Filing a Confirmation Statement? Bedford Accountants Explain What You Need to Know

If you are reading this article you might be unsure what a Confirmation Statement actually is or why it matters. You are not alone. When we take on new clients this is one of the most common areas of confusion because Companies House does a poor job of explaining it clearly. Many Bedford business owners assume the Confirmation Statement is just another version of the annual accounts. Others think it contains financial information. A few forget about it entirely until Companies House sends a reminder letter.

The Confirmation Statement is a legal requirement. Every limited company must file one at least once every twelve months. Whether you have traded heavily or done nothing at all does not matter. The purpose of the statement is simple. It confirms that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate and up to date.

Below is everything you need to know.

What the Confirmation Statement Actually Is

The Confirmation Statement is a legal document that updates Companies House on the structure of your company. It tells them who controls the business and what the business does. It does not include profit, loss, income or any financial data. Those appear in your annual accounts.

The Confirmation Statement covers:

• Your registered office address
• Your director details
• Your person with significant control (PSC) information
• Your share structure
• Your shareholders
• Your SIC code (the code that describes what your business does)

Companies House need this because they maintain a public record of all UK companies. They want to ensure that anyone searching your business sees accurate information.

When the Confirmation Statement Must Be Filed

Every company has a Confirmation Statement due date. This is normally:

• 12 months after the date your company was formed
• Then every 12 months after that
• You also get 14 days after the review period ends to file it

So if your company was created on 1 April 2023 your Confirmation Statement is due by 14 April 2024. Most people forget the 14 day window which is where late filings come from.

Even if nothing has changed in your business you still need to file the statement. Companies House want you to confirm that no changes have taken place.

What Happens if You Miss Your Confirmation Statement

Missing the deadline can lead to serious consequences. These include:

• Companies House issuing warnings
• Your company being marked as non compliant
• Difficulties when trying to open a bank account
• Loss of credit score
• Striking off the business from the register

Striking off means your company is dissolved even if you are still trading. This can freeze bank accounts and create major complications.

We tell clients that the Confirmation Statement is small but powerful. It is easy to file yet disastrous to ignore.

The Difference Between a Confirmation Statement and Annual Accounts

Clients often confuse these two requirements so here is the simplest way to think about it.

A Confirmation Statement tells Companies House who you are.
Your annual accounts tell Companies House how your business performed.

They are completely separate obligations and both must be filed each year. Filing one does not replace the other.

What Information You Need to File the Statement

To file a Confirmation Statement correctly you need to check:

• Your registered office address
• The service addresses of your directors
• Your PSC information
• Your share classes
• The number of shares in issue
• Your shareholder list
• Your SIC code

If anything has changed during the year you must update Companies House first then file the Confirmation Statement afterwards.

Many people make the mistake of filing the statement before updating the records. This leads to inconsistencies and often requires amendment filings.

Why an Accountant Helps (Even if the Statement Looks Simple)

On the surface a Confirmation Statement seems simple. In reality it can become complicated when:

• You have multiple shareholders
• You have changed your SIC code
• You have altered your share structure
• You have appointed or removed directors
• You have reorganised your business
• You have set up a new holding company or subsidiary

I often see clients try to do this themselves then accidentally change something important such as the share class or PSC details without realising the long term impact. An incorrect Confirmation Statement can cause issues with lending, tax planning, share ownership and even the legal structure of your business.

When we handle Confirmation Statements we make sure everything is accurate, consistent and aligned with your long term plans.

If You Run More Than One Company

If you operate more than one company in Bedford the risk of missing a Confirmation Statement increases. Each company has its own deadline and its own responsibilities. It only takes one oversight for Companies House to issue a warning or start strike off action.

We manage multiple companies for clients and keep every deadline organised. This protects your companies and saves you from unnecessary stress.

Why Confirmation Statements Are Getting More Important

Companies House is tightening its regulations as part of the Economic Crime and Transparency Act. This means:

• More scrutiny
• More director verification
• More compliance checks
• More updates required
• More penalties for incorrect information

Your Confirmation Statement will soon play an even larger role in verifying that your company is legitimate and up to date. In my opinion keeping this clean and correct will become as important as filing your accounts.

How We Support You at Towerstone

We work hand in hand with our clients to ensure every Companies House obligation is met. While we do not offer weekend or in person evening appointments we do speak with clients during early evenings where needed.

When we take responsibility for your Confirmation Statements we:

• Track every deadline
• Review your company structure
• Check your PSC and shareholder details
• Ensure your SIC code is accurate
• Update Companies House when changes occur
• File the statement on your behalf on time every time

Clients often tell us the relief they feel once they know this is being handled professionally.

The Bottom Line for Bedford Business Owners

Yes you must file a Confirmation Statement every year and yes it is important. It keeps your company legally compliant and prevents Companies House from taking action against you. While the form looks simple the details behind it matter and getting them wrong can create avoidable problems. With the right support it becomes one of the easiest parts of running your company.