Comparing like with like
The confirmation statement is where the headline prices look most different, so it helps to separate the parts.
1st Formations' standard price of £75.99 includes the £50 Companies House fee. That leaves £25.99 for their service, before VAT. Their express price of £85.99 leaves £35.99 for their service, before VAT.
At SimpleFilings the £4.99 service fee covers our work. The £50 Companies House fee is included in the total, so the total is £54.99.
Dormant accounts and director changes carry no Companies House fee, so those figures compare directly.
Worked example: one year for a dormant company
A dormant company usually needs one confirmation statement and one set of dormant accounts each year.
Using 1st Formations' standard services: £75.99 plus £49.99 is £125.98 before VAT. This includes the £50 Companies House fee. VAT at 20% is added to the dormant accounts price. Their pages do not say how VAT applies to the £50 fee inside the confirmation statement price.
Using SimpleFilings: £4.99 plus £50 for the confirmation statement, and £4.99 for the dormant accounts. That is £59.98 in total, including the £50 Companies House fee.
If you add a director change in the same year, add £49.99 plus VAT per appointment or resignation at 1st Formations, or £4.99 per form at SimpleFilings.
What each option includes
1st Formations' confirmation statement page lists completion and filing of the CS01, plus reporting changes to SIC codes, shareholder information and the statement of capital. Their dormant accounts service covers completing and filing form AA02 and confirming that Companies House has accepted the accounts.
SimpleFilings prepares the filing from your instructions, checks it and submits it once you approve it. You pay £4.99 per filing. There is no subscription and no annual package.
1st Formations' director service includes an appointment or resignation letter and a board resolution, as well as the Companies House filing. SimpleFilings files the form only.
Before you file a confirmation statement
Companies House now requires directors to verify their identity. For a SimpleFilings confirmation statement, every current director must have completed identity verification and supplied their personal code. This is a different code from the company authentication code.
If a director has not verified yet, do that first. Verifying through GOV.UK One Login is free. Whichever service you use, the statement cannot be completed until the director requirements are met.
- Company number and authentication code
- Each director's Companies House personal code
- Any changes to SIC codes, shareholders or share capital
- Your review period end date, from the Companies House register
Who each option suits
SimpleFilings suits company owners who know which filing they need and want to pay a small fee for each one, with no subscription.
1st Formations may suit you if you are forming a new company, want a stated express filing time of 1 working day, or want one provider to handle formation and ongoing compliance together.
When another option may suit you better
- You are forming a company. 1st Formations sells formation packages, listed from £102.99. That price includes the £100 Companies House fee, which their pricing page says is not subject to VAT. SimpleFilings does not offer company incorporation.
- You need a filing done fast. 1st Formations offers an express service for confirmation statements and dormant accounts, filed within 1 working day of receiving the information. SimpleFilings has one price with no express tier. For dormant accounts we aim to submit the same day once the information, director approval and payment are complete, but Companies House acceptance may take longer.
- You want an ongoing compliance package. 1st Formations lists a Hassle-Free Compliance Service at £149.99 plus VAT.
- You prefer one provider for both company formation and ongoing compliance filings.
- You want the board paperwork prepared with a director change. 1st Formations' director service includes an appointment or resignation letter and a board resolution. SimpleFilings files the Companies House form only.