Annual returns and accounts: mutual societies

First published: Last updated: 28/10/2020 See all updates

How to submit your annual returns and accounts to the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) update

Some societies are still experiencing delays in producing annual returns and accounts because of coronavirus. While we ask societies to take steps to submit their returns to us as soon as is reasonably practicable, we previously explained that we wouldn't take any action before 31 October 2020 to follow-up on any delayed submission where the delay is 3 months or less. That remains the case.
For annual returns and accounts due for submission by 30 April 2021, we won't take any action to follow-up on delayed submissions, where the delay is 3 months or less. 
Societies don't need to contact us to tell us about a delay. For more information, get in touch.

Societies that need to send annual returns and accounts

All registered mutual societies must submit accounts each year. Registered societies, working men’s clubs, benevolent societies, and specially authorised societies must also submit an annual return form with their accounts.

You’re responsible for making sure that the documents are:

  • submitted on time (we don’t send reminder letters)
  • prepared by a competent person

You must send your accounts to us even if you send them to another body like a national umbrella body.

Send your accounts to the FCA and the PRA

You need to submit accounts to the FCA and the PRA if you’re:

  • a building society (two copies to the FCA, one to the PRA)
  • a friendly society incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 (two copies to the FCA, one to the PRA)
  • credit union (one copy to the FCA and PRA)

Send your annual returns and accounts:

  • online: using our mutual society portal
  • by email: [email protected] (send documents as PDFs and don’t include a covering letter)
  • by post: Mutuals Registration, Mutuals Team, Financial Conduct Authority, 12 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN

Registered societies

  • Registered societies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies (AR30) can submit their annual return online using our mutual society portal.

Working men’s clubs

Specially authorised societies

This form is for specially authorised societies, including:

  • benevolent societies
  • cattle insurance societies
  • societies registered for medical assistance

Annual return form (AR5)

Investment associations registered as specially authorised societies

Annual return form (AR5A)

Send your annual returns and accounts to the PRA

You need to submit annual returns and accounts to the PRA if you’re:

  • a building society
  • a credit union
  • a regulated friendly society (for example, insurers)
  • another society regulated by the PRA

Find more information about reporting requirements for regulated societies.

Regulated friendly societies should send annual returns and accounts:

  • by email: [email protected] (send a signed paper copy as well by post)
  • by post: Regulatory Data Group, Statistics and Regulatory Data Division (TS05 B-D), Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH

Credit unions should send annual returns and accounts:

  • by email: [email protected]
  • by post: Regulatory Data Group, Statistics and Regulatory Data Division (TS05 B-D), Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH

PRA contact for returns reporting

When you must submit your annual return and accounts

The submission period varies depending on what type of society you are.

  • Registered societies (including co-operative societies and community benefit societies) must send their accounts and annual returns within 7 months of the financial year-end.
  • Societies registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 must send accounts by 30 June each year, or 14 days before the annual general meeting, whichever is earlier.
  • Societies registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1974 must submit accounts and annual returns by 31 July each year.

Who must sign the annual return and accounts

The requirements vary depending on what type of society you are.

When audited accounts are needed

You may need your accounts auditing depending on your rules, turnover and asset size from the previous year, if you’re:

  • a co-operative and/or community benefit society – see the notes for more information
  • an unregulated friendly society (like a working men’s club, benevolent society or specially authorised society) – see the notes for more information

Change your accounting year-end date

If you change your accounting year-end date, you must notify us. You can do this online using our mutual society portal.

Annual returns and accounts that are incorrect

We’ll reject your documents if:

  • the annual return isn’t complete
  • the accounts don’t comply with the society's rules

You must then re-submit them.

If you don’t submit a return

If you don’t submit an annual return and accounts we can do one of the following:

  • cancel your society registration (the society no longer exists as a legal entity and members lose their limited liability, though friendly societies registered under the 1974 Act do not have limited liability)
  • prosecute the society (if convicted, you may have to pay a fine of up to £1,000 per offence and costs)

See a list of societies that have been prosecuted or cancelled for not submitting their annual returns and accounts.

Contact details

Page updates

28/10/2020: Information added update on annual returns and accounts during coronavirus.