Can an Accountant File Your Confirmation Statement?

Yes. An accountant can file a confirmation statement on behalf of your UK limited company, provided they use an appropriate Companies House filing method and have the necessary information and access. You do not have to complete the filing yourself simply because you are a company director. Many business owners ask their accountants to handle confirmation statements as part of their ongoing company compliance services.

This can save time, particularly if you run several companies, live outside the UK or prefer to keep routine administrative work with a professional who already understands your business. However, you should check what your accountant's service includes, provide accurate company information and make sure the filing is completed before the deadline. There is also an important distinction between an accountant who prepares your annual accounts and one who actually files your confirmation statement. These are separate tasks, and not every accounting package includes both.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement is a filing made with Companies House to confirm that the information held about a registered company is accurate as of a specified date. It is usually submitted using the online filing service or Form CS01. Every UK limited company must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months, even if the business has not traded or none of its details have changed. Depending on the company, the information reviewed may include:

• The registered office address.
• Directors and company secretary, where applicable.
• Shareholders and share capital.
• People with Significant Control (PSCs).
• The company's registered email address.
• The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code.
• Relevant information about shareholder rights and shareholdings.

A confirmation statement is not an annual financial report. It does not replace annual accounts, Corporation Tax returns or other applicable tax filings. Its purpose is to help Companies House maintain an accurate public register of UK companies.

Why Ask an Accountant to File Your Confirmation Statement?

For some businesses, filing a confirmation statement is a straightforward administrative task. For others, professional support can help prevent mistakes and make recurring compliance easier to manage.

1. Your accountant may already know your company

If your accountant prepares your annual accounts, maintains your financial records or advises on company structure, they may already have much of the information needed to review your confirmation statement.

They can help identify discrepancies between your records and the information held at Companies House. For example, if your shareholding has changed or the company has updated its business activity, they can flag information that may need attention. However, they will still need you to confirm changes they cannot reliably establish from the information available to them.

2. It reduces administrative work

Company directors often have to balance sales, staff, customers, suppliers and business planning. Keeping track of filing dates can become difficult, especially when several companies are involved.

An accountant who offers confirmation statement filing may be able to include the task in a compliance calendar and contact you when information or approval is needed. This is particularly useful for founders who manage UK companies remotely and cannot easily visit a local adviser.

3. It can help identify errors before submission

A confirmation statement is an opportunity to review company information, not merely a formality to complete each year. An accountant may notice outdated shareholder information, inconsistent records or a detail that needs to be changed separately with Companies House.

That said, accountants do not automatically handle every legal or corporate change. If your company has complex ownership arrangements, disputed shares or a restructuring, specialist legal advice may also be appropriate.

4. It can simplify ongoing compliance

Some accountants offer company secretarial or administrative support alongside tax and accounting services. If so, they may be able to coordinate confirmation statements with other recurring obligations. Before relying on this arrangement, confirm exactly which filings they monitor and which remain your responsibility.

What Does an Accountant Need to File Your Confirmation Statement?

Your accountant will need sufficient information and an appropriate way to submit the filing. The exact requirements depend on the filing service they use and the company's circumstances.

Company details and filing access

Your accountant will normally need the company registration number, confirmation statement deadline and access to the relevant filing arrangements. For Companies House WebFiling, the company authentication code is generally required. If the accountant files through suitable commercial software or another permitted route, the access process may differ.

Do not assume that being your accountant automatically gives them access to your Companies House account. Agree on the filing method and provide the necessary information securely.

Accurate company information

Your accountant may ask you to confirm or review:

• Whether the registered office address is correct.
• Whether any directors or company secretaries have changed.
• Whether shareholdings or share capital have changed.
• Whether the details of any people with significant control are accurate.
• Whether the company's SIC code still reflects its activities.
• Whether any relevant company information needs to be updated separately.

A confirmation statement can be submitted even when nothing has changed, but the information must still be checked.

Companies House personal codes

Identity verification is now an important part of the process. Directors must verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code as part of the confirmation statement filing process. If a company has multiple directors, each director's personal code must be provided as required. The personal code belongs to the individual, not the company or accountant. Companies House guidance says you can share it with someone you trust to file on your behalf, but you should keep it secure.

If your accountant also offers identity verification services, ask whether they are registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). ACSP registration is relevant to carrying out specified authorised services, including identity verification; it should not be confused with a blanket requirement that every accountant using an existing permitted filing method must be an ACSP.

How Does an Accountant File a Confirmation Statement?

The process usually involves five stages.

1. Check the deadline. The accountant reviews the company's confirmation statement date and filing history to identify when the statement is due and whether anything is overdue.
2. Review the company information. They compare the information held at Companies House with the details and records available to them, then ask you to confirm any changes or uncertainties.
3. Resolve changes before filing. If information must be updated separately, the accountant identifies the relevant filing or asks you to arrange it. A confirmation statement does not update every type of company record.
4. Complete and submit the statement. Using the appropriate filing route, the accountant submits the statement and handles the Companies House fee as agreed with you.
5. Confirm completion. Ask for the submission confirmation or reference and check the company's Companies House filing history to ensure the statement has been recorded.

