What is the period that the accounts should cover?
A company’s first accounts’ record must begin from the day of incorporation. The first financial year must end on the ‘accounting reference date’ (ARD). Subsequent accounts start on the day following the year-end date of the previous accounts and end on the next ‘accounting reference date’.[ Hide ]How is accounting reference date (ARD) set? The accounting reference date is the date each year to which accounts will be drawn up. The date depends on the date of incorporation as it is the last day of the month in which the first anniversary of incorporation falls. For example, if your company is incorporated on 2nd July this year, the accounting reference date will be 31st July, and its first financial year must end on 31st July, next year. [ Hide ] Can the accounting reference date (ARD) be changed? Yes. You may change it by sending in the Form 225 to the Companies House registrar. You must do this during the accounting period affected by the change, or during the period allowed for deliv
