An upload tool is available to submit iXBRL company accounts generated through accounting software to Companies House.


The iXBRL accounts upload tool is designed to be used by accountants who are familiar with the requirements and rules around submitting company accounts. For this reason, the tool is restricted to users which meet the below criteria. 


You must have both:




Which types of accounts can be filed? 

  • Micro-entity
  • Small
  • Medium
  • Full
  • Abbreviated
  • Group
  • Audited and audit-exempt 


Which types of accounts cannot be filed?

  • CIC accounts (these cannot currently be software filed with Companies House).
  • Accounts which require package submissions, such as charity accounts or Welsh language accounts. 




1. To begin the process, please ensure that you have the iXBRL file from your accounting software prepared. On the Dashboard tab of the company, a 'Prepare & file accounts' button will appear.





2. The 'Prepare & file accounts' button will show whether the company is eligible to file Dormant or Micro-entity accounts via these software processes. These flows are if you wish to enter the accounts information as part of an Inform Direct filing process and they are based on the company's previous accounting category. 


Below this is the option to 'Upload and file iXBRL tagged accounts'. 





3. The 'Upload and file iXBRL tagged accounts' button opens a page which describes the service provided by Inform Direct. It is important to acknowledge this, as it differs to other processes completed.


Although all actions are on a self-service basis, processes completed through an Inform Direct flow will contain a range of controls which help to reduce the risk of error or rejection. 


The iXBRL tagged document uploaded will have been generated via accounting software rather than Inform Direct. We therefore cannot validate or be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the document.


Please review and tick to confirm your understanding, you can then select 'Continue'. 



Note: Inform Direct does check some key information on the document, such as certain tags, dates and company name/number to help reduce the risk of rejection.


4. The following step asks for confirmation of the balance sheet date. This will be populated by Inform Direct based on the accounting reference date held, but can be adjusted. 


The adjustment of the date is to allow for the filing of revised accounts or to amend the balance sheet date to be 7 days either side of the accounting reference date. You will not be able to use a future date.




5. The iXBRL tagged document can then be added. You can either drag and drop the document or click the 'Browse' button to select the file. 


6. In the event that the software identifies an issue with the document uploaded, warnings will appear. You will not be able to continue until the issues raised are resolved. The reason for this is that they would lead to a Companies House rejection. 




7. An approval step will then appear, allowing you to download a PDF summary document for the client to sign before making the submission to Companies House.


Note: The approval document will not contain a full breakdown of the accounts, it will be a summary to confirm the company and period being covered. 



  


8. Once approved, or if proceeded without using the approval step, you will see a 'Submit to Companies House' button. Minutes/resolutions can be generated (either at the approval stage or when submitting) to document the directors authorisation of the accounts. 


There is a tick-box on this screen to confirm that you are responsible for the accuracy of the uploaded iXBRL accounts file and provide authorisation for it to be submitted via Inform Direct.





Note: You will need to file your Company Tax Return separately with HMRC.