Why Are Prior Year Comparative Figures Showing as Zero?

When you open the balance sheet section in @AdamsWinter, you will see two columns: the current year (figures you enter) and a prior year column showing comparative figures from your previous accounting period. If the prior year column shows zeros, this guide explains why and what to do.

Why Prior Year Figures Default to Zero

@AdamsWinter automatically tries to fetch prior year balance sheet figures from Companies House when you start a new filing. This works when your previous accounts were filed in iXBRL format — a machine-readable format used by most modern accounting software.

If the fetch returns nothing (or zeros), it is usually because:

Your previous accounts were filed in a format that is not machine-readable (for example, a scanned PDF or untagged document)
The prior year was filed with a different software or an accountant whose filing format is not compatible
This is your first year filing with @AdamsWinter and your previous accounts predate XBRL tagging requirements
A technical issue prevented the fetch from completing

ℹ The prior year fetch happens automatically in the background when your form loads. If you see zeros, the fetch did not return usable data — you can enter the figures manually.

How to Enter Prior Year Figures Manually

The prior year column in the balance sheet is fully editable. You do not need the automatic fetch to succeed — you can type in the correct figures directly.

Open your filing and go to the Balance Sheet section
Look for the Prior Year column (the right-hand column alongside your current year figures)
Enter your prior year balance sheet figures from your previous accounts:

- Fixed assets — equipment, property, vehicles owned for more than a year - Current assets — cash at bank, debtors, stock - Creditors due within one year — unpaid bills, short-term loans (enter as a positive number) - Creditors due after one year — long-term loans, mortgages - Share capital — the nominal value of shares issued

Save the form — the totals (net assets, shareholders funds) are calculated automatically

⚠ Enter creditors as a <strong>positive number</strong>. @AdamsWinter handles the sign automatically when generating your accounts.

Your prior year figures can be found on:

Your previous accounts document (PDF from your accountant or from Companies House WebFiling)
Your previous accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent — run a Balance Sheet report for the prior period end date)

If Your Accounts Are Already Submitted

If you notice the prior year zeros after your accounts have already been accepted by Companies House, you have two options:

Option 1 — Leave them as is. Companies House does not typically query the financial content of small company accounts. The acceptance stands, and the zero comparatives will not affect your corporation tax position or cause any HMRC issue.

Option 2 — File amended accounts through @AdamsWinter. If your accounts were originally filed through @AdamsWinter, you can file a corrected version directly from your dashboard — no need to use a separate service. Click Actions next to your accepted filing and select Amend Accounts. You will be asked for a brief reason and summary, then the form loads with all your original figures so you can fill in the correct prior year values. There is no extra charge for filing the amendment. See the full guide: How to Amend Companies House Accounts.

ℹ If your accounts were originally filed through a different service or via an accountant, you can file revised accounts under Section 454 of the Companies Act 2006 directly through the Companies House WebFiling service.

For most small companies, Option 1 is the practical choice. If your accounts need to be accurate for a specific purpose (bank lending, investment due diligence, etc.), Option 2 is the quickest way to fix it.

For Future Filings

When you start next year's filing, enter the prior year balance sheet figures manually if the auto-fetch returns zeros. Use the figures from your current year's accepted accounts as the starting point for next year's prior year column.

Common Questions

Will the zero comparatives cause problems with HMRC or Companies House?

No. HMRC only reviews your CT600 figures. Companies House accepts accounts without validating the financial content. Zero comparatives are an inaccuracy in the document but do not invalidate the filing.

Can I go back and fix this before submitting?

Yes — if your accounts have not yet been submitted to Companies House, you can edit the prior year column in the balance sheet section at any time before clicking Submit. The accounts are regenerated from your saved figures each time you preview or submit.

Why did the fetch return zeros instead of nothing?

When prior year data is unavailable or fails to load, @AdamsWinter defaults all prior year fields to zero (rather than leaving them blank) to ensure the balance sheet remains balanced during form entry. You can overwrite these zeros with the correct figures.

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