I have had a couple of clients ask me to complete their annual returns for them. I would prefer to do this online, and wondered whether there is any alternative to using a clients own authentication and security codes to draft the annual return for them. Is there any way I can set up as an agent for them, in a similar way to HMRC? Or would it be better to simply fill out a paper version for them which they could then approve and return to me for onward postal submission?
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No Agent with Companies House
I have only used Companies House online facility and not paper filing. I have found this straight forward,
Filing of annual return is easy online. Companies House do not have an agent facility.
All that is needed is the company reg number and company's authorisation code. You will also need your own login for Companies House website.
Yes
Anyone can register for Companies House WebFiling. You will receive a security code linked to your e-mail address. I think that you have to enter a company number as well, in which case you can give your own if you trade through a company or your client's, but it is just part of the process of obtaining a security code.
Once you are registered with a security code, you can access WebFiling for any company if they have told you their authentication code. You can apply online for Companies House to issue (a reminder of) the authentication code, which will be posted to the registered office of the company. If the company then divulges their authentication code to you, it is effectively their authorisation for you to act as their agent.
Do not do Annual Returns on paper - the fee is £30, compared with £15 for online returns.
WebFiling also allows you to submit most of the other Companies House forms, such as changes of directors, registered office, accounting date, etc., online.
Use one number for all
We get clients to sign a letter asking CH to set up a standard authorisation code number (which is the same for all clients) and which states we are authorised to file on their behalf.
Only one number to enter for each client in our software.
One code for all clients
The clients can easily recover the code, and if they know any of your other clients... guess what: you are in big trouble.
If you want to ensure
that the client agrees to the info which is being filed you can download from the webfiling website for 10 days after submission .
Next year simply send a copy of that for client approval after noting any required changes.
Different company authentication codes please!
I don't like the idea of having the same auth code for each client.
We have to look the company number up every time we want to file, and we store the auth code in the same DB, so it's just as quick to log into each company online.
Via software?
Hi - there are obviously other more important reasons for buying integrated client management software but a real bonus is the ability to do pretty much everything with companies house directly through the software, ie as it does for tax return submission.
So whenever we add or remove a director, change their address, year end, registered office etc etc it creates the e-form which is a button away from submission. Similarly, at annual return time, the database compares itself online with Companies House to highlight any differences and, again, once all the details are OKd the annual return is a button push away.
I'm sure the other providers do the same but Iris's "Company Secretarial" bit does what it says on the can.
I got an account with Companies House
After a bit of tooing and froing, I managed to set up an account with Companies House so I can charge all of the £15s to my account and settle it once a month, rather than having lots of amounts on the credit card. It works well now but it took a while to get sorted.