On 5 February 2021, the FCA updated its web page concerning changes to regulatory reporting during coronavirus.

The update provides that due to the challenges faced by firms and their auditors preparing audited financial statements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCA will allow flexibility in the submission deadline for FIN-A (annual report and accounts). The FCA explains that for this return only, firms may apply a 2-month extension to the deadline for submissions due up to and including 31 July 2021. The FCA states that firms should note that this flexibility is intended to cover the situation where the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it impractical to finalise audited financial statements. If firms are able to submit FIN-A on time, they should do so and in any event should submit it as soon as they are reasonably able to and no later than 30 September 2021.