Company Formation for UK Limited Companies
Company formation for UK limited companies creates ongoing Companies House and HMRC duties from day one. We handle incorporation filing in plain English and coordinate initial corporation tax registration steps. Sterling Crest does not act as your director, secretary or nominee.
Sterling Crest Accountants provides this service remotely to clients across the United Kingdom as an online UK accountant. Consultations are by phone or video call. The Leeds address is the registered office and is not a walk-in office.
About company formation
Company formation means registering a private company limited by shares at Companies House with chosen name, registered office, directors, share structure and persons with significant control.
We prepare memorandum and articles using standard templates suitable for most owner managed companies unless you supply bespoke articles from a solicitor. Share classes and allotments are recorded as you instruct.
PSC registers must identify individuals or relevant legal entities with significant control. We file initial PSC entries with the incorporation where information is complete.
After incorporation we outline corporation tax registration expectations with HMRC and can coordinate bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and confirmation statement services when you engage them.
Who this service is for
- First time founders incorporating a trading company
- Contractors considering a limited company structure
- Property investors forming a new SPV
- Existing sole traders forming a company
- Parents or partners setting up a family company
- Startups using our startup support package
Common challenges
- Confusion about director duties at Companies House
- Share split disagreements before incorporation
- PSC details incomplete causing filing delays
- Belief that formation ends all compliance forever
- Mixing formation with secretarial services unclearly
- Expectation that accountant will act as director
What is included
- Company name availability check guidance
- Companies House incorporation submission
- Standard articles unless solicitor articles supplied
- Initial director and secretary appointments as you instruct
- Share capital structure recorded at incorporation
- Initial PSC register entries filed
- Certificate of incorporation collection
- Authentication codes guidance for Companies House online
- Outline steps for corporation tax registration with HMRC
- Handover note for next compliance services
- Plain English summary of immediate post incorporation tasks
How the service works
- 1.Discuss structure, shareholders and activities
- 2.Collect ID and address details required for officers and PSCs
- 3.Prepare incorporation forms for your review
- 4.Submit to Companies House after signed instructions
- 5.Provide incorporation documents electronically
- 6.Agree which follow on services start and when
Documents normally required
- Proposed company name and activity description
- Director and PSC identity and address details
- Shareholder names and share allocations
- Registered office address confirmation
- Solicitor articles if not using standard templates
- Anti money laundering information as required by law
UK compliance information
- Sterling Crest is not appointed as director, company secretary or nominee shareholder.
- Registered office at our Leeds address is only if separately agreed in writing.
- Bank account opening and business insurance remain your tasks.
- Trading before incorporation needs separate legal advice we do not provide.
Key deadlines
Incorporation can complete within a few working days once forms are approved. Corporation tax registration has HMRC deadlines after trading starts. Confirm on GOV.UK.
Confirm official dates and rules on GOV.UK. Rules and thresholds can change.
What this work helps you maintain
- Companies House filing handled with clear officer instructions
- PSC and share structure documented at start
- Separation between formation and ongoing secretarial work
- Path into bookkeeping, VAT and payroll when you choose
- Remote incorporation for founders across the UK
Related services
- Company SecretarialCompanies House filings for officer changes, share capital updates, registers and PSC maintenance.
- Confirmation StatementsAnnual confirmation statement preparation, review and Companies House filing after director approval.
- Corporation TaxCorporation tax computations, CT600 filing and capital allowances for UK limited companies.
- BookkeepingStructured bookkeeping to keep sales, purchases, bank and cash records accurate and ready for VAT, payroll and year end reporting.
- Annual AccountsStatutory annual accounts for UK limited companies, prepared for Companies House filing and corporation tax support.
- PayrollPAYE payroll processing, RTI submissions, payslips and year end forms for UK employers.
Frequently asked questions
No. Directors are people you appoint. We file forms based on your instructions only.
We coordinate routine registration steps. Ongoing corporation tax return work is a separate service.
Yes if you provide the address and consent. Our Leeds office is only with a separate address service agreement.
Formation is a distinct project. Ongoing secretarial is company secretarial service if you want it.
Discuss company formation with Sterling Crest
Book a free consultation or send an enquiry. Scope and fees are confirmed in writing before any engagement begins.
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