Company secretarial work is an essential part of managing a company’s compliance, but it can also create a significant administrative burden for accountancy practices. From confirmation statements and director changes to shareholder records, statutory documents and filing deadlines, there are numerous details to manage across a client portfolio. 

The right company secretarial software can help practices organise these responsibilities, reduce repetitive administration and establish more consistent workflows. However, purchasing the software is only the first step. To realise its full value, firms need to use it regularly, keep their knowledge up to date and ensure their teams understand the features available to them. 

So, why is company secretarial software important, and how can practices make sure they continue to get the most from it? 

1. Keep Company Information and Compliance Tasks Organised

One of the main reasons to use company secretarial software is to bring essential company information and compliance activities into one place. 

Practices managing multiple companies may need to track confirmation statement dates, director and shareholder changes, people with significant control (PSCs), registered office details and other company records. When this information is spread across spreadsheets, emails, paper documents and separate systems, it can be harder to maintain a clear overview. 

Company secretarial software helps centralise these activities, giving teams a more structured way to manage company records and the tasks associated with them. 

Depending on the software, features may include: 

• Company formation and company record management 
• Confirmation statement preparation and filing 
• Director, officer and shareholder changes 
• PSC calculations and records 
• Document and minutes production 
• Deadline reminders and filing notifications 
• Digital filing with Companies House 

Having these tools available in one place can reduce duplication and make it easier for staff to understand what needs to be done, who is responsible and what remains outstanding. 

2. Reduce Repetitive Administration and Manual Work

Company secretarial tasks can involve a considerable amount of routine administration. Preparing documents, checking company details, requesting client confirmations and submitting information can all take time, particularly when the same processes must be repeated across many companies. 

Software can help streamline these activities by automating or simplifying parts of the workflow. 

For example, automated reminders can help teams keep upcoming deadlines visible. Pre-populated forms and document templates can reduce the need to enter the same information repeatedly, while batch filing and combined workflows can make certain tasks more efficient. 

Some systems also offer client portals and checklists, allowing clients to review company information and confirm whether changes are required before a filing is completed. 

The benefit is not simply about completing individual tasks more quickly. It is about establishing repeatable processes that can be followed consistently across the practice. 

Over time, this can help teams spend less time on routine administration and more time on client service and other higher-value work. 

3. Improve Visibility Across Your Client Portfolio

The more companies a practice manages, the harder it can become to keep track of every deadline, change and outstanding action. 

Without a clear overview, teams may rely on individual reminders, inbox searches or spreadsheets to identify what needs attention. This can make it difficult to see the bigger picture, particularly when several members of staff share responsibility for company secretarial work. 

Company secretarial software can provide a more centralised view of key dates, filing activity and outstanding tasks. Depending on the features available, users may also be able to configure notifications and access permissions to suit different roles within the practice. 

This visibility supports better planning and helps teams identify upcoming work earlier, rather than reacting only when a deadline approaches. 

It is important to remember, however, that software supports compliance management rather than replacing professional oversight. Practices still need to check the accuracy of company information, understand their responsibilities and ensure filings are completed correctly and on time. 

4. Why Continuing to Use the Software Matters

Buying company secretarial software does not automatically make a practice more efficient. Its value depends on how consistently the team uses it. 

If staff continue to maintain separate spreadsheets, store key information in individual inboxes or manage certain filings outside the system, the practice may end up duplicating work rather than reducing it. 

Inconsistent use can also make it harder for colleagues to understand the status of a client, find the latest information or pick up a task when another team member is unavailable. 

To get the most from company secretarial software, practices should make it part of their standard workflow. 

That means agreeing how company records will be maintained, where tasks should be recorded, who is responsible for monitoring deadlines and how staff should handle client information and filing updates. 

It also means reviewing existing processes periodically. If the team is still carrying out tasks manually that could be handled within the software, there may be opportunities to simplify the workflow. 

The aim is to make the software the team’s normal working environment, rather than an additional tool used only for occasional filings. 

5. Keep Up with New Features and Software Updates

Company secretarial software evolves as providers introduce new features, improve existing workflows and respond to changing requirements. 

Yet it is easy for busy practices to overlook product updates, particularly when day-to-day deadlines take priority. 

That can mean missing features that could save time, improve collaboration or make routine tasks easier to manage. 

For example, a software update might introduce improvements to confirmation statement workflows, additional automation, new document-production options or more efficient ways to manage several companies at once. 

If users are unaware of these changes, they may continue following older processes or carrying out work manually when a more efficient option is available. 

