Companies House CS01 Fees & Member Register Changes: What UK Accountants Need to Know

Navigating the Latest Companies House Reforms for UK Practices

The landscape of UK company compliance is continually evolving, and staying abreast of changes is paramount for accounting and bookkeeping practices. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) has ushered in a new era of corporate transparency and accountability, with significant implications for how companies are administered. Among the most impactful changes are the adjustments to Companies House CS01 fees and a fundamental shift in how companies manage their register of members.

These reforms, coming into effect in late 2025 and early 2026, demand a proactive approach from practice managers and compliance officers. Understanding the specific dates, new costs, and altered record-keeping requirements is crucial not only for your firm's operational efficiency but also for effectively advising your clients. This post will detail these critical updates, providing practical guidance to help your practice navigate the new Companies House regime.

Understanding the New Companies House CS01 Fees 2026

From 1 February 2026, Companies House will implement a new fee structure for several key filings, most notably the Confirmation Statement (CS01). These increases are part of a broader strategy to fund Companies House's enhanced powers under the ECCTA 2023, enabling it to combat economic crime and improve the accuracy and integrity of the public register.

The digital filing fee for a Confirmation Statement (CS01) will rise from £34 to £50. This represents a significant increase that all companies will need to factor into their annual compliance budget. The fee is charged based on when the submission is made, not the 'made-up to' date, meaning any CS01 filed on or after 1 February 2026 will incur the new, higher charge.

Digital vs. Paper: The Growing Cost Disparity

Companies House continues its strong push towards digital-first filing, and the new fee structure clearly reflects this preference. While the digital CS01 fee increases, the cost for paper submissions will see an even sharper rise, jumping from £62 to £110.

• Digital CS01 Fee: £50 (from £34)
• Paper CS01 Fee: £110 (from £62)

This substantial difference serves as a clear incentive for businesses to adopt digital filing methods. For practices managing multiple clients, the cumulative impact of these increased digital filing costs UK-wide can be significant, reinforcing the need for efficient digital processes.

It's also worth noting other fee changes: the digital incorporation fee will double from £50 to £100, while the digital voluntary strike-off fee will decrease from £33 to £13, encouraging the removal of dormant companies from the register.

Significant Changes to the Register of Members: ECCTA's Impact

Beyond the fee adjustments, one of the most fundamental changes introduced by the ECCTA 2023 affects the maintenance of statutory registers, particularly the register of members. From 18 November 2025, the option for private companies to keep their register of members centrally at Companies House will be abolished.

Historically, private companies had the choice to either maintain their own register of members or elect for Companies House to hold this information centrally. With the removal of this option, Companies House member register changes mean that all companies will now be mandated to maintain their own 'local' register. This register must be kept either at the company's registered office address or at a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) if one has been designated.

For any company that previously opted for the central register, this change necessitates immediate action. They will need to create and maintain their own physical or digital register, ensuring it includes all required member information and a statement noting the prior use of the central register. This shift places a greater burden of responsibility directly on companies and, by extension, on their accountants and bookkeepers to ensure meticulous record-keeping.

The Abolition of Other Statutory Registers

It's important to contextualise the member register changes within the broader ECCTA reforms. From the same date, 18 November 2025, the requirement for companies to maintain their own Register of Directors, Register of Directors' Residential Addresses, Register of Secretaries, and Register of Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) will also be removed.

For these registers, Companies House will become the single, verified source of truth. Companies will simply file updates to this information directly with Companies House within 14 days of any change. This centralisation aims to improve data accuracy and transparency, but it highlights a crucial distinction: while officer and PSC information centralises, member information decentralises, returning the onus to the company itself.

Practical Implications for Accountants and Bookkeepers

These Companies House reforms will have a tangible, immediate impact on administrative tasks and client advice for UK accounting and bookkeeping practices. The increased Companies House CS01 fees will directly affect clients' compliance costs, requiring clear communication and potentially adjustments to service charges.

The shift in member register requirements creates a new administrative burden. Practices that previously relied on the central register option for clients will now need to establish robust systems for maintaining local registers. This includes ensuring all necessary details are accurately recorded and readily accessible for inspection.

Furthermore, the broader ECCTA changes, such as mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs (also effective from 18 November 2025), mean practices must enhance their due diligence processes and client onboarding procedures. Failing to comply with these new obligations can lead to significant penalties, including financial fines, prosecution, and even director disqualification, or the company being struck off.

