PM&M Chartered Accountants in the North West were early adopters of the Companies House filing system, when they began using it back in 1998, shortly after it was first introduced. Anne Ramsden tells us why they chose to go electronic, and explains the benefits that she and her colleagues continue to enjoy.
With offices in Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe & Nelson, the firm provides a broad range of accountancy services and independent financial advice to more than 500 client companies.
"We file almost everything on behalf of our clients, from annual returns and accounts, through to mortgage charges and changes to the registered office address", explains Anne, Company Secretarial Administrator in Blackburn.
From novices to masters
"I guess we were guinea pigs to start with, but my boss was keen for us to try software filing, as were Digita, the providers of our secretarial software, so we gave it a go." Software filing allows you to electronically file information direct to Companies House using a secretarial software package, available from a growing number of software companies.
More than eight years since they started, PM&M now sign up new clients automatically to electronic filing. "More than 50% of our client base are now online, and we aim to sign up the rest by the end of the year", adds Anne.
Saving time and money
Anne is confident that the system has saved them and their clients time and money. "The main advantage is speed. But it also reduces the risk of making mistakes, because unless you get the forms absolutely right Companies House will reject them."
"It's also allowed us to reduce our fees to our clients because processing doesn't take as long anymore."
For Anne and her colleagues, the electronic face of Companies House is now very much part of their daily routine. "We use software filing and Companies House Direct daily. I think that all of the online services are really good."
For details of software providers, please visit www.companieshouse.gov.uk/softwarefiling
