Start your limited company the right way.
Forming a limited company is straightforward, but the decisions you make at formation - share structure, SIC codes, accounting reference date - are harder to undo later. We guide you through the process and make sure you start correctly.
What's included
- Companies House incorporation (usually same or next working day)
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Share structure advice and setup
- Accounting reference date choice (affects your first accounts deadline)
- HMRC Corporation Tax registration
- PAYE scheme setup (if paying a salary)
- VAT registration advice and setup (if applicable)
- Director and shareholder appointment documentation
- First-year obligations checklist - so nothing gets missed
Who it's for
Anyone starting a new business who wants to trade as a limited company rather than a sole trader. Also suitable for existing sole traders wanting to incorporate - we can advise on timing, the tax implications, and how to do it cleanly.
Frequently asked questions
Companies House typically processes incorporation within a few hours via the digital route. You'll receive your certificate of incorporation the same day or the next working day. HMRC registrations (PAYE, VAT, CT) take a little longer - usually 1–2 weeks for PAYE and a few weeks for VAT.
It depends on your profit level, risk exposure, and future plans. A limited company offers limited liability and can be more tax-efficient above roughly £30,000–£40,000 in profits. However, it comes with more admin obligations. We can run through the numbers for your situation on a discovery call.
The SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code describes your business activity. It's used by Companies House for statistical purposes and doesn't significantly affect your tax position, but choosing an accurate one is good practice. We'll advise on the right code for your business.
The accounting reference date (ARD) is the end of your financial year. By default it's set to the last day of the month in which you incorporated. Changing it affects when your first accounts and tax return are due, and can affect the amount of tax you pay in your first year. We'll discuss the options with you.
Ready to get your accounting sorted?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. No obligation - we'll explain exactly what we'd do for you and what it costs.