Start Your UK Limited Company with Confidence
Practical support with setting up a UK limited company and understanding the accounting, tax and reporting responsibilities that begin after registration.
Get Company Formation SupportSupport Before and After Company Registration
Setting up a limited company can be an important step for a new or growing business.
Before incorporation, you will need to consider matters such as the company name, registered office, directors, shareholders, share structure and the nature of the company’s activities.
Once the company is registered, its directors become responsible for maintaining appropriate company and accounting records, preparing annual accounts, submitting required returns and paying any Corporation Tax due.
Lugira Accounting provides practical guidance throughout the formation process and helps you understand the responsibilities that come with operating a UK limited company.
A structured start for your company
- Clear explanation of the formation process
- Support with the required company information
- Guidance on accounting and tax registrations
- Help setting up organised financial records
- Ongoing accounting support after incorporation
How We Can Help
Practical support with the main decisions, registrations and responsibilities involved in starting a UK limited company.
Company Formation Support
Assistance with preparing the information required to register a private limited company with Companies House.
Company Structure Guidance
Explanation of the roles of directors, shareholders and people with significant control, together with the basic share structure.
Accounting Setup
Support with establishing an organised accounting system, bookkeeping procedures and suitable accounting software.
Initial Tax Responsibilities
Guidance on Corporation Tax, payroll, VAT and other registrations that may be required depending on how the company operates.
What Our Company Formation Support May Include
The precise support required will depend on the ownership, activities and circumstances of the proposed company.
We help you organise the necessary information and understand the accounting and administrative steps that follow incorporation.
- Reviewing the proposed company name and business activity
- Explaining the responsibilities of company directors
- Identifying directors, shareholders and people with significant control
- Helping determine an appropriate initial share structure
- Selecting suitable Standard Industrial Classification codes
- Reviewing registered office and company contact requirements
- Supporting the Companies House incorporation process
- Explaining identity verification requirements where applicable
- Reviewing the company’s first accounting reference date
- Explaining initial Companies House and HMRC deadlines
- Providing guidance on Corporation Tax registration
- Reviewing whether PAYE or VAT registration may be required
- Helping establish suitable bookkeeping and accounting records
- Providing ongoing accounting support after incorporation
Our Company Formation Process
A clear step-by-step approach to forming your company and preparing it for its initial accounting and tax responsibilities.
Initial Discussion
We discuss your proposed business, its activities, ownership and the way you expect the company to operate.
Company Information
We organise the required information, including the company name, directors, shareholders, registered office, SIC codes and shares.
Registration Support
The formation application is prepared using the agreed information and submitted to Companies House.
Post-Formation Guidance
We explain the immediate accounting, tax and administrative steps that may be required after incorporation.
Information Usually Required to Form a Company
To register a private limited company, you will normally need to provide the following information.
Proposed Company Name
The name must comply with Companies House rules and must not be the same as an existing registered company name.
Registered Office Address
The company must have an appropriate registered office address in the UK jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.
Registered Email Address
A suitable email address must be supplied to Companies House. This email address is not displayed on the public register.
Director Information
A private limited company must have at least one director who is legally responsible for running the company.
Shareholder Information
The company must have at least one shareholder. A director can also be the company’s sole shareholder.
Share Structure
The application must state the number and type of shares being issued and identify who owns them.
People with Significant Control
Individuals or legal entities that own or control the company may need to be recorded as people with significant control.
SIC Code
The company must select one or more SIC codes describing the nature of its business activities.
What Happens After Your Company Is Formed?
Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation is only the beginning of the company’s accounting, tax and compliance responsibilities.
Corporation Tax
The company should ensure that its Corporation Tax position is correctly established and HMRC is informed when the company begins trading.
Accounting Records
The company must maintain sufficient records of its income, expenses, assets, liabilities and other financial transactions.
Annual Accounts
Most companies must prepare and submit annual accounts to Companies House, including companies that are dormant.
Company Tax Return
An active company will normally need to prepare a Company Tax Return and submit the required information to HMRC.
Confirmation Statement
Every company must review its Companies House information and submit a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months.
Payroll
If the company pays a salary to a director or employee, it may need to register as an employer and operate PAYE.
VAT
VAT registration may be required depending on the company’s activities and taxable turnover. Voluntary registration may also be considered.
Business Bank Account
Company finances should be kept separate from the personal funds of its directors and shareholders.
Company Records
Appropriate statutory and ownership records should be maintained and updated when relevant company information changes.
More Than a Company Registration Service
Our support is focused not only on registering the company but also on helping you understand how to operate it correctly.
Starting with organised records and a clear understanding of your responsibilities can make future accounting and compliance considerably easier.
Discuss Your New CompanyPractical Accounting Support
Guidance on the accounting responsibilities that follow company registration.
Clear Explanation
Company, accounting and tax responsibilities explained without unnecessary complexity.
Support from the Beginning
An organised accounting structure can be established before transactions begin to accumulate.
Personal Service
Support tailored to the company’s ownership, activities and expected method of operation.
Compliance Awareness
Guidance on the different reporting responsibilities owed to Companies House and HMRC.
Ongoing Accounting Services
Continued support with bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, annual accounts and Corporation Tax.
Who May Need Company Formation Support?
Support for individuals and businesses considering a UK limited company structure.
New Business Owners
Individuals starting a business who are considering operating through a limited company.
Sole Traders Incorporating
Existing sole traders considering transferring their business activities to a limited company.
Contractors and Consultants
Professionals who want a formal company structure for providing services to their clients.
Online and Retail Businesses
E-commerce businesses, online sellers and retailers that need an organised accounting setup from the beginning.
Family-Run Companies
Businesses with family directors or shareholders that require a clear ownership and share structure.
Overseas Business Owners
Individuals based outside the UK who require guidance on the UK accounting responsibilities of a proposed company.
Before You Form a Limited Company
A limited company is not necessarily the most suitable structure for every business.
Before incorporating, it is important to consider the ongoing administrative responsibilities, the way money will be taken from the business and the cost of maintaining the company.
A private limited company is legally separate from its owners, but its directors remain responsible for ensuring that the company complies with its statutory duties.
- Expected business income and profit
- Responsibilities of company directors
- How money will be withdrawn
- Separation of company and personal funds
- Annual accounts and tax filings
- Payroll and dividend procedures
- Ownership and voting rights
- Potential VAT registration
- Employment of staff
- Ongoing accounting costs
Identity Verification
Companies House has introduced identity verification requirements for company directors and people with significant control.
The timing and procedure may depend on whether an individual is joining a new company or is already registered as a director or person with significant control.
We can help explain the information required as part of the formation process. The individual may need to complete identity verification personally or through an appropriately authorised service provider.
Company Formation FAQs
Answers to some common questions about setting up and operating a UK limited company.
How long does it take to form a UK limited company?
Processing time depends on Companies House and whether the application requires additional checks. Registration is not complete until the Certificate of Incorporation has been issued.
Do I need an accountant to form a limited company?
An accountant is not legally required simply to register a company. However, accounting guidance can help ensure that the initial structure is appropriate and that the directors understand their responsibilities.
Can I be the only director and shareholder?
Yes. A private limited company can normally have one individual who acts as both the sole director and sole shareholder.
Can I use my home address?
The company must provide a compliant registered office address. Some director and shareholder information is available on the public Companies House register, so privacy implications should be considered before using a residential address.
Does a new company need to register for Corporation Tax?
A company that begins carrying on business activity must ensure that its Corporation Tax position is correctly established with HMRC. A company that has not started trading may initially be dormant for Corporation Tax purposes.
Does every company need to register for VAT?
No. VAT registration depends on the company’s circumstances, business activities and taxable turnover. Voluntary registration may also be considered where appropriate.
Do I need to register the company for PAYE?
PAYE registration may be required if the company intends to pay salaries, including a salary to a company director.
Does a dormant company still have filing responsibilities?
Yes. Dormant companies generally still need to file accounts with Companies House and submit a confirmation statement.
What is a confirmation statement?
It is a submission confirming that the information held by Companies House about the company is correct and up to date. It must normally be submitted at least once every 12 months.
What records should a new company keep?
The company should keep appropriate records of sales, expenses, bank transactions, assets, liabilities, payroll, taxes, shares and other relevant company activities.
Can you provide support after the company is formed?
Yes. Ongoing support may include bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns, annual accounts, Corporation Tax and general accounting assistance.
Can you explain whether a limited company is suitable for me?
We can explain the main accounting and tax differences between common business structures and review their practical implications. The appropriate structure depends on your income, activities, plans and personal circumstances.
Set Up Your Limited Company on the Right Foundations
Get practical support with the formation process and a clear explanation of the accounting and tax responsibilities that follow.
Contact Lugira AccountingDisclaimer: The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Company formation support is based on the information provided by the client. Additional legal, regulatory, immigration or international tax advice may be required where a company has unusual ownership arrangements, regulated activities or directors and shareholders based outside the UK. Companies House registration fees and other third-party charges are separate unless specifically included in an agreed quotation.