Your accounting reference date (ARD) is the closing date of your company’s financial year, marking when your annual accounts must be prepared. Companies House automatically sets this date as the anniversary of the last day of the month in which your company was incorporated.

In this post, we will clarify the concept of an accounting reference date and underscore its significance for financial reporting. We’ll also provide guidance on how to locate the ARD for your company and discuss the implications if you choose to alter the duration of your company’s financial year.

What is an accounting reference date?

An accounting reference date (ARD) marks the conclusion of a limited company’s financial year, typically spanning 12 months. It is often referred to as the company’s ‘year end’ or ‘financial year end’.

The ARD signifies the date up to which a company’s annual accounts should be prepared. This means that the financial information presented in the accounts must cover the period leading up to and including the accounting reference date.

Moreover, the ARD determines the deadline by which annual accounts must be submitted to Companies House. Companies are required to file their annual accounts within 9 months after the ARD.

Understanding and adhering to your company’s ARD is crucial for maintaining compliance with statutory obligations and ensuring timely submission of financial information to regulatory authorities.

Where do I find the accounting reference date for my company?

When you form a limited company, your accounting reference date (ARD) is automatically set as the anniversary of the last day of the month in which your company was incorporated. This makes it relatively straightforward to determine.

Example 1: If you incorporate a company on 6 August 2024, your ARD will be 31 August 2025.

Example 2: If you incorporate a company on 31 August 2024, your ARD will also be 31 August 2025.

Your ARD remains consistent every year unless you request Companies House to change it by shortening or lengthening your company’s financial year. Adjusting your ARD will subsequently alter the deadline for filing your accounts with Companies House.

If you need to find out your company’s ARD and you’ve forgotten or don’t know it, you have two options:

1. Companies House Service: You can use the Companies House online service.
2. HopeTex Online Company Manager: If you formed your company through HopeTex, you can access this service.

Both options are free to use and provide easy access to your company’s ARD information.

Companies House service

To find your accounting reference date (ARD) using the Companies House service, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Visit Companies House Service: Go to the Companies House website.
2. Search for Your Company:
   • Enter your company name or registration number in the search box provided.
   • Click on the correct company name from the list that appears on the screen.
3. Navigate to the ‘Overview’ Tab:
   • Once you have selected your company, you will be taken to the company details page.
   • Look for the ‘Overview’ tab among the navigation options and click on it.
4. Locate the ‘Accounts’ Section:
   • Scroll down the page to find the ‘Accounts’ section.
   • Your ARD will be displayed next to either ‘First accounts made up to’ or ‘Next accounts made up to’.

By following these steps, you can easily retrieve your company’s ARD from the Companies House service, ensuring you know the deadline for filing your annual accounts accurately.

HopeTex Online Company Manager

To locate your accounting reference date using HopeTex Online Company Manager, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Customer Dashboard (for existing customers).
2. Select ‘My Companies’ from the dashboard menu.
3. Click on the company ID, company name, or the ‘View’ icon associated with your company.
4. Navigate to the ‘Company Accounts’ section within the details of your company.

For those who are not currently customers of HopeTex, you can sign up for a free account here and import your company. This will grant you access to the Online Company Manager, where you can:

• Manage your company online
• View and download your company formation documents
• Access your company details, including registration number and authentication code
• Retrieve filing dates and deadlines for annual accounts and confirmation statements
• Update directors’ details and company addresses, and report changes to Companies House online
• Change your company name
• File confirmation statements
• Receive reminder alerts for approaching filing deadlines

Additionally, through this platform, you can purchase various professional company services from the online Shop, such as Registered Office Address Service, Confirmation Statement Service, Dormant Company Accounts, Business Telephone Services, and more.

If you need further assistance, feel free to explore the HopeTex online Company for detailed guidance and support.

How long is a company’s financial year?

Certainly! Here’s a regenerated version:

The financial year of a company typically spans 12 months but can vary in length.

In the first year after incorporation, your company’s financial year will:

• Begin on the day your company is formed.
• End on the accounting reference date (ARD).

Unless your company is incorporated on the last day of a month, the first financial year will be slightly longer than 12 months.

After the first year, your company’s financial year will:

• Start on the day after your accounting reference date.
• End on the accounting reference date the following year.

For example, if your company is incorporated on 6 August 2024, your accounting reference date will be 31 August 2025. Consequently, your first financial year will be longer than 12 months.

Subsequent financial years will run from 1 September 2025 (the day after ARD) to 31 August 2026 (the ARD), which is exactly 12 months long.

Going forward, your financial year and ARD will remain consistent unless you decide to change the duration of your financial year at any point.

Changing your company’s ARD

If you wish to adjust your company’s financial year to be shorter or longer than 12 months, you can request a change to your accounting reference date (ARD) through Companies House.

Here’s how you can proceed:

1. Complete Form AA01: This form is required to change your ARD. You can obtain the form from the Companies House website or use their online service.
2. Submit the Form: You have two options for submission:
   • Online: Use the WebFiling service provided by Companies House, which is generally the preferred and quickest method.
   • Paper: Alternatively, you can fill out the AA01 form manually and send it by post to Companies House.
3. Implications of the Change: Adjusting your company’s financial year will impact several aspects:
   • Your new ARD and the deadline for filing annual accounts with Companies House will be adjusted accordingly.
   • It may also affect the accounting period for Corporation Tax purposes.

It’s important to carefully consider the implications of changing your financial year and ensure that all necessary filings and deadlines are met following the adjustment.

Rules on changing your ARD

When adjusting the financial year of your company, there are specific guidelines to follow:

1. Shortening the Financial Year: You have the flexibility to shorten your company’s financial year as often as needed.
2. Lengthening the Financial Year: You can extend the financial year up to a maximum of 18 months once every 5 years, except under certain circumstances:
   • If the company is in administration.
   • To align the financial year with a subsidiary or holding (parent) company.
   • Upon receiving special permission from Companies House.
3. Timing of Changes: Changes can only be made to the current financial year or the one immediately preceding it.
4. Restrictions on Overdue Accounts: You cannot change your company’s financial year if your annual accounts are already overdue.

When making adjustments, it’s crucial to adhere to these rules to ensure compliance with Companies House regulations and to manage your company’s financial reporting effectively.

Why would I change my accounting reference date?

Changing your accounting reference date (ARD) can be beneficial for aligning your company’s financial activities with tax and reporting periods. Here are some key reasons and considerations:

1. Aligning with the Tax Year: The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year. Adjusting your ARD can synchronize your company’s financial year with this period, simplifying tax reporting and compliance.
2. Aligning with Corporation Tax Accounting Period: Your company’s financial year starts from the date of incorporation, while the accounting period for Corporation Tax begins when your company starts trading and becomes active for Corporation Tax purposes. This date may or may not coincide with your incorporation date.
3. Reasons for Misalignment: If your company doesn’t commence trading on the incorporation date, there can be a misalignment between your financial year and Corporation Tax accounting period.
4. Opting for Alignment: Many companies choose to change their ARD to bring it in line with these significant dates, enhancing efficiency in reporting and compliance. However, this decision is optional and should be based on what suits your company’s operations best.

By aligning these periods, you can streamline financial reporting, tax filings, and other administrative tasks, potentially reducing complexity and ensuring timely compliance with regulatory requirements.

Do you have any questions?

We trust this post has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of your limited company’s accounting reference date (ARD). You should now be aware of its significance, how to locate your ARD, and the necessary procedures for adjusting your company’s financial year.

If you have any queries regarding this topic or any other aspects related to establishing and managing a limited company, please feel free to get in touch with us directly or leave a comment below. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.