Did you know that a small company can file 24 different versions of its accounts?

The filing requirements for small companies in respect of their accounts for accounting periods commencing on or after 6 April 2008 are set out in sections 444 and 444A of the Companies Act 2006.

There are various options and these depend on the basis on which the full shareholder accounts are prepared.

The company always has the option to file the full shareholder accounts at Companies House, but there are further options. The options depend on whether or not the full accounts are prepared under UK GAAP or International Accounting Standards (IAS). If the full accounts are UK GAAP then an abbreviated balance sheet and the notes required by regulations can be filed. If the full accounts are IAS then this option to file an abbreviated balance is not available; instead the balance sheet and related notes from the full accounts may be filed. However, this option is also open to UK GAAP accounts. In both cases the profit and loss account and/ or directors’ report may also be filed. Whilst some of the options are a little contrived they are nevertheless valid. They are listed below: 

Type of accounts	What can be filed?
Full UK GAAP accounts	1. Full UK GAAP accounts
	2. Abbreviated accounts
	3. Balance sheet and notes
	4. Balance sheet, P&L and notes
	5. Balance sheet, notes and directors’ report
UK GAAP & Small company exemptions	6. UK GAAP small company exemption accounts
	7. Abbreviated accounts
	8. Balance sheet and notes
	9. Balance sheet, P&L and notes
	10. Balance sheet, notes and directors’ report
FRSSE but not small company exemptions	11. FRSSE but not small company exemption accounts
	12. Abbreviated accounts
	13. Balance sheet and notes
	14. Balance sheet, P&L and notes
	15. Balance sheet, notes and directors’ report
FRSSE & Small company exemptions	16. FRSSE & small company exemption accounts
	17. Abbreviated accounts
	18. Balance sheet and notes
	19. Balance sheet, P&L and notes
	20. Balance sheet, notes and directors’ report
IAS Accounts	21. IAS Accounts
	22. Balance sheet and notes
	23. Balance sheet, P&L and notes
	24. Balance sheet, notes and directors’ report

Andy Holton
June 2009