The email from Companies House arrives unexpectedly.
Your confirmation statement is overdue.
Suddenly, your mind starts racing.
- Have I missed something important?
- Is my CIC now at risk?
- Is this the same thing as annual accounts?
- Could Companies House strike my company off?
- What even is a CS01?
If you are a first-time Community Interest Company director, this moment can feel incredibly stressful.
And the truth is, many directors only realise how important the confirmation statement is after warning notices start arriving.
What makes this worse is that most online guidance feels cold, technical, and confusing — especially for non-accountants trying to run a CIC for the first time.
But here is the good news.
Once you understand what the confirmation statement actually does — and the filing mistake many directors accidentally make — the process becomes much easier to manage.
In this guide, we will explain:
- what a CIC confirmation statement is
- why Companies House requires it
- the CS01 mistake that catches many directors out
- how to file online correctly
- confirmation statement deadlines
- what happens if your filing becomes overdue
- how to avoid unnecessary Companies House problems
By the end, you will know exactly what your Community Interest Company needs to do to remain compliant and avoid costly mistakes.
What Is a CIC Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement is a legal filing submitted to Companies House to confirm your company information is accurate and up to date.
It is filed using form CS01.
Every Community Interest Company must file one — even if absolutely nothing changed during the year.
This is where many first-time directors become confused.
A lot of people assume:
“If nothing changed, surely I don’t need to file anything?”
Unfortunately, that is not how Companies House sees it.
The confirmation statement exists to officially confirm that your CIC information on the public register remains correct.
This includes:
- director details
- registered office address
- SIC codes
- shareholder information
- Persons With Significant Control (PSC)
Importantly, the confirmation statement is completely separate from:
- annual accounts
- Corporation Tax returns
- the CIC34 Community Interest Report
Filing your accounts does NOT automatically file your confirmation statement.
This misunderstanding alone creates major compliance problems every year.
Image Suggestion — Understanding CS01
The CS01 Filing Mistake Many CIC Directors Make
This is where many first-time CIC directors get caught out.
They assume:
“I already filed my accounts, so everything must be complete.”
Unfortunately, Companies House treats these as completely separate obligations.
And this misunderstanding is one of the biggest reasons confirmation statements become overdue.
Annual Accounts
Your accounts explain your CIC’s financial performance during the year.
These filings contain financial information.
Confirmation Statements (CS01)
The confirmation statement confirms company information is accurate.
It does NOT report profits, income, or financial performance.
The Problem
Many directors genuinely believe:
- filing accounts means all filings are complete
- their accountant handled everything automatically
- confirmation statements are optional if nothing changed
Unfortunately, these assumptions can quickly create:
- overdue filings
- warning notices
- strike-off concerns
- banking issues
- funding complications
What most first-time directors do not realise is that Companies House treats overdue confirmation statements very seriously.
Image Suggestion — Accounts vs CS01
Do Community Interest Companies Need To File Confirmation Statements?
Yes.
All Community Interest Companies must file annual confirmation statements with Companies House.
Many directors wrongly assume that because a CIC operates for community benefit, the filing rules are somehow different from standard limited companies.
They are not.
A CIC is still a registered company structure.
That means it must comply with Companies House filing obligations just like any other UK company.
This includes:
- confirmation statements
- annual accounts
- director updates
- PSC reporting
- maintaining accurate company records
Some directors only discover this after:
- receiving overdue notices
- applying for funding
- struggling with bank compliance checks
- seeing strike-off warnings appear online
This is why understanding your filing obligations early matters so much.
What Information Is Included on a Confirmation Statement?
When filing your confirmation statement, you are confirming that key company information remains accurate.
Registered Office Address
This is where official Companies House and HMRC correspondence is sent.
If this address is wrong or outdated, important notices can easily be missed.
Director Details
Director information must remain accurate and updated.
Incorrect records can create compliance concerns.
SIC Codes
SIC codes describe what your CIC actually does.
Many companies select incorrect SIC codes during formation and never review them again.
Persons With Significant Control (PSC)
PSC information identifies individuals who significantly influence or control the company.
Companies House treats PSC reporting extremely seriously.
