What to look for in statutory accounts software
Choose statutory accounts software that applies the 2025 size thresholds and the 2026 FRS 102 changes, builds the notes from the same figures as the statements, records review and approval, and produces what you must file: iXBRL accounts for Companies House from 1 April 2028 and a CT600 through HMRC-recognised software.
Key facts
| Size thresholds | Financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| FRS 102 changes | Periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026 |
| Companies House | Software-only iXBRL filing from 1 April 2028 |
| HMRC | CT600 only through commercial software since 31 March 2026; recognised software is listed by HMRC |
| Identity | Verification of presenters expected no earlier than November 2027 |
As at 25 October 2026.
The checklist
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does it apply the thresholds for years from 6 April 2025, the two-year rule and the transitional rule? | A company can change size class because of the 2025 uplift, and the accounts for an earlier year must still use the old limits. |
| Does it support FRS 105, FRS 102 Section 1A and full FRS 102? | The framework follows the size, and a micro-entity may choose Section 1A. |
| Are the 2026 FRS 102 changes built in? | Leases on the balance sheet, the five-step revenue model, and new small company notes such as going concern and dividends. |
| Are the notes linked to the statements? | A late adjustment must change every figure that depends on it. |
| Can it take last year's figures from the accounts filed at Companies House? | The comparatives must agree with the accounts filed for last year. |
| Does it record review and approval? | The board approves and a director signs; the record shows what was approved, when. |
| What does it produce for filing? | From 1 April 2028, iXBRL through commercial software accepted by Companies House; the filing version for the size (full, filleted, micro). |
| Does it prepare the CT600, and is that software HMRC-recognised? | Returns are filed only with commercial software since 31 March 2026; HMRC publishes the list of recognised suppliers. |
| Where is the data stored, and how is AI used? | Personal and financial data of the company; AI should suggest and draft, not decide amounts. |
| What does it cost per company and year? | Compare the total for your number of companies, including the CT600. |
Red flags
- Claims to be 'ready to file' when it cannot produce iXBRL or is not accepted for software filing.
- Guarantees of accuracy or compliance: the directors remain responsible for what they approve.
- AI that writes figures into the accounts without a calculation you can trace.
- No clear statement of which size thresholds and which version of FRS 102 it applies.
How StatutoryAccounts.io measures up
| Checklist item | StatutoryAccounts.io |
|---|---|
| 2025 thresholds, two-year rule | Applied when working out the size class |
| FRS 105, Section 1A, full FRS 102 | Supported |
| Notes linked to the statements | Built from the same mapped figures |
| Prior year from Companies House | Takes over last year's filed accounts |
| Review and approval record | Comments, changes and approval per financial year |
| Filing output | Companies House filing pack prepared for filing; iXBRL in preparation; not a software filer |
| CT600 | In preparation; not HMRC-recognised |
| Data and AI | London (eu-west-2); Anthropic commercial API, no training on API data by default |
| Price | From £129 (micro-entity) to £1,999 (large) per company per year, excluding VAT, CT600 included; first set free |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need HMRC-recognised software for my accounts?
For the Corporation Tax return, yes: it is filed only through commercial software since 31 March 2026. For Companies House, software filing becomes the only route from 1 April 2028.
What should statutory accounts software cost?
Prices vary by model: per company, per year or by subscription. Compare the total for your companies and years, and whether the CT600 is included.
Is AI in accounts software safe to use?
It is useful for mapping and drafting when you review its suggestions and the amounts come from calculations. Check where the data goes and whether it is used for training.
Sources
- The Companies (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/1303)
- FRC: amendments to FRS 102 and other FRSs, Periodic Review 2024
- Companies House: update to accounts filing from April 2028 (23 October 2026)
- Companies House: using software to file your company's information
- HMRC: closure of the service to file your company accounts and tax return
- HMRC: Corporation Tax commercial software suppliers
- Companies House: ECCTA outline transition plan
Prepare your statutory accounts
Create an account and set up your company from the Companies House register; your first set of accounts is free. The trial balance import and the CT600 are in preparation.
Join the waitlistGeneral information about UK company law and tax, not legal or tax advice. The directors remain responsible for the accounts and returns they approve and file.