Abbreviated accounts were formerly a simplified form of annual accounts that small qualifying companies could file under the Companies Act to cut costs and save time, while minimizing the disclosure of business information.
The Accounting Directive (2014/95/EU) aims to simplify the disclosure requirements for small companies, notably through the introduction of abridged accounts, and includes special rules for micro-entities. The directive was incorporated into UK law in 2015 and applies to financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.
A micro-entity is a very small company that meets specific criteria for turnover, net worth, and number of employees, allowing it to present simplified annual accounts under certain regulatory frameworks.
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