, consultants and young trading companies are a large part of our work. A smaller company still needs correct accounts, a Corporation Tax return and a clean split between business and personal money, and it usually needs less of our time, which is reflected in the fee.

Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the current UK position and current HMRC and Companies House guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own business.