Read the following five questions. If you answer YES to any of these, read the whole article!!

• Are you a charitable company?
• Are you a company limited by guarantee?
• Are you filing your accounts with Companies House?
• Have you delivered your accounts and been rejected?

Most Companies House rejections were due to simple errors or omissions but the rejection can have a severe impact e.g. an automatic late filing penalty if the accounts are not returned before the filing deadline.

To avoid your accounts being rejected, please:

1. Submit audit exempt abbreviated accounts and dormant company accounts online using their web filing service (safest and most secure way to file as it has inbuilt checks to ensure you do provide the right information)
2. Include the right statements to the accounts: for accounts with a period beginning on or after 6 April 2008, accounts must contain the relevant statement of the Companies Act 2006
3. Say if accounts have been changed: Any amended / revised accounts must be marked `amended’ or `revised’ as otherwise any duplicate accounts will be rejected
4. Make sure people have signed: the foot of the balance sheet must be signed by a Director and the Directors Report must state the name of the person who signed on behalf of the Board.
5. Make sure the Accounting Reference Date matches the Made Up Date - file Form AA01 to change your accounting reference date with your accounts before the last date for filing the accounts.

These are the most common reasons for account rejection. You can see more at www.companieshouse.gov.uk. You can also get support in accounting and financial management from Maroof Adeoye