Annual Returns - Prepare to file

The majority of companies in Ireland have an Annual Return Date of 30^th September so to avoid getting caught out start preparing now.

• Check status of your company’s filing in the Companies Registration Office is correct

• Check if any of the directors have changed their personal details. The two most common changes are where directors have changed home address or their list of directorships are not current.

• When a director moves home address a statutory form must be filed noting the new address and effective date of change.

• The list of directorships should include all directorships held worldwide, past and present, within past 5 years.

• Have the Financial Statements ready for filing.

• Confirm the designated signatories for the Annual Return will be available to sign when required, i.e. a specific named Director and the Company Secretary.

Taking the above steps now can help to ensure there are no delays when it comes to filing the Annual Return.

One last thing – docu-signatures are not permitted on the Annual Return – you have been warned!

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Check Yourself - Corporate Health

Everywhere we turn there seem to be advertisements advising us to check our personal health for this that and the other. No doubt all excellent advice but do we ever take time to check our corporate health as directors? It seems to me getting either one wrong will impact on us all to some extent.

There are no blood pressure cuffs when it comes to corporate health but there are a few checks we as director can all do to at least get started.

• Management accounts – should be circulated and read by Directors on a regular basis.
  

• Board meetings – should be held at least quarterly where Directors consider the overall direction of the company and do not get bogged down with the nitty gritty which is the role of the Management Team.
  

• Chairperson – how is that role managed by the Board and by the Chairperson. He/she should be capable of ensuring all participants have an opportunity to be heard, and that meetings do not run on for ages. Unfortunately, we have all been at meetings where certain individuals like to hear their own voice no matter the relevance of their words.
  

• Risk Register – does your company have one, and if not why not? A Risk Register (properly managed and regularly reviewed) can save an awful lot of headaches. For example, if you have a supply contract that has to be renewed annually you need to be able to negotiate this ahead of time and not after the event.
  

• Insurance – when were the company insurance policies last reviewed and at what level of detail. It is always surprising how little directors know about insurance cover even on a basic level such as whether or not they are covered under their own company’s director and officer liability insurance.

   

• Statutory filings – does the Board have a timetable of statutory filings even covering basic things such as filings with the Revenue Commissioners – Companies Registration Office – Central Registry of Beneficial Ownership.

   

Having the basics in place can help to ensure issues are dealt with in a timely manner with minimum fuss. Now don’t tell me that doesn’t help keep your blood pressure down!

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