What period must a company's first accounts cover?

The first accounting reference period is automatically set for new companies. This is the first anniversary of the last day in the month in which the company was incorporated. Please note the Accounting reference Date is set on incorporation of the company can be changed.

For example, if the company was incorporated on 12 March 2009 its Accounting Reference Date (ARD) would be set at 31 March, and the first accounts would cover a period from 12 March 2009 to 31 March 2010 (or up to seven days either side of that date).

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