Companies Act 1985

Part VIIU.K. Accounts and Audit

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. VII (ss. 221–262) applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C2Part VII (ss. 221-262) continued by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(a)

C3Part VII (ss. 221-262) amended by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(5)

C4Part VII (ss. 221-262) extended by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 1(3)(5)

C5Part VII (ss. 221-262) modified by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 paras. 1(4)(5), 3(2)(3)

C6Part VII (ss. 221-262) excluded by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(3)

C7Part VII (ss. 221-262) restricted by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(b)

Pt. VII (ss. 221-262) applied (with modifications) (21.7.1993) by S.I. 1993/1820, reg. 4, Sch. paras.1, 2 (as amended (1.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/1987, reg. 3)

Pt. VII (ss. 221-262) applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 3, Sch. 1 (as amended (4.3.2004) by S.I. 2004/355, art. 8, (1.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/1989, reg. 2, Sch. 1 and (12.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3442, reg. 2(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 3(1))

Chapter IU.K. Provisions Applying to Companies Generally

Accounting recordsU.K.

221 Duty to keep accounting records.E+W+S

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

222 Where and for how long records to be kept.U.K.

F2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

A company’s financial year and accounting reference periodsE+W+S

223 A company’s financial year.E+W+S

F3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

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

F4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

225 Alteration of accounting reference date.E+W+S

F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Annual accountsU.K.

226 Duty to prepare individual accounts.E+W+S

F6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

226ACompanies Act individual accountsU.K.

F7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

226BIAS individual accountsU.K.

F8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

227 Duty to prepare group accounts.U.K.

F9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

227ACompanies Act group accountsU.K.

F10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

227BIAS group accountsU.K.

F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

227CConsistency of accountsU.K.

F12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

228 Exemption for parent companies included in accounts of larger group.U.K.

F13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

228AExemption for parent companies included in non-EEA group accountsU.K.

F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

229 Subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation.E+W+S

F15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

230 Treatment of individual profit and loss account where group accounts prepared.E+W+S

F16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

231 Disclosure required in notes to accounts:related undertakings.E+W+S

F17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

231ADisclosure required in notes to annual accounts: particulars of staffU.K.

F18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

232 Disclosure required in notes to accounts: emoluments and other benefits of directors and others.E+W+S

F19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Approval and signing of accountsE+W+S

233 Approval and signing of accountsE+W+S

F20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F21Directors' report]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F21Cross-heading and ss. 234, 234ZZA, 234ZZB substituted for s. 234 and preceding cross-heading (22.3.2005) by The Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review and Directors' Report etc.) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1011), reg. 2

234 Duty to prepare directors' report.E+W+S

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234ZZADirectors' report: general requirementsU.K.

F23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234ZZBDirectors' report: business reviewU.K.

F24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234ZAStatement as to disclosure of information to auditorsU.K.

F25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234A Approval and signing of directors’ report.E+W+S

F26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Textual Amendments

234AADuty to prepare operating and financial reviewE+W+S

F28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234ABApproval and signing of operating and financial reviewE+W+S

F29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Quoted companies: directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

234BDuty to prepare directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

F30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234CApproval and signing of directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

F31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Auditors’ reportE+W+S

235 Auditors’ report.E+W+S

F32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

236 Signature of auditors’ report.E+W+S

F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

237 Duties of auditors.E+W+S

F34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Publication of accounts and reportsE+W+S

238 Persons entitled to receive copies of accounts and reports.E+W+S

F35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F36238ATime allowed for sending out copies of accounts and reportsE+W+S

F37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

239 Rights to demand copies of accounts and reports.E+W+S

F38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

240 Requirements in connection with publication of accounts.E+W+S

F39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Laying and delivering of accounts and reportsU.K.

