Service
The boring groundwork, done properly, on day one.
Most start-ups are driven by capable people with a good plan. The legal and financial set-up is rarely the part they enjoy. That is where we come in.
- Same-day limited company formation
- Structure advice: sole trader, partnership or limited
- VAT, PAYE and HMRC registrations handled
Getting the structure right first time
The choice between sole trader, partnership and limited company is the first real decision you make, and it is much cheaper to get right at the start than to unwind later. It affects your tax, your personal liability, how you can take money out, how you look to lenders and customers, and how much administration you carry.
There is no universally correct answer. A limited company is more tax-efficient above a certain profit level and gives you limited liability, but brings public filing, more paperwork and stricter rules on taking money out. Sole trader status is simple and private but exposes you personally. We look at your actual numbers and plans and give you a recommendation, not a lecture.
What we set up for you
- Same-day limited company formation at Companies House
- Registered office and company secretarial basics
- Registration with HMRC for corporation tax
- Self assessment registration for sole traders and partners
- VAT registration and choice of scheme
- PAYE scheme set up if you are taking on staff
- Partnership agreement guidance where two or more of you are involved
- Bookkeeping system chosen and set up so you start clean
The first-year mistakes we see most
- No separate business bank account. Mixing personal and business money makes the first set of accounts far more expensive to prepare.
- Not putting tax aside. The first tax bill, plus payments on account, catches people badly in year two.
- Losing the start-up receipts. Costs incurred before you started trading are often still allowable. Keep them.
- Taking money out of a company informally. A director’s loan account that goes overdrawn has real tax consequences.
- Registering for VAT too late. The liability starts from the date you should have registered, not the date you did.
Support through the first year
Setting the company up takes a day. The first twelve months are where it is actually won or lost. We stay in contact through that year, tell you what is coming before it arrives, and keep the fee predictable while cash is tight.
Who this suits
- First-time business owners
- Trades going self-employed
- Contractors setting up a company
- Partnerships being formed
- Side businesses going full time
Works well with
- Bookkeeping, payroll and VAT
- Annual accounts
- Sage setup and training
Talk it through
A free, no-obligation conversation about your situation. No sales pitch.
Common questions
How quickly can you form my limited company?
Usually the same day, provided we have the director and shareholder details and the name is available. You will have the certificate of incorporation and company number quickly.
Sole trader or limited company — which is better?
It depends on your profit level, your appetite for administration, whether you need limited liability, and how you want to take money out. Above a certain profit level a company is usually more efficient. We will run your actual figures both ways.
Do I need to register for VAT straight away?
Not unless you expect to exceed the threshold. Sometimes voluntary registration is worth it — particularly if you sell to VAT-registered businesses and have significant input VAT to reclaim. We will tell you which side of the line you are on.
What can I claim in my first year?
Most costs wholly and exclusively for the business, including many incurred before you started trading, plus capital allowances on equipment. Keep every receipt from the very beginning — people routinely throw away money here.
Can you help me with a business plan for the bank?
We can help you build credible financial forecasts and review a plan before it goes to a lender. We are accountants rather than a bank, but we know what lenders look for and where plans usually fall down.
Let’s take this off your plate.
A free, informal, no-obligation conversation. Bring your questions — leave with a fixed-fee quote.