1. Prove the legal identity
Start with the Companies House number. Verify the current legal name, incorporation date, company type, registered office and former names. Treat a trading name, website or brand as supporting context—not as proof that you found the right legal entity.
Search CompanyBeacon by company name or number, then open the official Companies House record from the profile.
2. Check company status and filing rhythm
Read company status, accounts period, accounts due date and confirmation-statement date as separate fields. Review the filing history for recent accounts, director changes, registered-office changes and strike-off notices. A late filing is a prompt to investigate, not proof of insolvency.
The company accounts filing-deadline guide explains first accounts, changed periods and the distinction from HMRC deadlines.
3. Read accounts with their limitations
Record the accounting period, filing date and accounts type before comparing figures. Micro-entity and small-company accounts may provide limited detail. Companies House accepts filings; it does not audit every number or express a view on creditworthiness.
4. Review directors and control
Check current and resigned officers, appointment dates and people with significant control on the original record. Note gaps or changes for follow-up, but do not infer conduct from a name or appointment alone. Handle personal data proportionately and never republish private addresses or full dates of birth from raw data.
5. Examine charges and distress signals
Review registered charges, whether each is outstanding or satisfied, and the secured party and filing date. Check insolvency entries, Gazette notices, strike-off action and dissolution history. These sources show legal events; they do not prove fraud or quantify recoveries.
6. Add exact-identifier public context
Where an exact published company number exists, CompanyBeacon may show public-contract notices, Charity Commission links or a GLEIF Legal Entity Identifier. These can reveal counterparties and identity connections. Contract values are disclosed notice fields—not verified revenue—and an LEI status is not a Companies House status.
Browse the UK government-contract supplier directory or the portfolio LEI report.
7. Build an evidence packet
- Exact company number and legal name.
- Source URLs and observation dates.
- Current status and material filing dates.
- Relevant filing PDFs or document links.
- Officer, control, charge and insolvency questions.
- Public-contract or charity matches only where identifiers are exact.
- Items requiring confirmation from management or a professional adviser.
What this checklist cannot decide
Public records are a starting point. They cannot establish beneficial ownership beyond the published record, commercial viability, tax compliance, undisclosed liabilities, sanctions status, current bank position or investment suitability. For an acquisition, investment, credit or legal decision, use appropriate professional and primary-source checks.
Official sources
GOV.UK: get information about a company
Companies House
The Gazette: insolvency notices
GOV.UK: company-name checks
Next steps
Check a company, explore CompanyBeacon reports, or review the methodology and limitations.