Registering a company creates a legal entity. It does not, by itself, establish a workable accounting system, settle how founders share decisions or complete every tax registration. Preparing those matters together makes setting up a limited company in the UK more manageable.
In this article
- Choose the proposed company details
- Confirm directors, owners and share structure
- Check current registration requirements
- Set up records after incorporation
This guide focuses on a straightforward private company limited by shares. Different structures, overseas ownership, unusual share rights and regulated activities can need additional advice. Start with the GOV.UK company formation guide to check that incorporation suits your business before submitting an application.
Agree the business arrangement before entering details
Write down who will own the company, who will manage it and what each person contributes. A shareholder owns shares; a director runs the company. The same person can hold both roles, but the responsibilities differ.
Decide how initial spending will be funded. Money introduced could represent subscribed share capital or a loan, with different records needed. Do not describe every founder payment as an expense without understanding what it pays for.
Where there are multiple founders, discuss decision rights, future investment, profit distribution and what happens if someone leaves. A standard incorporation form cannot resolve a disagreement about those matters. A solicitor may be needed for tailored articles or a shareholders' agreement.
Build a registration information pack
| Information | Practical preparation |
|---|---|
| Company name | Check availability and naming restrictions; consider trade marks separately |
| Registered office | Choose an appropriate address in the relevant UK jurisdiction and arrange reliable mail handling |
| Registered email | Use an address that the responsible people will monitor |
| Directors | Collect required details and arrange identity verification |
| Shareholders and shares | Confirm names, quantities, nominal values and rights |
| People with significant control | Assess ownership, voting and other control arrangements |
| Business activity | Select suitable SIC codes describing the planned activity |
| Governing documents | Decide whether model articles meet the agreed arrangement |
Check registered office and email requirements before choosing an address. Think about privacy before using a home address: information submitted to Companies House may become public. An address service needs to provide more than a convenient label; someone must actually deal with official correspondence.
Make identity verification part of the timetable
Companies House identity verification is now a legal requirement for relevant directors and people with significant control. For a new company, each director's Companies House personal code is required as part of the registration filing. The current identity verification guidance explains the requirements by role.
A person who is both a director and a PSC must supply verification details for both roles. Do not assume that entering a code during incorporation completes every PSC requirement. Check the specific PSC process and deadline.
The personal code is different from the company's authentication code. Keep both secure, clearly labelled and accessible only to people who need them. If an adviser offers to verify identities, confirm that they are a Companies House authorised agent for that work. Do not assume authorisation from an accountancy qualification alone.
Check the application as a complete document
Before submitting, compare the proposed shareholdings against the founders' agreement. Check spellings, dates and addresses with each person. Review the statement of capital and the nature of control recorded for each PSC.
Give one person responsibility for collecting final approval. