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Companies House guide

First-year limited-company Companies House checklist

The first company year should include planning for the first accounts, confirmation statement, company records and access to Companies House filing services.

Last reviewed
18 July 2026
Sources checked
18 July 2026
Reading time
6 minutes

Written by Business Sorted editorial team

Business Sorted provides general educational information and organisation tools. It is not Companies House, HMRC, a solicitor, an accountant, a tax adviser or a regulated professional adviser. Check official sources and get professional advice where your circumstances need it.

Direct answer

In the first year, directors should save incorporation details, check the company register, organise the company authentication code, track the first accounts deadline, track the first confirmation statement review period and keep company records up to date.

Key facts

  • First accounts and first confirmation statement dates are separate.
  • The company authentication code should be organised before filing deadlines.
  • Company and accounting records should be kept from the start.
  • Company changes may need separate Companies House filings when they happen.

First-year dates to record

Record the first accounts deadline and the first confirmation statement review period. GOV.UK says first private company accounts are usually due 21 months after registration, while the first confirmation statement review period normally ends 12 months after incorporation.

These dates are not the same and can lead to different preparation tasks. Check the company register for the official company-specific dates.

Access to organise early

Request and store the company authentication code securely before you need to file. Companies House says delivery of the code can take up to 10 working days.

Confirm who can access WebFiling or Companies House services, who receives reminders and where source links are stored.

Records and changes to keep current

Keep incorporation documents, company records, shareholder information, director details and accounting records from the start. GOV.UK says directors must keep company records and accounting records.

If the registered office, director details or PSC information changes, use the correct Companies House process instead of waiting for the annual confirmation statement.

Frequently asked questions

Is the first accounts deadline the same as the first confirmation statement date?

No. They are separate Companies House tasks with different timing rules.

Can BusinessSorted file first-year Companies House documents?

No. BusinessSorted helps organise the obligations and reminders; it does not file Companies House documents for you.

Related guides

When are first company accounts due?Understand the special first accounts deadline for private limited companies and why it can differ from later annual accounts deadlines.When is my confirmation statement due?Find out how the Companies House confirmation statement review period works and where UK directors can check the exact filing deadline.What is a company authentication code?Understand what a Companies House company authentication code is, why it matters and how directors should protect it.Directors' responsibilities checklistA plain-English Companies House responsibilities checklist for UK limited-company directors, with official source links.Companies House deadlines explainedA plain-English overview of the main Companies House deadlines UK limited-company directors should track and how they differ from HMRC dates.

Useful next steps

Keep the first company year organised

Your first company year includes several important dates. BusinessSorted helps you keep them organised in one place.

Relevant feature: First-year company setup checklist.

Start setup Companies House resources