241 Accounts and reports to be laid before company in general meeting.E+W+S

F40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F40S. 241 repealed (1.10.2007 with application to private companies) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

241AMembers’ approval of directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

F41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

242 Accounts and reports to be delivered to the registrar.E+W+S

F42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

242A Civil penalty for failure to deliver accounts.E+W+S

F43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F43S. 242A repealed (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/3495, art. 8(a), Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with arts. 7, 12, Sch. 4 paras. 9(2), 12(2)); table in s. 242A(2) expressed to be substituted and s. 242A(2A) expressed to be inserted (6.4.2008 with application in accordance with reg. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Companies (Late Filing Penalties) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalties) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/497), reg. 5 and {reg. 3} respectively

242B Delivery and publication of accounts in ECUsE+W+S

F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

243 Accounts of subsidiary undertakings to be appended in certain cases.U.K.

F45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

244 Period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports.E+W+S

F46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Revision of defective accounts and reportsE+W+S

245 Voluntary revision of annual accounts or directors’ report.E+W+S

F47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245A Secretary of State’s notice in respect of annual accounts.E+W+S

F48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245B Application to court in respect of defective accounts.E+W+S

F49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245C Other persons authorised to apply to court.E+W+S

F50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245DDisclosure of information held by Inland Revenue to persons authorised to apply to courtE+W+S

F51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245ERestrictions on use and further disclosure of information disclosed under section 245DE+W+S

F52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245FPower of authorised persons to require documents, information and explanationsE+W+S

F53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

245GRestrictions on further disclosure of information obtained under section 245FE+W+S

F54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Chapter IIU.K.Exemptions, Exceptions and Special Provisions

Small and medium-sized companies and groupsE+W+S

246 Special provisions for small companiesE+W+S

F55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

246A Special provisions for medium-sized companiesE+W+S

F56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

247 Qualification of company as small or medium-sized.E+W+S

F57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

247A Cases in which special provisions do not applyE+W+S

F58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

247B Special auditors’ reportE+W+S

F59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

248 Exemption for small and medium-sized groups.E+W+S

F60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

248A Group accounts prepared by small companyE+W+S

F61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

249 Qualification of group as small or medium-sized.E+W+S

F62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F63 Exemptions from audit for certain categories of small company]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F63Ss. 249A-249E and preceding cross-heading inserted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 2

249A Exemptions from auditE+W+S

F64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

249AA Dormant companiesE+W+S

F65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

249B Cases where exemptions not availableE+W+S

F66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

249C The report required for the purposes of section 249A(2).E+W+S

F67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

249D The reporting accountantU.K.

F68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

249E Effect of exemptionsE+W+S

F69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Dormant companiesE+W+S

250. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Listed public companiesE+W+S

251[F71Summary financial statement]E+W+S

F72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F71S. 251: heading substituted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 11(1)

Private companiesE+W+S

252 Election to dispense with laying of accounts and reports before general meeting.E+W+S

F73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

253 Right of shareholder to require laying of accounts.E+W+S

F74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Unlimited companiesE+W+S

254 Exemption from requirement to deliver accounts and reports.E+W+S

F75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Banking and insurance companies and groupsE+W+S

255 Special provisions for banking and insurance companies.E+W+S

F76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

255A Special provisions for banking and insurance groups.E+W+S

F77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

255B Modification of disclosure requirements in relation to banking company or group.E+W+S

F78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

255C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

255D Power to apply provisions to banking partnerships.E+W+S

F80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Welsh private companiesE+W+S

255E Delivery of accounting documents in Welsh only.E+W+S

F81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Chapter IIIU.K. Supplementary Provisions

Accounting standardsU.K.

256 Accounting standards.E+W+S

F82. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

256AReporting standardsU.K.

F83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Power to alter accounting requirementsE+W+S

257 Power of Secretary of State to alter accounting requirements.E+W+S

F84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Parent and subsidiary undertakingsE+W+S

258 Parent and subsidiary undertakings.E+W+S

F85. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Other interpretation provisionsE+W+S

259 Meaning of “undertaking” and related expressions.E+W+S

F86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

260 Participating interests.E+W+S

F87. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

261 Notes to the accounts.E+W+S

F88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

262 Minor definitions.E+W+S

F89. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

262AIndex of defined expressions.E+W+S

F90. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments