Business Incorporation of Limited Companies

Incorporation is when a new or existing business, registers as a limited company. A business is a legal entity which has a separate entity from those who run or own it. Most companies are limited liability companies which means the liability of the members is limited by shares or, by guarantee.

A business cannot operate as a limited company until it has been incorporated at Companies House. This must be done under the Companies Act 2006. Doing this means the company directors are required to file documents each year such as annual accounts and a confirmation statement.

At Cooper Accounting, we can assist if you are looking to incorporate your company as a limited company and support in this process.

Who can incorporate a company?

To form a company, one or more persons need to subscribe their names to a memorandum of association. In law, a ‘person’ includes individuals, companies and other bodies. When the memorandum is completed, the subscribers confirm their agreement to form a company.

Children under 16 in law don’t have the legal capacity to enter into such a contract. The registrar won’t normally accept an application for incorporation if they are aware that the subscribers are under the age of 16.

How to incorporate a private limited company?

In the UK, to incorporate a company, you need to start an application with Companies House. This is the official registrar of companies, appointment by the UK government. No other organisation can register the same business name in the United Kingdom.

There are several steps to take in order to incorporate a company. These include:

  • Check that setting up a limited company is right for you
  • Choose a name
  • Choose your directors and a company secretary and identify people with significant control of your company (PSC)
  • Prepare documents agreeing how to run your company
  • Check what records you’ll need to keep
  • Register your company

The types of company

The four types of company are:

  1. ) Private company limited by shares: This company has a share capital and the liability of each member is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on their shares. A private company cannot offer its shares for sale to the general public.
  2. Private company limited by guarantee: This company does not have a share capital and its members are guarantors, not The members’ liability is limited to the amount they agree to contribute to the company’s assets if it is wound up.
  3. Private unlimited company: An unlimited company may or,may not have a share capital but there is no limit to the members’ liability.
  4. Public limited company: A public company has a share capital and limits the liability of each member to the amount unpaid on their shares. It may offer its shares for sale to the general public and may be quoted on the stock exchange.

Our support

We appreciate that incorporating your company can seem overwhelming. With lots of information online, it quickly becomes confusing to know what to do. But, don’t worry, that’s where we are here to help.

We can help you incorporate your company so you don’t need to. If you would like support, please get in touch today for more information.

Cooper Accounting limited company accounts
Why choose Cooper Accounting?

  • Great customer service

  • Understanding of your business needs

  • A personalised and approachable service

  • Local office to service West Yorkshire Businesses and beyond

  • Performs quickly and efficiently to meet tight deadlines

  • Genuine desire to help your business grow

  • Patience and understanding

  • Self Assessment Tax Returns

    For sole traders & partnerships looking to complete and submit their self assessment. I can also submit your assessment on your behalf.

  • Bookkeeping For Businesses

    Whether you are looking for a better solution than hiring by having a qualified bookkeeper handle your day to day record keeping and reporting, or if you require a one-off task, I can provide a quality service quickly and correctly.

  • CIS Refunds

    A quick and easy way for you to have your CIS Tax Return prepared, and refunded at a very low cost. I can help construction workers get tax back from HMRC quickly, efficiently and professionally.

  • VAT Returns

    I have a wealth of experience with preparation and submission of VAT returns. Claiming back the VAT on all of your allowable expenses can make a huge difference to your business.

  • Limited Company Accounts

    Your limited company accounts and tax returns will be prepared claiming all the available allowances to minimise your tax liability.

  • Payroll (P.A.Y.E)

    All aspects of payroll such as submitting accurate Pay As You Earn (PAYE), payrolling benefits in kind, setting up attachment of earnings orders and automatic enrolment into workplace pensions.

  • Business Start-up Advice

    Knowing where to start is sometimes the hardest thing. I am happy to ‘hold your hand’ through the initial business set up advising you what legal duties are required for each business type.

  • Credit Control

    Managing cash-flow can be a breaker for many businesses. So it is important to get all of your outstanding invoices paid to you as fast as possible. I can create a plan to reduce the figure on the debtors list.

  • Software Training

    Do your own bookkeeping? As a certified accounting software trainer, I am happy to show you the ropes on how to manage your own accounts using software such as Xero, Sage, Quickbooks or even if you are just using spreadsheets.

Some of our happy clients

Last year my accountant gave up and I tried to do my accounts myself and had left it quite late near to the deadline. Got myself in a mess then (Samantha Stokes) at Cooper Accounting came to my rescue. She did everything in messenger for me. She was very professional and has taken me on as a client.

Linda S

Sometimes things are just meant to be. Someone you had employed for 20 years gives two weeks notice, leaves the books in a mess, way behind with booking out invoices, VAT quarter due, Payroll and PAYE to sort out. Desperate for a bookkeeper AND THEN I was recommended Samantha Stokes at Cooper Accounting…WHAT A FIND!! Invoices now being sent out, money coming in quicker, old debt being chased, taxman being sorted out. Every business should have a Samantha Stokes!

Tony J

I had some accounting that needed doing ASAP and thanks to you guys it was completed on time. Amazing service and no hassle. Thanks so much for your help. Well worth every penny.

Terry Q

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