Payroll Services in the UK | Alexander David Accounting

What You Need to Do Before Filing Accounts

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October 10, 2025

Tax & Compliance

Introduction

As a UK small business owner, the year-end can feel overwhelming. From gathering paperwork to filing with HMRC and Companies House, missing a step can result in costly penalties. To make things easier, we’ve put together a UK year-end accounts checklist to help you stay organised, compliant, and stress-free.

Step 1: Organise Your Bookkeeping Records

Before anything else, make sure your financial records are up to date. This includes:

Recording all income and expenses
Checking receipts and invoices are stored properly
Ensuring your accounting software (or spreadsheets) match your records

Accurate bookkeeping saves time and helps avoid errors when filing accounts.

Step 2: Reconcile Bank Accounts

Compare your bank statements with your bookkeeping records. Reconciliation ensures:

No missing transactions
No duplicate entries
Correct cash flow reporting

This step is crucial for both accuracy and compliance.

Step 3: Review Unpaid Invoices & Expenses

Outstanding payments and expenses need attention before year-end.
- Chase late invoices from clients
- Record unpaid supplier bills
- Account for expenses such as subscriptions, utilities, and mileage
This ensures your profit and loss statement reflects the true financial position of your business.

Step 4: Prepare for Tax

Depending on your business type, you’ll need to plan for:

Corporation Tax (for limited companies)
Self Assessment Tax (for sole traders and partnerships)

VAT Returns (if VAT-registered)

Put money aside for upcoming tax liabilities so you don’t face cash flow issues.

Step 5: File Accounts with Companies House & HMRC

Final step – submit your year-end documents on time:

File statutory accounts with Companies House (if a limited company)
Submit your company tax return or self-assessment tax return to HMRC
Pay any tax due before the deadline

Missing deadlines can lead to fines, so set reminders or work with an accountant.

Final Thoughts

Year-end doesn’t have to be stressful. By following this UK year-end accounts checklist, you’ll stay organised, compliant, and ready to grow your business in the next financial year.

Don’t want to deal with year-end stress? Alexander David offers expert UK accounting and bookkeeping services to keep your business compliant and your finances worry-free.

Tags :

bookkeeping tips,compliance accounts,HMRC deadlines,UK accounting tips,year-end accounts

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