Inform Direct takes advantage of provisions set out in section 444 of the Companies Act 2006. These provisions allow micro-entities to file much reduced information on the public register. Inform Direct automatically files the following required details with Companies House:

• Cover page – displaying the company name and registered number and the financial period covered by the accounts. 
• Simple balance sheet – this must include the name and signature of the director authorising the accounts together with a statement that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with micro-entity provisions. 
• Footnotes to the balance sheet – there are certain required details (known as the ‘minimum accounting items’) that must be included as footnotes to the balance sheet if they apply. These items are:  

Average number of employees – all companies must disclose this number. 

Details of any advances, credits and guarantees with directors. 

Details of any financial commitments, guarantees and contingencies. 

Details of any off-balance sheet arrangements. 

• Company details – a note on the balance sheet must disclose the part of the United Kingdom in which the company is registered; whether it is a public or private company and whether limited by shares or by guarantee; the registered office address and where relevant the fact that the company is in the process of being wound up.  

For most micro-entities therefore, the required pages that must be filed with Companies House will consist of just two or three pages (being the cover page and the balance sheet and footnotes). 

There is no requirement for micro-entities to file either an income statement or directors’ report with Companies House.  

The majority of micro-entities qualify for audit exemption, and for these companies there is no requirement to file an auditors’ report with Companies House. Inform Direct is only suitable for micro-entities that are claiming exemption from audit. 

Whilst Inform Direct only files the required details with Companies House, ensuring minimum disclosure on the public record, you can always select to produce additional pages for the accounts that you prepare for shareholders/members and other stakeholders in the company.  

These additional pages include:  

• Contents page 
• Company information page – detailing directors names, company number, registered office address, name and address of auditors and bank (if required). 
• Directors’ report
• Accountants’ report 
• Income statement