E-file pre-configured UK accounts

You can use Entities e-filing to submit UK account files you’ve prepared in 3rd party applications to Companies House. You can upload iXBRL-formatted files to the related Data Library as HTML or ZIP files and use the UK e-filing wizard to file them with Companies House.

Note

The following must be submitted to Companies House directly:

  • Account files larger than 1MB — through Companies House web portal
  • A statement of guarantee and the accompanying AA06 form — in hard copy format

Process overview

Before you move to e-file UK accounts, review the steps required to prepare the data.

  1. Review the prerequisites.
  2. Configure the account file in a 3rd party application.
  3. Upload and electronically file the account file.

Prerequisites

Your files and data must meet the following criteria before you e-file account files through Entities.

UK e-filing configuration

You must have a configured e-filing account with Companies House.

For information on how to register for an electronic filing account and configure e-filing for the UK, see Set up Electronic Filing for the United Kingdom.

File requirements

Each UK accounts file must meet the following criteria:

  • The file must be iXBRL-tagged using a 3rd party application.
  • The file format must be ZIP or HTML.
  • The file must be 1MB or smaller.

Company information requirements

The company for which you e-file accounts, have the following details recorded in Entities:

  • Complete, up-to-date information in the Compliance > Accounts tab:
    • In the Accounting Dates section, the Current Period End date must be a future date and must be within the current financial year the company is in.
    • In the Accounts Compliance section, the Last Accounts date must indicate the accounts filed prior to the account being uploaded and e-filed.

Upload and e-file the UK accounts file

When your files and company data are ready, you can move on to creating the relevant Data Library, uploading the file, and electronically filing it with Companies House.

  1. Open Company Details of the company you’re filing for.
  2. From Wizards, select Documents > Accounts.

    The Accounts Wizard window opens.

  3. If the Accounts Upload Data Library does not exist yet, select Create next to Confirm Accounts Attachments and proceed through the steps to provide the details for the Data Library.

    For more information about Data Libraries, see Data Library.

  4. On the Add Attachments wizard page, select Import Document Wizard and upload the iXBRL-formatted accounts file.
  5. On the Document Properties page, you can provide additional details of the file and set up a reminder.
  6. After you complete the Import Document wizard, select Finish to return to the initial Accounts page of the Accounts Wizard.
  7. To proceed, select Next. On the following pages, you can record further details about the account file, specify how to save the event, and select the signatory.
  8. On the Documents page, select the relevant files from the list. Select Next to proceed.
  9. On the Finish page, you can select the uploaded file’s name to open a preview of the file and review its contents for accuracy.
  10. To prepare the accounts message for e-filing, select the checkbox next to the file. From Other Options, select Efile documents.

    The Efile Document Wizard window opens.

  11. In the wizard, select the checkbox against the account file again and select Finish.

    This assigns the Verified & Queued status to the package and prepares the accounts message for e-filing.

  12. If you have the automated send and receive features enabled, you don’t have to do anything else. Your accounts package is automatically submitted to Companies House.

    If you don’t have these features, or want to send the package immediately, you can send the message using the Send & Receive option:

    1. Go to Working Documents > Electronic Filing.
    2. Select Send & Receive.

      The EF Send and Receive wizard opens.

    3. Select the relevant options to submit the e-filing messages prepared.

      For more information on the automated send and receive capabilities, see User Role Rights.

You can check the status of your e-filed document in the Documents tab.

For more information on electronically filing documents, go to Electronic filing.