Advising Clients on Robust Record-Keeping and Compliance

As trusted advisors, accountants and bookkeepers are on the frontline of helping clients understand and adapt to these changes. Your role will extend beyond simply filing documents to educating clients on their enhanced client record-keeping obligations.

Key advice points for clients should include:

• Maintaining an Accurate Register of Members: Emphasise the legal requirement to keep a precise and up-to-date register, including details such as names, addresses, shareholdings, and dates of becoming/ceasing to be a member. This register is prima facie evidence of ownership.
• Location of Registers: Advise clients that the register must be kept at their registered office or SAIL address and be available for inspection. If they used the central register, they must now create their own.
• Impact of Increased Fees: Clearly communicate the new CS01 fees and other digital filing costs, explaining the rationale behind them (e.g., funding Companies House's fight against economic crime). This helps manage expectations and justifies any adjustments to your service fees.
• Digitalisation Push: Highlight the cost benefits and efficiency gains of digital filing over paper submissions, encouraging clients to embrace digital solutions where possible. The future of filing, including mandatory software filing for accounts from April 2027, reinforces this trend.
• Identity Verification: Remind directors and PSCs of the mandatory ID verification requirements and the deadlines for compliance to avoid penalties.

Consider offering workshops or detailed guides to ensure clients fully grasp the implications of ECCTA member information requirements and other reforms. This proactive approach not only ensures client compliance but also solidifies your position as a valuable strategic partner.

Leveraging Digital Tools for Streamlined UK Company Compliance

The complexities introduced by these reforms underscore the importance of robust digital tools. For practices managing hundreds or thousands of companies, manually tracking statutory registers, filing deadlines, and fee changes becomes unsustainable. Digital compliance platforms, like ComplyPost, are designed to alleviate this burden.

Such platforms can help practices:

• Automate Register Management: Maintain accurate digital statutory registers for all clients, ensuring they are always up-to-date and compliant with the new local register requirements. This is crucial for managing the Companies House member register changes effectively.
• Track Deadlines: Centralise the tracking of CS01 due dates, annual accounts, and other critical UK company compliance updates, sending automated reminders to both your team and clients.
• Facilitate Digital Filings: Seamlessly prepare and submit Confirmation Statements and other forms to Companies House, taking advantage of the lower digital fees and reducing the risk of errors associated with manual entry.
• Improve Client Communication: Provide a secure portal for clients to access their company information, approve filings, and receive compliance notifications, streamlining the communication process.

By integrating digital solutions, practices can improve efficiency, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and free up valuable time to focus on higher-value advisory services, such as AML compliance or strategic tax planning.

Key Deadlines and Actionable Steps for Your Practice

To ensure a smooth transition and maintain client compliance, here are the critical dates and actionable steps your practice should undertake:

• 18 November 2025: This is the effective date for the removal of the option to keep the register of members centrally at Companies House. It also marks the start of mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs.
  • Action: Identify all clients currently using the central register option for members. Inform them immediately of the change and assist them in establishing and maintaining their own local register of members. Review client onboarding for ID verification processes.
• 1 February 2026: New, increased fees for various Companies House filings, including the Confirmation Statement (CS01), come into effect.
  • Action: Update your internal fee schedules and client billing systems. Communicate the new Companies House CS01 fees to all clients well in advance. Consider advising clients with CS01s due shortly after this date to file early if appropriate, to benefit from the lower current fee.
• Ongoing: The ECCTA gives Companies House enhanced powers to query and reject filings, and to remove false information.
  • Action: Emphasise the importance of accurate and timely submissions to all clients. Review your internal processes for preparing and submitting filings to minimise errors and rejections. Ensure awareness of new registered office obligations under ECCTA.
• April 2027: Mandatory software-only filing of accounts for accounting periods ending on or after 31 July 2026.
  • Action: Begin transitioning any clients still filing paper accounts to digital accounting and filing software. This long-term change underpins the broader digital transformation at Companies House.

By taking these steps, your practice can not only ensure compliance but also strengthen client relationships by demonstrating proactive expertise in the face of significant regulatory shifts. Staying on top of HMRC deadlines and Companies House changes is key to your firm's success.