Accounts & filing
You can legally file your own company accounts and CT600. Whether you should depends on VAT, payroll, dividends and director loans.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityYou can legally prepare and file your own accounts and company tax return. There is no requirement to use an accountant. The question is whether the software, the accounting standards and the tax computations are a good use of your time and risk.
Where self-filing usually works
Where it usually goes wrong
You can legally prepare and file your own accounts and company tax return. There is no requirement to use an accountant. The question is whether the software, the accounting standards and the tax computations are a good use of your time and risk.
A dormant company, or a very simple single-director company with no VAT, no employees, a handful of invoices and no assets, can file successfully through the Companies House and HMRC services. The joint filing service accepts micro-entity accounts and a straightforward CT600.
You still need to get the accounting right: accruals and prepayments, director loan balances, dividends supported by distributable reserves, and depreciation adjusted out for tax.
The common failures we correct are dividends taken with no reserves, an overdrawn director's loan account and unclaimed s455 refunds, disallowable expenses left in the computation, missed capital allowances, and an unclaimed Employment Allowance or R&D relief.
The cost of a fix, penalties and overpaid tax usually exceeds a year of fees. If you want to self-file, at least have the first year reviewed so the opening balances are right.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Yes. The CT600 package must include tagged accounts and computations, which is why free spreadsheet accounts cannot simply be attached.
Yes. We offer a review and file service that is cheaper than full preparation where your bookkeeping is already sound.
Often, yes. Accountant-prepared accounts and a reference carry more weight in lending and leasing decisions.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
Talk to an accountant
Share your next deadline, accounting problem or growth question. We will reply with a clear next step and quote any technical work before it begins.
Chat with ACCOTAX on WhatsAppPick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
Four London offices
Work with us entirely online, or sit down with your accountant at whichever office suits you. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Office visits are by appointment only, so please book before coming in.
Free, no obligation
Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
