Roles of Companies House

Companies House, an executive agency of the UK government, is the authorized registrar of business incorporations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its main headquarters are in Cardiff, while the operational offices are in Belfast, Edinburgh as well as London. As a state-funded body, Companies House performs several vital functions, including provision of company registration information to the public, ensuring compliance and enforcing rules.

Companies House: Roles and Duties

Apart from validating and authorizing company formation applications and providing a unique company number, Companies House also:

Regulates statutory accounts: All companies are legally bound to prepare and submit annual statutory account, which is handled by the sole registration authority. The submission deadlines differ according to the type of company. For example, Public Limited business houses are allowed a shorter time period to complete their financial statements than the private entities. Companies House verifies that the submitted documents are prepared in compliance with the required format for the company type in question. It checks for any exemptions related to small and medium-sized businesses.

Ensures submission of annual returns: Submission of yearly returns is another legal requisite of companies functioning in the UK. Firms are supposed to detail information about the directors, secretary, shareholders as well as their current registered address. Companies House takes care of all this.

Tracks company changes: Certain circumstances, such as transfer of powers, appointment of a new director or secretary, change of official address and other similar alterations, require notifying Companies House about them. The notifications can be made electronically or through paper. Forms 288a, 288b and 287 need to be used to make and report the changes. The Registrar of Companies will offer the validation stamp if the procedure is completed properly. Companies House would also file and maintain a record of all these changes.

Provides business information: This authority offers facilities allowing the general public access to necessary information about registered UK companies. The details can be accessed via pots or electronically, the latter being the most convenient method of procuring information. However, a company director’s residential address is no longer displayed in the public domain. This has been as a security measure for celebrities, high profile businessmen and those operating in sensitive areas. Anyone needing access to such information has to apply to the court with evidence of genuine requirement.

You can submit your application to this supreme company incorporation authority via an agent, the easier and time-effective option. Choose the experienced professionals at www.companyformations247.co.uk to complete this task for you.