Accountants for small limited companies in London
We prepare your accounts and Corporation Tax return, keep your books and VAT up to date, run payroll and plan how you pay yourself, so every deadline is met and you always know where the company stands.
In short: AF Coopers & Co is a firm of ACCA Chartered Certified Accountants in Woodford Green, London. We look after small limited companies: annual accounts, Corporation Tax, confirmation statements, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and directors' tax returns. Limited company accounts start from £499, and you deal directly with a qualified accountant.
Your company's key deadlines
| What | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Confirmation statement | At least once a year, within 14 days after your review period ends (£50 to file online) |
| First accounts | 21 months after the company registered with Companies House |
| Annual accounts | 9 months after your financial year ends |
| Corporation Tax payment | 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends (instalments if taxable profits are over £1.5 million) |
| Company Tax Return | 12 months after the end of the accounting period |
Deadlines checked on gov.uk on 3 October 2026. Your own dates are shown on the Companies House register and in your HMRC account.
Late accounts cost money
Companies House charges a penalty for late accounts, and it is doubled if your accounts are late 2 years in a row:
| How late | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | £150 |
| 1 to 3 months | £375 |
| 3 to 6 months | £750 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500 |
Corporation Tax rates
- 19% (small profits rate) if your company's profits are £50,000 or less
- 25% (main rate) if profits are over £250,000
- Between the two, your company may be entitled to Marginal Relief
The £50,000 and £250,000 limits are reduced for short accounting periods and if your company has associated companies. (Source: gov.uk.)
What we do for your company
- Prepare your statutory annual accounts and file them with Companies House
- Work out your Corporation Tax and file your Company Tax Return (CT600)
- File your confirmation statement and keep your Companies House details up to date
- Keep your books in Xero or QuickBooks and submit your VAT returns
- Run payroll for directors and staff, including pension duties
- Prepare directors' Self Assessment tax returns
- Plan how you take money out of the company, through salary and dividends
- Remind you of every deadline well before it is due
Paying yourself: salary and dividends
Most directors of small companies take a mix of salary and dividends. Dividends can only be paid from profits available to distribute, and the right mix depends on your profits, your other income and current rates and allowances. We work it out with your real figures and review it each year. Read our guide to salary or dividends for company directors.
A change coming for company accounts
From 1 April 2028, companies must use commercial software to file accounts with Companies House. We already prepare and file accounts in software, so nothing changes for our clients.
Prices
- Limited company accounts: from £499
- Small business accounting: from £99 a month, with bookkeeping and VAT returns included
- Payroll and directors' tax returns: depend on your package
We always confirm your fee in writing before we start.
How it works
- Free 20-minute call. Tell us about your company, your year end and any deadlines or letters.
- Fixed fee. We confirm what we will do and what it costs, in writing.
- Handover. If you have an accountant now, we contact them for what we need and take over.
- Ongoing. We keep your books, file on time and talk to you before each deadline.
Situations we often help with
- A new company with its first accounts coming up
- One-director consultancies and contractors
- Growing companies taking on their first employees
- Accounts or confirmation statements that are overdue
- Switching accountant part-way through the year
- Companies that have just registered for VAT
Related
- Annual accounts and Corporation Tax
- Payroll and pensions
- Company formation
- Sole trader or limited company?
Who will do the work
Your work is prepared and reviewed by our qualified accountant, Muhammad Ammar Faisal (FCCA). We have over 25 years' experience post qualification. AF Coopers & Co is registered with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). More about us.
Common questions
When are my company accounts due?
A private limited company must file its annual accounts with Companies House 9 months after its financial year ends. A new company's first accounts are due 21 months after it registered with Companies House.
When do I pay Corporation Tax and file the return?
Corporation Tax is due 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period, unless taxable profits are over £1.5 million, when it is paid in instalments. The Company Tax Return is due 12 months after the end of the accounting period it covers.
What rate of Corporation Tax will my company pay?
The small profits rate is 19% for profits of £50,000 or less, and the main rate is 25% for profits over £250,000. Companies in between may get Marginal Relief. The limits are reduced for short accounting periods and if you have associated companies.
How much do you charge?
Limited company accounts start from £499. Our small business accounting package starts from £99 a month and includes VAT returns. Payroll and directors' tax returns depend on your package. We confirm the fee in writing before we start.
Can you take over from my current accountant?
Yes. We contact your previous accountant for the information we need, review where your records stand and take over from there, including telling HMRC we act for you once you have authorised us.
What happens if my accounts are late?
Companies House charges a late filing penalty of £150 if accounts are up to 1 month late, £375 for 1 to 3 months, £750 for 3 to 6 months and £1,500 for more than 6 months. The penalty is doubled if accounts are late 2 years in a row.
Do you file the confirmation statement too?
Yes. Every company must file a confirmation statement at least once a year, within 14 days after its review period ends. The Companies House fee to file online is £50.
General information only, not personal advice. Tax rules, rates and thresholds change, so please check gov.uk or speak to us about your own situation.
Get your company in good order
Tell us about your company and we will confirm a fixed fee. No obligation and no jargon.