UK Limited Company Formation
Forming a limited company creates a separate legal entity with its own Companies House and HMRC obligations from the date of incorporation. Sterling Crest Accountants prepares and submits the incorporation to Companies House using the details you provide, explains the identity verification and information requirements, and sets out what needs to happen with HMRC once the company exists. Sterling Crest does not act as your director, secretary or nominee.
Sterling Crest Accountants provides this service to clients throughout the United Kingdom. Consultations are arranged in advance by telephone or online meeting. Our registered office is in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
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. Companies House identity verification now applies to directors and people with significant control, and we explain what each person needs to do before the application is submitted.
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
- Business owners forming a second company for a new activity
- Existing sole traders forming a company
- Parents or partners setting up a family company
- Start-ups using our Start-up Support service
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.
- Bank account opening and business insurance remain your tasks.
- Trading before incorporation needs separate legal advice we do not provide.
Key deadlines
Incorporation usually completes within a few working days once the information is complete and approved. After incorporation, a company must register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to do business, and its first accounts and confirmation statement dates follow from the incorporation date.
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
- Post incorporation HMRC steps set out in writing
Related services
- Start-up SupportAccounting and compliance set up for new businesses, coordinating company formation, bookkeeping, software, VAT, payroll, Corporation Tax and first year accounts.
- HMRC RegistrationsRegistration with HMRC for Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, PAYE, VAT and CIS, so each tax is set up correctly and on time.
- Company SecretarialCompanies House filings for officer changes, share capital updates, registers and PSC maintenance.
- Confirmation Statement (Annual Return)Confirmation statement (CS01) review and Companies House filing, formerly known as the annual return, after director approval.
- Corporation TaxCorporation Tax Return preparation for UK limited companies, including the relevant tax computation and CT600 submission to HMRC based on the company's accounts and tax records.
- BookkeepingStructured bookkeeping for sales, purchases, bank transactions and business records, helping maintain accurate financial information for VAT, payroll, accounts and tax reporting.
- Company AccountsStatutory accounts for UK limited companies, prepared for Companies House and company members, with clear year-end financial information and support throughout the accounts preparation process.
- PayrollPAYE payroll processing for UK employers, including RTI submissions to HMRC, payslips, statutory payments, pension deductions and year end forms.
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. The registered office must be an appropriate address in the same UK jurisdiction where the company is registered, and it will appear on the public register. You provide the address you want to use and we include it in the application.
Formation is a distinct project. Ongoing secretarial is company secretarial service if you want it.
It depends on expected profits, how you want to take income, liability, administration and your plans for the business. A company brings more filing obligations. We can compare both routes with your figures before you decide.
The company must register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to do business. It may also need to register for PAYE if it pays salaries, and for VAT if turnover goes over the threshold. We set out these steps when the company is formed.
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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