How to check a UK company’s accounts
A company’s filed accounts are the closest thing you get to a free financial health check. Here’s what they show, how to read them even if you’re not an accountant, and the signs of a business in trouble.
What’s public — and what it depends on
Almost every UK company must file annual accounts at Companies House, and they’re free to view. How much you see depends on the company’s size:
- Micro-entity & small companies file abbreviated accounts — you see net assets and cash, but usually not turnover or profit.
- Medium & large companies file fuller accounts — including turnover and profit.
- Dormant companies (not trading) file very simple accounts.
How to judge financial health quickly
- Net assets positive or negative? Negative net assets (it owes more than it owns) is a warning sign.
- Cash — does it hold a reasonable cash balance, or almost none?
- The trend — are net assets and cash growing or shrinking year on year? The multi-year history matters more than any single year.
- On time? Are the accounts filed by their deadline, or overdue?
- Charges — heavy secured debt (mortgages/charges) registered against the company is worth understanding.
The fastest way
Instead of downloading PDFs, ask Verivello “Is [company] financially healthy?” or “Show me [company]’s accounts.” It reads the filed figures, shows the multi-year trend and flags overdue filings — in plain English, with sources. Start free on the search.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a UK company’s accounts for free?
Yes. Almost every UK company must file annual accounts at Companies House, and they are public and free to view and download. Verivello also lets you read the key figures and multi-year trend in plain English without digging through PDFs.
What do a company’s accounts tell me?
Depending on the company’s size you can see net assets (what it owns minus what it owes), cash at bank, and — for larger companies — turnover and profit. Alongside the numbers, the filing history shows whether accounts are filed on time. Together these indicate whether a company is solvent, growing or in trouble.
Why are some companies’ accounts so short?
Small and "micro-entity" companies are allowed to file abbreviated accounts, which legally leave out detail like turnover and profit. So a very short set of accounts isn’t a red flag in itself — it just means the company qualifies for lighter reporting. You can still see net assets and cash.
What does "accounts overdue" mean?
It means the company has missed its legal deadline to file its annual accounts. Occasional lateness happens, but persistently overdue accounts suggest a business that isn’t being run properly, is in difficulty, or is winding down — and it can lead to penalties or being struck off.
How often does a company file accounts?
Once a year. A company’s accounts cover a 12-month period and must be filed by a set deadline after its financial year-end (typically nine months for a private company). The "next accounts due" date on the company’s record tells you when the next filing is expected.
What is a dormant company?
A dormant company is registered but not trading — it has had no significant transactions in the period. Dormant companies file very simple accounts. If a company you expect to be actively trading is filing as dormant, that’s worth understanding before you rely on it.