Customising your online services account

Set up your account dashboard to suit your needs

You can change the settings on your online services account dashboard so that particular information — for example, current applications and unfinished business — displays when you log in. You can also alter your settings to follow the activity of companies you have authority for, or an interest in. And you can select whether you want to view our Help text.

Arranging your dashboard

Your account dashboard contains a number of applications to help you keep track of:

  • tasks you must complete — My unfinished business
  • the status of applications you've made to the Companies Office — My unfinished business
  • all the companies you have authority for and their annual return filing month — My companies
  • activities and updates by companies you've chosen to follow — My watchlist.

Personalised dashboard screen shot.

My unfinished business

Under 'My unfinished business' you can see all tasks and applications that are outstanding or in progress.

My unfoinished business screen shot

My Tasks

Select 'My tasks' to view activities to be completed by an authorised person. For example, you may need to file an annual return, upload a signed consent form or complete an application for incorporation.

Select a task from the list to be taken directly to our online process for completing that task.

My Applications

Select 'My applications' to check the progress of your applications to the Companies Office. For example, if you're registering a director, the appointment shows as Pending until we receive a signed consent form for that director.

My companies

Under 'My companies' you can see the company name, company number, annual return filing month, registered office address and New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) for any companies that:

  • you personally have authority over as a director or authorised person, or
  • your organisation has authority for.

My companies tool

My watchlist

'My watchlist' allows you to receive alerts about activities by companies you've chosen to follow. For example, when they add a director, change their address or issue a public notice.

You can view these activities online, or receive daily, weekly or monthly email updates from us.My Watchlist screen shot

Select 'Manage entities' to:

  • add a new company to your watchlist — Add Entities
  • choose which events you want to be notified about for that company, or
  • remove a company from your watchlist.

How to customise your site settings

You can customise your settings in several ways. You can choose:

  • what home page you see by default each time you log in.
  • whether, when searching, the company details display:
    • on a single page — you will scroll down to see all the company details
    • as a tabbed view — you will select each tab to see all the company details.
  • whether to see 'Help' displayed when you're using our online services.

To customise your site settings follow these steps.

  1. Log in to your online services account.
  2. From the 'Online services' menu go to the 'Managing your online account' section.
  3. Select 'Manage your user account details'.
  4. Go to the 'General settings' tab.
  5. From the 'Default Companies Office Homepage' drop-down menu, select either:
    Dashboard
    Company Search
    File Annual Return or
    Incorporate Company.
  6. The 'Set default page view' drop-down allows you to change how information is presented.
    'Single page' will present all information on one screen, while 'tabbed view' separates information by topic.
  7. Under 'Display help', select 'Yes' or 'No' to see help text when you're adding or updating information, or using our business tools.
  8. 'Save' your changes to these settings.
Customise your site settings

How to update your personal user information

To update your personal user information follow these steps

  1. Log in to your online services account.
  2. From the 'Online services' menu go to the 'Managing your online account' section.
  3. Select 'Manage your user account details'.
  4. From the 'Person details' tab select the 'Change' button.
  5. Now you can update details such as your name, email address and phone number.
  6. Select 'Save changes'.
Manage your user account details

All help topics

Before you start a company 5 guides

Get an overview of how companies are structured, find out about the company records you need to keep, and what's involved when you incorporate with and report to the Companies Office.

Starting a company 11 guides

You need to comply with New Zealand laws when you incorporate your company with the Companies Office, including reserving a company name, appointing directors, issuing shares and registering for tax.

Keeping company details up to date 13 guides

Once your company is registered with the Companies Office, nominate who will have authority to file your annual returns, and update your name, address, constitution, director and shareholder details.

See all 13 guides for Keeping company details up to date

Shares and shareholders 7 guides

When you incorporate, you must provide details of all company shares and shareholders. As changes occur, you must update this information on your own share register and in your company's annual return.

Company directors 7 guides

Directors have responsibilities to their company and shareholders, and under the Companies Act 1993. You must register all your directors with the Companies Office and they must sign a consent form.​

Filing annual returns 7 guides

Find out about filing an annual return — the information you need to update, how to change your filing month or request a time extension — and what happens if you don't file your annual return by the due date.

Complying with the law 11 guides

Find out how New Zealand law affects the directors and shareholders of your company, and your responsibility to create and maintain accurate company records, report to us and file financial statements.

Financial reporting 7 guides

​Some large New Zealand and overseas companies, and all FMC reporting entities must submit audited annual financial statements to the Companies Office.

Managing an overseas company in New Zealand 11 guides

Before they can carry out some business activities, companies incorporated in other countries, including Australia, must register with the Companies Office and then keep their company details up to date.

Closing a company 11 guides

When your company closes down you need to remove it from the register. Your company can be removed if it amalgamates with another company or doesn't file its annual return.

Restoring a company to the register 4 guides

Only some companies can be reinstated to the Companies Register once they've been removed. Find out who can apply, what evidence to provide and if you should apply to the Registrar or the High Court.

When your company fails 9 guides

Find out about voluntary administration, receivership and liquidation (external administration), and the roles and responsibilities of those appointed to manage your company's affairs.

Managing your online account 8 guides

Creating an account with the Companies Office allows you to complete the majority of your transactions online. It's free to set up, but fees apply for some transactions, such as filing annual returns.

Getting support to use the Companies Register 8 guides

Get help with any technical problems you have using the register, such as uploading documents or searching for companies, directors and shareholders.