Set Up A Company

Choosing a name for your small business
When starting up a new business, one of the first things you need to do is choose a suitable name for your enterprise. [August 17, 2010] [In Company Guides]

Top 10 tips for choosing an accountant
Of all the advisers you are likely to encounter when running a small business, a good accountant is perhaps the most valuable one to have. Our Top 10 tips for choosing an accountant. [February 2, 2010] [In Company Guides]

Can anyone become a limited company director?
All private companies must have at least one company director - but are there any legal restrictions on who can fill this position? [October 19, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Limited companies - what is a registered office?
By law, every company in the UK must have a registered office - this is a physical address in the UK where the company can receive documents from Companies House and other organisations. [October 15, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Limited companies - what are dividend vouchers?
If you run a limited company, you can distribute any profits you make via dividends to your shareholders. But how do you keep a record of dividend distributions? [October 13, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Guide to the key Companies House forms used by ltd companies
If you are running a limited company, chances are you may need to change your address, personnel or the company share structure. How do you report these changes to Companies House? [October 6, 2009] [In Company Guides]

What is the Annual Return - Form AR01 (formerly Form 363a)?
All companies in the UK must submit an annual return form to Companies House each year. Form AR01 provides a snapshot of general information about your company, including details of key personnel, the registered office, share capital and shareholdings. [October 6, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Companies Act 2006 - Form changes from 1st October 2009
The Companies Act 2006 comes fully into force on 1st October 2009. One of the most visible changes which will take place is in the way limited companies interact with Companies House, as all the forms company directors are familiar with are set to change format. [September 25, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Limited company directors to provide 'service addresses' to Companies House
A number of Companies Act changes come into play on 1st October 2009. One of the more significant changes is to allow limited company directors to keep their residential address confidential by providing a business or 'service' address for display on the public register. [September 14, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Companies Act - New rules for limited company directors from 1st October 2009
Limited company owners should be aware of the latest raft of Companies Act changes, which take effect from 1st October 2009. [September 7, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Companies Act 2006 – impact on limited company constitutional documents
This article explains the main alterations and steps limited company owners need to take to make sure they comply with the 2006 Companies Act in respect of the Memorandum and Articles. [August 21, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Limited company annual accounts - when are they due?
Every limited company must submit their accounts to Companies House each financial year as well as HMRC. How the process works, and how to work out the deadlines for your company. [August 10, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Set up a limited company - business guide
An overview of how to set up a UK limited company for your new business. Includes how to incorporate, types of limited company and responsibilities of company personnel. Includes online company formation function. [August 3, 2009] [In Company Guides]

How to choose a name for your small business
Choosing a name for your small business is an important process for any company owner. Whether you are choosing a trading name or a limited company name, there are several things your should bear in mind before taking the plunge. [June 24, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Setting up as a sole trader
An overview of setting up business as a sole trader compared to the limited company route, including taxation and other considerations of starting up as a sole trader. [June 12, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Rules you must follow when naming your limited company
If you are thinking of setting up a limited company, you should think carefully when choosing your company name. Alongside the business reasons for choosing an appropriate name, there are also a number of company naming rules you should be aware of. [June 3, 2009] [In Company Guides]

5 things you must do when you go self-employed
The beauty of being self-employed is how quickly you can get set up and in business. Here are five essential things you must do when setting up on your own. [May 20, 2009] [In Company Guides]

What are limited company dividends?
The post-tax profits of a limited company can be distributed to its shareholders in the form of dividends. The article explains how dividends are administered, and how dividends are taxed. [March 30, 2009] [In Company Guides]

What is Companies House? - Guide for directors
When setting up and running a company, you will have regular involvement with Companies House. We look at the main functions of Companies House and what obligations limited companies have. [March 3, 2009] [In Company Guides]

What is a sole trader?
There are around 2.8 million sole traders in the UK. It is the most popular, and simplest, way of setting up in business. We take a look at the key things you need to know about becoming a sole trader, and whether it is the right business structure for you. [February 25, 2009] [In Company Guides]

What is a limited company?
Many small businesses operate via limited liability companies. How a limited company works, what it means for you as a business owner, and how it differs from the sole trader structure. [February 23, 2009] [In Company Guides]

New penalties apply if you submit your company accounts late
HMRC has bumped up the size of penalties payable by companies who fail to deliver their accounts to Companies House by their due date. The new regime took effect from 1st February 2009. [February 3, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Responsibilities and duties of a limited company director
If you have set up in business via a limited company, there are a number of duties you will have - as well as legal and financial responsibilities - if you are a director of the company. This article provides an overview of what to expect as a company director. [January 13, 2009] [In Company Guides]

Tips you should consider before becoming self employed
A leading accountancy body says that potential entrepreneurs should be aware of all the facts before becoming self employed. This article contains some useful general and tax tips to help new business owners make the jump successfully. [October 27, 2008] [In Company Guides]

Business partnerships - have you got a written agreement?
The owners and partners in most small and medium-sized businesses in the UK have no legal protection against a partnership bust-up. Download a free SME "pre-nup" which will form the basis of a business partnership agreement. [July 15, 2008] [In Company Guides]

What is a dormant limited company?
A dormant company is one that doesn’t trade and has no accounting transactions. Why you might need a dormant company, and what administrative duties are involved. [July 7, 2008] [In Company Guides]

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