Companies Act - Company Secretary now an optional appointment

The Companies Act 2006 is the longest piece of legislation ever created - with quite a complex implementation timetable.

If you are involved in the management of a limited company, there are two Companies Act changes which take effect from 6th April 2008 which you will want to note:

1. Filing Accounts

For all private companies the filing deadline for delivery of accounts to Companies House has been reduced from 10 to 9 months. The change will apply to accounting periods beginning on or after 6th April 2008. For public companies the deadline is reduced from 7 to 6 months.

Qualifying companies will still be able to file Abbreviated Accounts.

2. Company Secretary

For private companies only, the appointment of a company secretary becomes optional from 6th April 2008.

the choice to continue with an existing appointed secretary is optional,
if you decide to dispense with an existing company secretary after 6th April, you will need to advise Companies House using form 288b,
you will not need to amend your Articles of Association unless there is a specific reference to a company having a secretary,

From the 6th April it will be possible to have a sole director and no company secretary.

You can read more about the Act in our article Companies Act 2006 and Private Companies.

Posted April 7, 2008

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