How Long Does It Take to File Limited Company Accounts?
Every year, we hear the same question from business owners: “Can’t you just press a button and file it?”
If only it were that simple.
Year-end accounts are far more than just a formality. They’re one of the most detailed pieces of financial work your accountant completes, and they take time, care, and expertise to get right.
Let’s break down how long it really takes to file your limited company accounts and what affects the timeline.
Why Filing Accounts Takes Time
Filing your company accounts isn’t just about submitting numbers to Companies House or HMRC. It’s about ensuring those numbers are accurate, compliant, and tax-efficient.
Behind every submission are hours of:
Reviewing transactions across all your accounts
Reconciling bank statements and ledgers
Checking invoices, receipts, and payroll records
Adjusting for depreciation, accruals, and prepayments
Verifying tax reliefs, allowances, and director payments
Your accountant doesn’t just enter figures. They analyse, interpret, and make sure your tax bill is as low as it can be within the law. That process takes time because mistakes can be costly.
What Affects How Long It Takes
Not every business takes the same amount of time to prepare and file their accounts. Some can be completed in a few weeks, while others take much longer.
Here are the main factors that affect the timeline:
Number of Transactions
The more sales, purchases, and bank movements you have, the longer it takes to review and reconcile them accurately.Quality of Bookkeeping
Good bookkeeping makes everything easier. If your records are tidy, up to date, and supported by receipts, your accountant can move quickly. If things are missing or unclear, it takes longer to sort out.Number of Accounts
Multiple bank accounts, credit cards, or payment platforms (like PayPal, Stripe, or Shopify) add more data to process.Adjustments and Queries
If there are missing invoices, director loans, or unusual transactions, your accountant will need to investigate and clarify them before filing.Time of Year
January and March are busy months for most accountants. Starting early helps avoid delays caused by the seasonal rush.
How Long It Usually Takes
For a typical small limited company with good bookkeeping, accounts preparation might take around two to four weeks from the point your accountant receives all the necessary information.
If your records are incomplete, disorganised, or need more adjustments, expect that to stretch to six weeks or more.
Remember, your accountant isn’t just pressing buttons. They’re making sure your financial statements reflect your business accurately and that you’re not paying a penny more tax than necessary.
Why Starting Early Makes All the Difference
The earlier you start preparing your accounts, the smoother the process will be. Leaving it to the last minute increases stress, errors, and the risk of fines for missing deadlines.
Here’s how you can help things go faster:
Keep your bookkeeping up to date throughout the year
Reconcile your bank accounts monthly
Store invoices and receipts digitally
Respond quickly to your accountant’s queries
Don’t wait until your deadline is looming to get started
By staying organised, you’ll not only make your accountant’s job easier, but you’ll also get your tax position earlier and avoid nasty surprises.
Why You Shouldn’t File Them Yourself
Filing your own company accounts might sound tempting, but it’s risky. Small mistakes in your figures, tax adjustments, or deadlines can lead to penalties or HMRC enquiries.
An experienced accountant knows how to:
Apply the right tax rules for your business type
Maximise reliefs and allowances
Avoid errors that can trigger audits
Save you time and stress
It’s one of those jobs that’s best left to a professional, so you can focus on running your business instead.
The Bottom Line
Year-end accounts aren’t a five-minute task. There’s real work, analysis, and expertise that go into making sure everything is correct, compliant, and tax-efficient.
The more organised your records are, the faster the process will be. The earlier you start, the easier it is. And the best results always come from working with an experienced accountant who knows your business inside out.
If your year-end is approaching and you’d like to make the process stress-free, Rhombus Accounting can help. We’ll get your accounts filed accurately, efficiently, and with the minimum fuss.
Meet Lewis
Lewis is a professional accountant and founder of Rhombus Accounting. He regularly shares his knowledge and best advice here on his blog and on other channels such as LinkedIn.
Book a call today to learn more about what Lewis and Rhombus Accounting can do for you.
