Small Company
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What is the definition of a Small Company?
The Companies Act 2006 and its associated regulations set out several criteria for a company to qualify as small. To qualify as a small company, at least two of the following conditions must be met.
- The company’s annual turnover doesn’t exceed £6.5 million
- The balance sheet total (meaning, the total of the fixed and current assets) doesn’t exceed £3.26 million
- The company employs no more than 50 personnel
Small companies have less onerous and detailed accounting responsibilities because of their smaller turnover and asset holdings. This stipulation saves smaller companies time, money, and resources when preparing their financial accounts — all of which are at a premium for smaller companies.
Related Articles:
- Glossary: Dormant CompanyDefinition of a dormant company for accounting purposes. How to determine if a company can be classified as a dormant for accounting purposes.
- Glossary: Exemptions for Small CompaniesSmall companies and the associated subset micro-entities are able to claim certain exemptions when they file their accounts.
- Glossary: Filed Accounts Medium-Sized CompanyAs with a small company, a medium-sized company is determined by its turnover, balance sheet total (meaning the total of the assets) and the average number of employees.
- Glossary: Exemptions for Subsidiary CompaniesA subsidiary may claim exemption from audit if its parent is established under the law of an EEA state, in certain circumstances.
- Glossary: Filed Accounts for a Small CompanyTo qualify a small company must meet at least two of the following conditions; annual turnover must be not more than £10.2 million, the balance sheet total must be not more than £5.1 million, the average number of employees must be not more than 50.