We have previously alerted readers to forthcoming changes at Companies House and we will continue to provide updates as more details become available.
These changes will only affect organisations which operate as limited companies.
Verifying identities
The most immediate change is taking effect from 18 November 2025. From that date all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will begin to be legally required to verify their identity under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
This is required to be completed before the due date of their next Companies House Annual Confirmation Statement. In most cases this will be done online, either through an app or by answering security questions. In some cases, it will be necessary to go to a Post Office and verify their identity using previously issued Photo ID.
Filing accounts using software
The other change which has been announced is that from 1 April 2027 all companies will need to file their annual accounts using commercial software. This means that Companies House will stop accepting paper-based accounts from that date.
Whether you file accounts yourself or through an accountant or agent, you’ll need to use software from that point forward. This is a particular problem for charitable companies as they are not eligible to submit micro-entity accounts.
Stewardship is currently working towards a solution for our accounts examination clients who operate as charitable companies and will give further details in due course.
We will continue to provide updates as further details of the changes are issued.
Sharpen
Quarterly emails for trustees, treasurers and Church and Charity Leaders. Practical tools, technical resources and expert guidance to safeguard your mission and ministry.
Archie McDowall
Archie joined our Accounts Examination Services team in 2020. Prior to this he was Deputy General Treasurer of the Church of Scotland and before that he managed the charity audit section of a firm of Chartered Accountants. Archie has been involved in advising treasurers and trustees of charities for many years and has also served as a trustee of various charities.
Archie and his wife Sarah live in Essex, where he preaches and leads worship in various different churches on a regular basis. Their daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren live in Lancashire. In his spare time Archie enjoys going to the theatre.
Archie is passionate about the local church and the ways in which it serves its community and the most vulnerable on the margins of society. He recognises the importance of supporting volunteers within churches, particularly those who are facing pressures to comply with increasingly complex legislation on finance and governance.
