Companies Act 1985

[F1 224 Accounting reference periods and accounting reference date. E+W+S

(1) A company’s accounting reference periods are determined according to its accounting reference date.

(2) A company [F2 incorporated before 1st April 1996] may, at any time before the end of the period of nine months beginning with the date of its incorporation, by notice in the prescribed form given to the registrar specify its accounting reference date, that is, the date on which its accounting reference period ends in each calendar year.

(3) Failing such notice, [F3 the accounting reference date of such a company] is—

(a) in the case of a company incorporated before [F4 1st April 1990], 31st March;

(b) in the case of a company incorporated after [F5 1st April 1990], the last day of the month in which the anniversary of its incorporation falls.

[F6 (3A) The accounting reference date of a company incorporated on or after 1st April 1996 is the last day of the month in which the anniversary of its incorporation falls.]

(4) A company’s first accounting reference period is the period of more than six months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the date of its incorporation and ending with its accounting reference date.

(5) Its subsequent accounting reference periods are successiveperiods of twelve months beginning immediately after the end of the previous accounting reference period and ending with its accounting reference date.

(6) This section has effect subject to the provisions of section 225 relating to the alteration of accounting reference dates and the consequences of such alteration.]

Textual Amendments

F1 New ss. 223–225 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 3, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F2 Words in s. 224(2) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 2(2)

F3 Words in s. 224(3) substituted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 2(3)

F4 Words substituted by S.I. 1990/355, art. 15(a)

F5 Words substituted by S.I. 1990/355, art. 15(b)

F6 S. 224(3A) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 2(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 224(4) modified by Trustee Savings Bank Act 1985 (c. 58, SIF 110), s. 3, Sch. 1 para. 6(3)

S. 224(4) modified (27. 12. 1991) by S.I. 1991/2908, art. 2, Sch. para. 4(2)