The Complete Guide to Using Companies House Data for Smarter Decisions

Companies House holds a wealth of data about every UK company, but many people don't know how to interpret it effectively. This comprehensive guide shows you how to read filings, understand SIC codes, and combine official data with external sources for a complete picture. Whether you're investing, partnering, or researching competitors, this knowledge will give you an edge.

Understanding Key Filings Types

Annual Accounts (AR01)

The most important financial document a company files.

• What it contains: Profit & loss, balance sheet, cash flow, director salaries
• Filing deadline: 9 months after year end
• How to interpret:
  • Turnover growth: Year-over-year revenue changes
  • Profit margins: Gross/net profit as percentage of revenue
  • Cash position: Cash in bank vs. debts
  • Director pay: Total remuneration and benefits

Red flag: Declining turnover or increasing losses over multiple years.

Confirmation Statement (CS01)

Previously called Annual Return - confirms company details are up to date.

• Required information: Registered office, directors, shareholders, SIC codes
• Filing frequency: Annually
• Key insights:
  • Address changes: May indicate relocation or financial pressure
  • Director updates: New appointments or resignations
  • Share structure: Changes in ownership

Pro tip: Compare current vs. previous statements to spot changes.

Director Appointments/Resignations

Critical for understanding leadership stability.

• Appointment forms: IN01 for new directors
• Resignation forms: TM01 for leaving directors
• What to check:
  • Background: LinkedIn profiles of new directors
  • Patterns: Multiple resignations may signal internal issues
  • Timing: Sudden changes often correlate with problems

Other Important Filings

• AGM resolutions: Decisions about dividends, share issues
• Charge registrations: Mortgages or security over company assets
• Insolvency filings: Winding up petitions or administration notices

Reading Financial Accounts Like a Pro

Balance Sheet Analysis

• Assets: What the company owns
  • Fixed assets (property, equipment)
  • Current assets (cash, debtors, stock)
• Liabilities: What the company owes
  • Long-term debt
  • Short-term creditors
• Net assets: Assets minus liabilities = shareholder equity

Key ratio: Current assets ÷ current liabilities = liquidity ratio (>1 is healthy)

Profit & Loss Interpretation

• Revenue streams: Breakdown by business segment
• Cost structure: Staff costs, premises, supplies
• Operating profit: Revenue minus direct costs
• Net profit: After all expenses and taxes

Trend analysis: Compare 3-5 years to spot growth or decline patterns.

SIC Codes and Business Classification

Standard Industrial Classification codes categorize business activities.

• How to use: Search company SIC codes to understand their industry
• Common codes:
  • 62012: Business/financial software development
  • 63110: Data processing/storage
  • 70229: Management consultancy
• Insights: SIC changes may indicate business model shifts

Combining Companies House with External Data

Hiring and Growth Signals

• Job postings: LinkedIn/Indeed activity vs. filed accounts
• Employee numbers: Compare stated vs. LinkedIn headcount
• Office expansion: New addresses may indicate growth

Sentiment and Reputation

• Review correlation: High Trustpilot scores with strong accounts = good sign
• News mentions: Cross-reference with Google Alerts
• Social proof: Website testimonials vs. filed customer numbers

Director Network Analysis

• Connections: LinkedIn shows director relationships
• Track record: Previous company successes/failures
• Industry expertise: Relevant experience for current business

Red and Green Flags in Filings

Green Flags (Positive Signals)

• Consistent profit growth
• On-time filings
• Stable director team
• Increasing net assets
• Regular dividend payments

Red Flags (Warning Signals)

• Late or missing filings
• Declining revenues
• Director resignations
• Increasing debt levels
• Address changes to cheaper locations
• SIC code changes (pivot attempts)

Practical Examples

Healthy Growing Company

• Accounts: 20% YoY revenue growth, positive cash flow
• Filings: All on time, stable directors
• External: Active hiring, positive reviews

Company in Trouble

• Accounts: Losses increasing, cash decreasing
• Filings: Late submissions, director changes
• External: No new jobs, negative sentiment

Advanced Techniques

Filing History Analysis

• Patterns: Look for seasonal filing delays
• Volume: High filing frequency may indicate active management
• Quality: Detailed accounts suggest professional management

Cross-Company Comparison

• Benchmarks: Compare ratios against industry averages
• Peers: Analyze similar companies in same sector
• Trends: Spot industry-wide patterns

Tools and Resources

Free Tools

• Companies House website: Direct access to all filings
• OpenCorporates: Alternative search interface
• DueDil: Free basic company reports

Premium Services

• Ventur: Automated analysis and risk scoring
• Creditsafe: Credit reports with filing summaries
• Bureau van Dijk: Detailed financial analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Filing Delays

Late accounts often indicate deeper problems.

Focusing Only on Numbers

Qualitative factors like director quality matter too.

Not Checking Historical Data

One year's accounts don't tell the full story.

Action Steps for Better Research

1. Create a checklist: Standard items to check for every company
2. Set up alerts: Monitor key companies for new filings
3. Learn accounting basics: Understand balance sheets and P&L
4. Combine sources: Never rely on Companies House alone

By mastering Companies House data interpretation, you'll make more informed decisions about partnerships, investments, and opportunities. The data is free and comprehensive—it's just about knowing what to look for.

Want automated Companies House analysis? Try Ventur for instant insights.

Questions about filing interpretation? Email hello@venturhq.co.uk

Stay informed,
The Ventur Research Team