Statutory accounts software or an accountant?
An accountant brings judgement, advice and responsibility for the work they agree to do; software brings the formats, the rules and the calculations, quickly and at a fixed price. Either way the directors approve the accounts and remain responsible for them. Many companies combine the two: software prepares the accounts, and an accountant reviews, advises or files.
Key facts
| Responsible for the accounts | The directors, who approve them; a director signs the balance sheet |
|---|---|
| Accountant adds | Advice, judgement, an accountants' report, tax planning, filing as agent |
| Software adds | Formats, size rules, notes tied to the figures, a fixed price per set |
| Audit | Needs an auditor whatever you choose, unless the company is exempt |
| Status | Trial balance import, CT600 module and iXBRL output in preparation; accounts prepared for filing, not submitted |
As at 25 October 2026.
Who does what
| Task | Accountant engagement | Software | Always the directors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping and the trial balance | Often | Imports it | |
| Year-end adjustments (depreciation, accruals, provisions) | Yes | You enter them | Decide the estimates |
| Company size, framework and formats | Yes | Applied by rules | |
| Notes and directors' report | Drafted | Drafted with AI for review | Approve the content |
| Going concern and other judgements | Advises | No | Decide |
| Accountants' report on unaudited accounts | Yes, if engaged | No | |
| Corporation Tax computation and CT600 | Yes | Prepared for filing (in preparation) | Approve the return |
| Approve and sign the accounts | No | No | Yes |
| File at Companies House and HMRC | As agent | Prepared for filing | Responsible for filing on time |
When an accountant is the better choice
- Your bookkeeping is incomplete or unreconciled, so the trial balance itself needs work.
- There are judgements you are not comfortable making: going concern, provisions, valuations, a change of framework.
- You want tax advice, not just a return: reliefs, losses, remuneration and dividends, director's loans.
- The company needs an audit, or is a charity, bank, insurer or group, which software like StatutoryAccounts.io does not cover.
- You want someone else to file as your agent, now and under the identity verification rules for presenters expected from November 2027 at the earliest.
When software is enough
A micro-entity or small company with reconciled books, simple affairs and a director who understands the figures can prepare its own accounts with software. The software applies the formats and rules; the director reviews the mapping, the notes and the statements, approves the accounts and files them. Many accountants also use software in exactly this way for their clients.
Where StatutoryAccounts.io fits
StatutoryAccounts.io is accounts production software, not an accountancy firm: it gives no legal or tax advice and issues no accountants' or auditor's report. Its price is fixed per company per financial year (£129 micro-entity, £199 small, excluding VAT, with the CT600 for that year included). Accountants and bookkeepers can use it for their clients, with review and approval roles; see software for accountants.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do my company's statutory accounts without an accountant?
Yes. The law requires the directors to approve accounts that follow the Companies Act and the accounting standards; it does not require an accountant. A company that needs an audit needs an auditor.
Who is responsible if the accounts are wrong?
The directors. They approve the accounts and a director signs the balance sheet on the board's behalf, whoever prepared them.
Does an accountant's report mean the accounts were audited?
No. An accountants' report on unaudited accounts says they were compiled from the company's records; it is not an audit and is not filed at Companies House.
Sources
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.