This process is generally straightforward for a company with simple ownership and no changes. It may take more preparation if there are multiple shareholders, recent transfers of shares, missing identity verification details or inaccurate company records.

How Much Does an Accountant Charge to File a Confirmation Statement?

The cost has two possible components: the statutory Companies House fee and the accountant's service fee. As of October 2026, Companies House charges £50 for online or software filing and £110 for paper filing. The annual fee is generally payable with the first confirmation statement in the relevant 12-month payment period; submitting another statement in the same payment period does not normally trigger another fee. An accountant may:

• Include the filing in an annual accounting or company secretarial package.
• Charge a separate fee for preparing and submitting it.
• Charge additional fees if the company needs corrections or other filings first.

There is no single accountant fee that applies to every firm. Ask for a written quote and clarify whether it includes the Companies House charge. For a straightforward company, filing yourself may be cheaper. If you already pay an accountant for ongoing compliance, having them handle the confirmation statement may be a practical way to keep recurring tasks organised.

Is Your Accountant Legally Responsible for Filing It on Time?

An accountant can take responsibility for carrying out the work agreed with you, but appointing one does not automatically transfer all company compliance responsibilities away from the company and its directors.

The director should make sure the accountant has accurate information, understands the scope of the engagement and has enough time to submit the filing. It is also sensible to confirm that the statement was accepted rather than assuming it was filed because you sent the requested documents.

For example, suppose your accountant agrees to file your confirmation statement but does not receive your director identity verification code in time. If the submission cannot be completed, you still need to act to avoid missing the deadline. Set clear expectations with your accountant about:

• Who monitors the deadline.
• When they will request information from you.
• Who is responsible for checking company details.
• Whether the Companies House fee is included.
• How you will be notified when the filing is complete.
• What happens if information is missing or the filing is rejected.

Companies House states that a company may face a financial penalty of up to £5,000 and may be struck off the register if it fails to file its confirmation statement.

Can You File the Confirmation Statement Yourself Instead?

Yes. You do not have to hire an accountant just to submit a confirmation statement. If your company has straightforward ownership, its records are accurate and you are comfortable using the Companies House service, you may be able to file it yourself. Start by checking the company's deadline and filing history on the Companies House register. Then use the official confirmation statement filing service and make sure the required identity verification details are available.

The standard online service has eligibility conditions. For example, a separate filing service is available for certain private companies limited by shares with one shareholder and a limited number of officers and people with significant control. Companies that do not meet its criteria may need to use WebFiling instead. If you manage several companies, have complicated shareholding arrangements or are uncertain about the information on the register, professional support may be worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my accountant file my confirmation statement without me doing anything?

Your accountant can handle much of the process, but they will still need the appropriate access, accurate company information and any required identity verification details. You may also need to confirm changes or answer questions before the filing can be completed.

2. Does every accountant offer confirmation statement filing?

No. Some accountants include Companies House filings in their services, while others focus on bookkeeping, accounts and tax returns. Ask whether confirmation statement preparation and submission are specifically included in your agreement.

3. Does my accountant need to be registered as an ACSP?

Not necessarily for every filing method. ACSP registration is relevant to specified authorised services, including identity verification. Ask your accountant which filing and verification services they provide and whether registration is required for the particular service you need.

4. Do I need to give my accountant my Companies House personal code?

If your accountant is filing on your behalf, they may need the relevant director personal code to complete the required verification steps. Companies House permits sharing the code with trusted people who file for you. Share it securely and only with someone you trust.

5. Can an accountant file a confirmation statement if nothing has changed?

Yes. A company must file a confirmation statement even when its details remain unchanged. The accountant should still check that the information is accurate before submitting it.

6. Can my accountant file the confirmation statement and annual accounts together?

An accountant may handle both as part of the same service, but they are separate filings with different purposes and deadlines. Confirm that both are included in your engagement and that each will be submitted on time.

7. What happens if my accountant misses the deadline?

Contact the accountant immediately to establish what happened and arrange for the filing to be completed as soon as possible. Companies House may impose a penalty and may take steps to strike the company off the register. Do not assume that appointing an accountant removes the company's compliance risk.

8. How can I check whether my accountant has filed the statement?

Ask for the submission confirmation or filing reference, then check the company's filing history on Companies House. If the statement is missing or was rejected, contact your accountant promptly.

Conclusion

Yes, an accountant can file your UK company's confirmation statement on your behalf. It is a common way to manage company administration, particularly when your accountant already handles other compliance work. Before delegating, confirm the service fee, agree who will monitor the deadline, provide accurate company information and ensure that the required director identity verification details are available.

For founders managing a UK company from overseas or running several businesses, a reliable filing process can make compliance easier to manage. Company management platforms such as IncorpUK may also help organise filing dates and company records, depending on the services included in the chosen package. The essential point is simple: you can delegate the work, but you should still check that the confirmation statement has been filed correctly and on time.