Shareholder Information
If your CIC is limited by shares, shareholder details must remain accurate.
Company Email Address
Companies House increasingly relies on digital communication, making accurate email details more important than ever.
Why Companies House Takes CS01 Filings Seriously
Many directors ask:
“Why does Companies House even need this every year?”
The answer is transparency.
Companies House maintains a public register so that:
- funders
- banks
- suppliers
- regulators
- members of the public
can see who controls a company and whether its information is accurate.
Confirmation statements help Companies House ensure:
- company records remain current
- directors are identifiable
- ownership details remain transparent
- companies remain accountable
For CICs, this matters even more because Community Interest Companies rely heavily on public trust.
This is one reason overdue confirmation statements are taken seriously.
CIC Confirmation Statement Deadline Explained
A confirmation statement is usually required every 12 months.
Your CIC has what Companies House calls a “review period.”
At the end of that review period, you normally have 14 days to file your confirmation statement.
This is where many directors become confused.
Some mistakenly believe:
- the review period itself is the deadline
- filing late “does not matter”
- Companies House will endlessly remind them
Unfortunately, these assumptions can create serious problems later.
You can check your filing deadline using the official Companies House register:
Companies House company search service
Staying ahead of deadlines is one of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary stress.
How To File a CIC Confirmation Statement Online (Step-by-Step)
For most directors, filing online is the quickest and easiest option.
Step 1 — Sign Into Companies House
Access the official filing service:
File your confirmation statement online
Step 2 — Access Your CIC
Search for your company and open your filing area.
Step 3 — Review Your Company Information
Carefully check:
- director details
- address information
- SIC codes
- PSC information
This is where many filing mistakes happen.
Step 4 — Update Any Changes
If anything changed during the year, update the information before filing.
Step 5 — Submit Form CS01
Once satisfied everything is accurate, submit the filing.
Step 6 — Pay the Filing Fee
Companies House charges a filing fee for confirmation statements.
Always check the latest official guidance before filing:
Government guidance for filing confirmation statements
Image Suggestion — Filing CS01 Online
What Happens If Your Confirmation Statement Becomes Overdue?
This is the stage many directors underestimate.
An overdue confirmation statement can eventually lead to:
- warning notices
- Companies House enforcement action
- compulsory strike-off proceedings
- banking concerns
- funding issues
- reputational damage
And for Community Interest Companies, reputation matters enormously.
Funders, grant providers, and banks often review Companies House records before making decisions.
An overdue filing can damage confidence very quickly.
What starts as:
“I’ll deal with it next week”
can slowly turn into something far more stressful.
Image Suggestion — Strike-Off Warning
Frequently Asked Questions About CIC Confirmation Statements
What is form CS01?
CS01 is the official form used to file a confirmation statement with Companies House.
Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?
No. These are completely separate filings.
Do CICs need confirmation statements?
Yes. All Community Interest Companies must file annual confirmation statements.
Can I file a confirmation statement myself?
Yes. Many directors file directly through the Companies House online service.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Companies House may eventually begin enforcement or strike-off action if filings remain overdue.
Can a CIC be struck off for missing CS01?
Yes. Persistent failure to file confirmation statements can eventually result in compulsory strike-off proceedings.
What is the difference between a CIC34 and CS01?
The CIC34 explains community benefit activities, while the CS01 confirms company information remains accurate.
File Your CIC Confirmation Statement With Confidence
Filing your first CIC confirmation statement can feel confusing, especially when Companies House deadlines, CS01 forms, and compliance rules are completely new to you.
One small mistake or missed deadline can quickly turn into unnecessary stress, warning notices, or strike-off risks.
Ready to streamline your compliance and ensure your CIC confirmation statement is filed correctly and on time?
Let KG Accountants take the pressure off.
Our specialist CIC accountants support Community Interest Companies across the UK with:
- Confirmation statement filings
- Companies House compliance
- Ongoing CIC support
- First-time director guidance
Call us today on 0207 078 7477 or complete our enquiry form in order to book a FREE initial CIC consultation.
Categories: Community Interest Companies, Confirmation Statement, Confirmation statement (CS01)
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