How businesses should prepare for the 2028 Companies House accounts reforms
The UK's new reform of company accounts filing is now on a fixed timeline. From April 2028, all companies filing annual accounts with Companies House will need to file accounts through commercial software, while small and micro-entities will face new profit & loss (P&L) reporting requirements with a publication opt-out.
Although implementation is still more than a year away, multinational groups should start preparing now. The changes will affect filing processes, governance, software capability and entity management across UK corporate structures.
The countdown to April 2028 has begun
For many organisations, accounting and statutory filing processes evolve gradually over time. New compliance requirements are introduced, filing methods change and responsibility becomes distributed across finance, legal, company secretarial and external service providers.
The Companies House accounts reforms represent something different.
Following confirmation from the UK Government on 9 June 2026, a major package of reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) will come into force on 1 April 2028. The reforms are designed to improve the transparency, accuracy and reliability of information held on the Companies House register, and to modernise company reporting practices, support informed business decision-making and strengthen the UK's efforts to tackle economic crime.
The announcement ended a period of uncertainty after the original April 2027 implementation timetable was paused for further stakeholder consultation. Companies now have approximately 21 months to prepare.
While that may sound like plenty of time, organisations with multiple UK entities or legacy filing processes should view the transition period as an opportunity to strengthen compliance frameworks rather than simply meet a future deadline.
What is changing?
The reforms introduce several significant changes to how companies prepare and file annual accounts with Companies House.
These reforms form part of the wider transformation of Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Together with identity verification and the enhanced Companies House powers already in action, these reforms are the latest move towards a robust corporate reporting environment. However, they also create additional administrative, risk and financial burdens for small companies.
1. Accounts filing will become software-only
The most significant operational change is the move to mandatory software filing.
From 1 April 2028, all companies filing annual accounts with Companies House will be required to file annual accounts using commercial software in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) format. This requirement will apply whether companies file directly or through accountants, agents or corporate service providers.
As a result:
- Web-based accounts filing will end
- Paper accounts filing will end
- Accounts will require digital tagging through iXBRL
- Companies will need appropriate software solutions and supporting internal processes
Importantly, Companies House web filing will continue for certain non-accounts filings, such as confirmation statements and director updates.
2. Small and micro-entities must file profit and loss accounts
The other headline reform affects smaller businesses.
Small companies and micro-entities will be required to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House, whereas previously, many smaller businesses were able to avoid filing this information.
However, there is an important distinction: filing is mandatory, while publication may not be.
This has become one of the most misunderstood aspects of the reforms.
The government has confirmed that eligible small companies and micro-entities will be able to opt out of having their profit and loss accounts published on the public register. Filing remains mandatory, but public disclosure will not necessarily be required. The detailed process for exercising the publication opt-out has not yet been confirmed.
Even where publication is not required, Companies House, HMRC and law enforcement authorities will continue to have access to the information.
3. Abridged accounts will disappear
The option to file abridged accounts will be removed as part of the reform package. Companies currently relying on abridged filing approaches should review future reporting requirements and prepare for the transition.
4. Stronger audit exemption statements
Companies claiming audit exemption will be required to provide enhanced statements supporting their eligibility.
This change is intended to increase accountability and strengthen Companies House's ability to challenge inappropriate exemption claims.
5. Accounts components must be filed together
The reforms also require all components of accounts and related reports to be submitted together as part of a single filing process.
6. Restrictions on accounting reference period changes
Companies will face new limits on how frequently they can shorten accounting reference periods, reducing opportunities for repeated adjustments to reporting timelines.
Why was implementation delayed?
Earlier government communications indicated that many of these changes would take effect in April 2027.
However, concerns raised by stakeholders around implementation costs, software readiness and commercial confidentiality prompted additional consultation.
The resulting delay provides businesses with:
- One full accounting year
- A further nine months after year-end
- Approximately 21 months to prepare overall
The most notable policy adjustment concerns the treatment of profit and loss accounts for smaller companies.
The government maintained the filing requirement but introduced the option to opt out of publication in response to concerns around commercial sensitivity and privacy.
What does this mean for multinational groups?
While every UK company is affected, multinational groups are likely to face the most complex implementation challenges.
Large corporate groups often operate dozens or even hundreds of UK entities with varying accounting standards, governance structures and reporting processes.
For these organisations, preparation may involve the following.
Reviewing entity portfolios
Many groups have dormant, holding or legacy entities that remain fully within scope of the reforms. Mapping the entire UK entity population is an important first step. Groups should identify entities that currently rely on WebFiling or paper filing, as these routes will no longer be available for accounts filings from 1 April 2028.
Establishing consistent filing approaches
Groups operating under different accounting frameworks, including FRS 101, FRS 102, FRS 105 and IFRS, will need consistent approaches to accounts production, digital tagging and submission.
Assessing software readiness
Transitioning from manual, web-based or paper-based filing processes may require investment in new software, process redesign and additional controls. Organisations will also need confidence that iXBRL tagging is applied accurately and consistently.
Strengthening governance
Responsibility for statutory compliance is often shared between finance, company secretarial teams, external accountants and filing agents. The reforms increase the importance of establishing clear ownership of accounts preparation, digital reporting, filing responsibilities and compliance oversight across the entity lifecycle.
How to prepare now: a practical readiness checklist
Organisations should not wait until 2028 to begin preparing.
The most effective approach is to align readiness work with upcoming year-end cycles and broader governance initiatives.
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Reforms already in force
The April 2028 accounts reforms are not a standalone regulatory change. They represent the final major phase of the UK's ECCTA implementation programme.
Several important reforms are already in force.
- Joint HMRC/Companies House filing service closed 31 March 2026. Companies can no longer use the joint filing service. Corporation tax returns (CT600s) must now be submitted using commercial software.
- Identity verification requirements went live in November 2025. There is a transition period until November 2026.
Against this backdrop, the April 2028 reforms should be viewed as the final step in a broader modernisation agenda, moving Companies House towards a more digitally enabled and data-driven model of corporate compliance.
How TMF Group can help you prepare
The date is set, even as some implementation details are still emerging.
What is clear is that organisations will need time to assess the impact of the reforms, review their filing processes and prepare for the move to software-based accounts filing. Early action will help reduce compliance risk and avoid a rushed transition as the April 2028 deadline approaches.
At TMF Group, we can support your business throughout this transition, from entity portfolio health checks and governance reviews to identity verification requirements. We also assist with navigating software-enabled filing and broader Companies House compliance obligations.
As further information is published, we will provide additional practical guidance to help you prepare with confidence. Speak with an expert to discuss your organisation's readiness for the reforms.
