Comparing like with like
Dormant accounts are the easiest filing to compare. There is no Companies House fee, so each price is the provider's whole charge.
QCF lists £49.99 plus VAT, which is £59.99 with VAT. SimpleFilings charges £4.99.
For the confirmation statement, QCF's prices include the £50 Companies House fee. Their standard price of £75.99 leaves £25.99 for their service, before VAT. At SimpleFilings the £4.99 service fee covers our work, and the £50 is included in the total, so the total is £54.99.
Eligibility: dormant since incorporation, or dormant this year
QCF's dormant accounts page says the company must have been dormant for accounting purposes since incorporation. It must be a private limited company, by shares or by guarantee. LLPs cannot use the service.
The SimpleFilings dormant accounts service is for a financial year with no significant accounting transactions. You review the accounts, confirm the full period was dormant and approve the filing before we submit it.
That matters if your company traded in the past and has since stopped. Check the rules for your own company before you order from either provider.
Worked example: one year for a dormant company
A dormant company usually needs one set of dormant accounts and one confirmation statement each year.
Using QCF's dormant accounts and standard confirmation statement: £49.99 plus £75.99 is £125.98 before VAT. This includes the £50 Companies House fee.
Using SimpleFilings: £4.99 for the dormant accounts, plus £4.99 and £50 for the confirmation statement. That is £59.98 in total, including the £50 Companies House fee.
If HMRC also needs to be told the company is dormant for Corporation Tax, SimpleFilings can prepare that notification for £4.99. There is no government fee.
What each option includes
QCF's dormant accounts service covers completing and filing form AA02 and confirming when Companies House has accepted the accounts. It can be renewed each year at the same price. Their confirmation statement service covers completing and filing the CS01, including changes to SIC codes, shareholder information and the statement of capital.
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 or renewal.
What you need before you order
- Company number and Companies House authentication code (QCF asks for this if they did not form your company)
- The financial year end for the accounts
- Whether the shares are paid or unpaid (QCF asks for this)
- For a confirmation statement, each director's Companies House personal code
- For HMRC, the company's Corporation Tax UTR
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 renewal.
QCF may suit you if your company has been dormant since incorporation and you want a fast, renewable service.
When another option may suit you better
- You need dormant accounts filed quickly. QCF says the process takes 24 hours (1 working day), providing it receives the required information without undue delay. SimpleFilings does not sell a paid express tier.
- You need an express confirmation statement. QCF lists one at £85.99 plus VAT, filed within 1 working day.
- You are forming a company and want a formation package from the same provider that handles your annual filings. SimpleFilings does not offer company incorporation.
- You want one provider for the year ahead. QCF says its dormant accounts service is renewable each year at £49.99 plus VAT.