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Companies House reform

The proposals outlined in the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform White Paper are the latest in a series of reforms intended to reduce use of UK companies for criminal purposes and increase the amount (and quality) of information disclosed about UK companies.
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Regulation
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Insights

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act becomes law

We outline the changes and implications of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
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Insights news

Companies House reforms: proposed changes and implementation progress

As the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill makes its way through Parliament, ICAEW Economic Crime Manager Mike Miller examines the proposed changes to Companies House and the progress of their implementation.
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The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill: accounts and filing aspects

This page looks at the UK government’s reforms to Companies House that impact the preparation and filing of accounts. It also signposts to information on other measures contained within the Bill.
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Insights news

Companies House reforms on the horizon

Part two of the Economic Crime Bill, setting out extensive provisions to reform Companies House, has been introduced to Parliament. This article focuses on the measures intended to improve financial information on the register.
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Podcast

What’s in the second Economic Crime Bill?

In this episode of the ICAEW Insights podcast, we look at the Economic Crime Bill currently passing through Parliament.
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Company Law

On 28 February 2022, the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform White Paper. The latest proposals will result in substantial change to the UK’s company law framework and the role of Companies House and have been described as the most significant reforms to the registration regime in 150 years.

Corporate Transparency and Register Reform
  • Helpsheets and support
Details of the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform proposals and ICAEW’s involvement.
Corporate Transparency and Register Reform White Paper
  • Website
Published in February 2022, the White paper sets out the government's plans for reform of the UK companies register and its response to final consultations.

News from Companies House

Reviewing Companies House fees
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2023
How new powers will be funded.
Moving to software-only filing
  • Article
  • 10 Feb 2023
Companies House sets out its vision to create a single, cost-effective, sustainable way of filing accounts.
Small company filing options
  • Article
  • 10 Feb 2023
Companies House explains the upcoming changes for small and micro companies.

Corporate Reporting Faculty

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill: accounts and filing aspects
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 09 Dec 2022
This page looks at the UK government’s reforms to Companies House that impact the preparation and filing of accounts. It also signposts to information on other measures contained within the Bill.
Exclusive Transforming the company register
  • Article
  • 04 Jul 2022
Highlighting changes in filing requirements set to affect all UK companies.
Exclusive Filing requirements for UK companies
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 06 Sep 2019
On this page the Corporate Reporting Faculty outlines the periods allowed for filing and provides links to further guidance including on the filing options for small companies and micro-entities.

Insights News

Companies House: a cornerstone in the fight against economic crime
  • Article
  • 12 Jul 2023
Barring any major bumps in the road, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill should gain Royal Assent this month. Companies House Chair John Clarke explains what the new powers mean for the Register and how businesses should benefit.
Economic Crime Bill 2: what it means for you
  • Article
  • 11 Oct 2022
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will be heard in Parliament this month. Here’s what it contains, and what it might mean for accountants.
Companies House reform: key changes and affected areas
  • Article
  • 25 Mar 2022
The government’s final response to previous consultations on Corporate Transparency and Register Reform sets out 58 changes across nine areas.

Technical Advisory Service helpsheets

Exclusive Balance sheet statements for small companies and LLPs
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 01 Dec 2015
Technical helpsheet to help ICAEW members to understand the balance sheet statements required where small companies and LLPs take advantage of the small companies or LLPs regime in the preparation of their accounts and when taking advantage of audit exemption.
Exclusive Using electronic signatures
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 29 Jul 2020
This helpsheet has been issued by ICAEW’s Technical Advisory Service to inform members what they need to take into considerations when using electronic signatures to sign reports and documents.

Economic crime

Economic crime is an area of growing concern for many businesses. The National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) was created to tackle fraud, money laundering and corruption head on and continues to build important partnerships with regulators including ICAEW and the private sector. Chartered accountants play a crucial role by ensuring that they are following best practices for AML and advising clients on preventing and detecting fraud. Members must also remain up to date with how sanctions apply to their business, their staff and their clients.
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