Regular updates are also important because company secretarial work operates within a changing regulatory environment. Practices should pay attention to relevant software announcements and guidance, understand what has changed and check whether their internal procedures need to be adjusted. 

It is worth distinguishing between product updates and regulatory updates: a software update does not remove the need for users to understand the rules or check that the software supports the requirements relevant to their clients. 

A simple routine can help: 

• Review software release notes and update announcements. 
• Identify new features that could benefit the team. 
• Check whether existing workflows need to change. 
• Share relevant updates with the people who use the software. 
• Make time to explore new functionality before it is needed for a live client task. 

This helps ensure that the practice continues to benefit from the tools it already has. 

6. Make Training Part of Your Practice’s Routine

Even a feature-rich system will deliver limited value if users do not know how to use it effectively. 

Training is particularly important when new employees join, responsibilities change or software introduces new functionality. Without guidance, staff may develop different ways of completing the same task, increasing inconsistency and making processes harder to manage. 

Effective training does not have to mean lengthy sessions or taking the whole team away from client work. 

Short, practical resources can be easier to fit into a busy schedule. These might include: 

• Step-by-step user guides 
• Short screen-recording videos 
• Live demonstrations of common workflows 
• Frequently asked questions 
• Internal checklists and process documents 
• Refresher sessions when new features are introduced 

Training should also be ongoing rather than limited to the initial onboarding period. A member of staff who learned the basics several months ago may not be familiar with features introduced since then. 

It can help to identify a person within the practice who keeps track of product updates and shares relevant information with colleagues. This creates a simple link between software developments and the way the team works. 

The objective is not for everyone to know every feature. It is for users to understand the tools relevant to their responsibilities and know where to find help when they need it.  

You can get in touch with your Capium onboarding manager to find out when the next training sessions are held. 

7. Prepare for Changing Company Secretarial Requirements

The importance of maintaining effective company secretarial processes is reinforced by changes to Companies House requirements. 

For example, identity verification requirements for directors and people with significant control have introduced additional steps for many companies and the professionals supporting them. Companies House has also announced reforms to accounts filing, including a move to software-only filing from April 2028. Practices should monitor official guidance and prepare for changes relevant to their client portfolios.  

These developments underline why company secretarial workflows should be reviewed regularly. 

Practices need to understand which clients are affected, what information must be collected, which deadlines apply and whether their existing processes are suitable for the requirements ahead. 

Software can help organise information, track tasks and support filing processes, but the practice still needs to ensure its procedures reflect the current rules. 

Keeping staff trained and reviewing available software features can help firms adapt more effectively as requirements evolve. 

8. Get More Value from Your Existing Investment

For practices that already have company secretarial software, improving efficiency may not require investing in another system. It may start with making better use of the tools already available. 

A useful review could include asking: 

• Are all relevant company records maintained in the software? 
• Are staff following consistent processes? 
• Are reminders and notifications configured appropriately? 
• Are there manual tasks that could be simplified? 
• Do team members know about the latest features? 
• Is training available when new employees join or workflows change? 
• Are current processes aligned with the latest Companies House requirements? 

The answers can help identify where a small change, a refresher session or better use of an existing feature could make a meaningful difference. 

For practices reviewing their systems, it is also worth checking whether the software offers the functionality they need, including suitable filing options, document production, client collaboration and support. 

Make Company Secretarial Software Work Harder for Your Practice 

Company secretarial software can play an important role in helping accountancy practices organise compliance tasks, reduce repetitive administration and manage company records more consistently. But the benefits do not stop once the software has been purchased and set up. 

Regular use, ongoing training and awareness of new features all contribute to getting more value from the system. They can also help practices maintain consistent processes and respond more confidently as client needs and Companies House requirements change. 

Capium’s Company Secretarial software brings together tools for company formation, confirmation statements, company changes, PSC calculations, document production, filing and deadline management. Features such as Quicksteps, client checklists and automated reminders can help practices streamline recurring tasks and manage their company secretarial work more efficiently.  

If you already use company secretarial software, take time to review how your team uses it and whether there are features you could be making better use of. And if you are considering a new system, look beyond the initial setup to the training, support and ongoing development that will help your practice get lasting value from it. 

Want to see how Capium Company Secretarial could support your practice? Book a demo today.

The post Why Company Secretarial Software Matters for Accountancy Practices  appeared first on capium.

For accountants and their clients, compliance is becoming harder to manage. 

Recent survey evidence points to a familiar problem: more legislative change, more administrative burden and too many disconnected processes. 

And clients are increasingly looking for a different approach. 

