Free company health check
Check any UK company for warning signs of financial trouble on its public record: overdue filings, negative or falling net assets, stale accounts and insolvency notices in The London Gazette. Useful before you extend credit to a customer, and a quick way to see what your own company's record says to lenders and suppliers.
Overdue accounts and confirmation statements
Late filing is one of the most common early signs of a finance function under strain.
Negative or falling net assets
Taken from the balance sheets filed at Companies House, year on year.
Stale accounts
Accounts more than 18 months old leave creditors working blind.
Gazette insolvency notices
Winding-up petitions, liquidations and administrations from The London Gazette.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a UK company is in financial trouble?
Look at its public record at Companies House and The London Gazette. Common warning signs are accounts or confirmation statements filed late, a balance sheet showing negative net assets, net assets falling from one year to the next, very old accounts, and any insolvency notice such as a winding-up petition. None of these proves a company is insolvent, but several together are a reason to review how much credit you extend.
Is this a credit score?
No. The check lists factual indicators from public records. It does not score or rate the company, and it cannot see information that is not filed publicly, such as current trading, bank facilities or unpaid tax.
What should I do if a customer shows several warning signs?
Review your exposure: tighten payment terms, ask for payment on account, check that your terms include retention of title, and avoid letting the balance grow. If the customer has already entered an insolvency process, see K2's guide to what to do when a customer goes into liquidation.
Worried about your own business? Read the warning signs a business needs a turnaround or see how a business turnaround works.