Compliance overload is becoming a real problem 

In HMRC’s and the Administrative Burdens Advisory Board’s survey, 61.6% of respondents said the legislative tax-compliance burden had worsened over the previous year, while 62.8% said legislative change had affected them. 

For accountants, the impact goes beyond keeping up with new rules. 

Every change can mean new client conversations, updated processes, additional checks and more time spent helping clients understand what they need to do. 

The compliance workload can quickly become administrative workload. 

Clients don’t necessarily want another system 

There is also a clear signal about how people want technology to work. 

When asked about record keeping and tax submissions, 57.9% preferred integrated day-to-day record keeping and tax submission, compared with 42.1% who preferred separate systems. 

That difference matters. 

For clients, moving information between platforms can create additional work and opportunities for errors. For accountants, disconnected systems can mean rekeying information, checking data and managing multiple workflows. 

The attraction of integration is therefore not simply convenience. 

It is about removing unnecessary steps from the compliance process. 

More guidance isn’t always the answer 

There is another interesting finding. 

Among those responding to the relevant question, 72% said GOV.UK guidance had not helped them complete their task. 

The reasons reported included complexity, generic information, poor navigation and reliance on an accountant. 

That does not mean guidance is unimportant. It highlights a bigger issue: having information available is not the same as making a task easy to complete. 

For accountants, this creates another layer of work. Clients may have access to the rules, but still need help translating those rules into practical action. 

Technology needs to create capacity 

This is also reflected in what accountancy practices are looking for from technology. 

ICAEW’s recent mid-tier research found that growth from existing clients is increasingly important alongside winning new clients, with firms placing greater emphasis on service mix, technology and capacity. 

That changes the conversation around software. 

The question is not simply: 

“Can technology help us charge more?” 

It is: 

“Can technology help us deliver more value without creating more administrative work?” 

If routine processes can be automated, information can flow between modules and client data is available in one connected workflow, practices can potentially create capacity for higher-value work. 

That could mean better client service, broader services or more time for advisory conversations — without relying entirely on increasing fees or taking on more clients. 

From compliance burden to connected workflows 

The evidence points towards a common theme. 

Clients are dealing with increasing complexity. Accountants are managing more compliance requirements. And disconnected systems can add to the workload rather than solve it. 

Technology cannot remove regulatory change. 

But the right technology can help reduce the administrative friction around it. 

For accountancy practices, that means looking beyond individual features and asking a more fundamental question: 

How much unnecessary work is your current technology stack creating? 

The opportunity is not simply to digitise compliance. 

It is to build more connected workflows that give accountants and their clients time back. 

The post Compliance Is Getting Harder. Could Better Technology Help? appeared first on capium.

For many accountancy firms, growth is the goal. But growth can bring its own challenges — more clients, more work, more deadlines and more pressure on teams and systems.

So how do you grow a successful practice without simply creating more work for yourself?

From winning those first clients to building efficient processes and knowing when to invest in people and technology, the decisions firms make as they grow can have a lasting impact.

Growth isn’t just about winning more clients

Bringing in new business is important, but sustainable growth requires more than a strong pipeline.

As a practice moves from its first 10 clients to 50, 100 and beyond, the way it operates often needs to change. Processes that worked when the firm was small can become time-consuming, technology can start to feel fragmented, and keeping on top of client work can become increasingly difficult.

At the same time, firms need to maintain the personal service that helped them win those clients in the first place.

The challenge is finding the right balance between growth, efficiency and client experience.

Building the foundations for sustainable growth

For newer practices, getting the foundations right can make a significant difference.

That includes having clear pricing, effective onboarding, consistent processes and technology that supports the way the practice wants to work — rather than creating more administration.

For established firms, the challenge can be different. Systems and processes that once worked well may no longer be suitable for a larger client base or growing team.

Knowing when to review, automate or change the way you work can be just as important as winning the next client.

Finding the right clients — and the right growth strategy

There isn’t one route to practice growth.

Some firms build their client base through referrals and recommendations. Others use partnerships, targeted marketing or a specialist niche to stand out in a competitive market.

Finding the right approach depends on the firm’s ambitions, capacity and target clients.

And growth doesn’t necessarily mean pursuing every opportunity. Winning the right clients can be more valuable than simply winning more clients.

Scaling without creating more admin

One of the biggest risks of growth is that every new client brings additional administration.

Without effective workflows, firms can find themselves spending increasing amounts of time chasing information, managing deadlines and moving data between systems.

Automation and better processes can help firms work more efficiently, but technology is only part of the answer. Successful scaling also requires clear responsibilities, consistent workflows and a client experience that can be maintained as the practice grows.

The goal isn’t simply to do more work. It’s to build a practice that can handle growth without everything becoming harder to manage.

What can established practitioners teach us?

Every practice has a different growth journey, which is why hearing directly from practitioners can be particularly valuable.

What worked when they started? Which decisions made the biggest difference? What would they do differently? And what lessons have they learned as their firms have grown?

These are the kinds of real-world experiences that can help other practice owners make better decisions about their own next stage of growth.

Join the Modern Practice Growth webinar

If you’re starting a practice, building your client base or looking to scale an established firm, join us for a practical discussion on what successful accountancy firms are doing differently.

The panel will explore:

• Building your first 10, 50 and 100 clients
• Marketing, referrals, partnerships and finding the right niche
• Getting technology, pricing, processes and onboarding right
• Knowing when to automate or recruit
• Creating workflows that keep work moving
• Improving efficiency while maintaining client service
• Scaling sustainably without losing control

Meet the panel

Host: Tushir Patel
Co-founder, Capium

Shane Lukas
Managing Director, AVN – The Accountant’s Network

Alan Wood
Director, Woods2

Tracey Aldous FMAAT
Director, TAG Accountancy Services

The panel will share real experiences, practical insights and lessons learned from building and growing accountancy practices.

Modern Practice Growth: What Successful Accountancy Firms Are Doing Differently

Wednesday 23 September 2026 | 12pm BST

Real experiences. Practical strategies. Ideas you can put into action.

👉 Register now to book your spot.

The post Modern Practice Growth: What Successful Accountancy Firms Are Doing Differently appeared first on capium.

Discover how outsourcing can help your practice stay compliant, manage capacity and protect profitability. 

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT) is changing more than just the way accountants submit tax information. For many firms, it’s transforming workloads, stretching resources and prompting a rethink of how compliance services are delivered. 

Quarterly reporting, digital record keeping and increased client interaction all require more time. At the same time, firms continue to face recruitment challenges, rising costs and pressure to maintain healthy profit margins. 

The question isn’t whether practices can deliver MTD services—it’s how they can do so efficiently and profitably. 

The MTD Challenge Facing Practices 

As more sole traders and landlords come within the scope of MTD for Income Tax, practices are preparing for a significant increase in recurring compliance work. 

For many firms, traditional delivery models simply weren’t designed for quarterly reporting. What was once an annual process now requires more frequent client engagement, tighter deadlines and consistent digital record keeping throughout the year. 

Without the right processes in place, practices risk increasing costs, overloading their teams and reducing profitability. 

Could Outsourcing Be the Answer? 

More firms are exploring outsourcing as a practical way to increase capacity while maintaining high service standards. 

By outsourcing selected compliance tasks, practices can free up internal resources, improve turnaround times and focus on higher-value advisory services. 

Combined with cloud accounting technology, outsourcing can help firms create scalable workflows that support long-term growth without significantly increasing overheads. 

Join Our Live Webinar 

To help practices navigate these challenges, Unison Globus UK and Capium are hosting a live webinar exploring how outsourcing can help firms deliver MTD for Income Tax more efficiently while improving profitability. 

Deliver MTD for Income Tax and Boost Profits Through Outsourcing 

Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
Time: 11:00am BST 

During the session, you’ll discover: 

• What we’ve learned from the MTD rollout so far  
• Why traditional delivery models are struggling  
• The impact of quarterly reporting deadlines and the penalty regime  
• How outsourcing supports efficient MTD delivery  
• Practical ways to improve profitability while managing growing workloads  
• How to build an effective outsourcing strategy  
• Fixed-price outsourcing options for MTD for Income Tax  

Who Should Attend? 

This webinar is ideal for: 

• Accounting practice owners and partners  
• Accountants and bookkeepers preparing for MTD for Income Tax  
• Firms experiencing capacity or recruitment challenges  
• Practices looking to improve efficiency and protect margins  
• Firms exploring outsourcing as part of their long-term growth strategy  

Future-Proof Your Practice 

MTD for Income Tax presents both challenges and opportunities. Firms that embrace efficient workflows, leverage technology and adopt flexible delivery models will be better placed to meet client demand while maintaining profitability. 

Join Unison Globus UK and Capium to discover how outsourcing can help your practice deliver MTD services with confidence—and build a more scalable, profitable future. 

Reserve your free place today. 

The post MTD for Income Tax Doesn’t Have to Reduce Your Profits appeared first on capium.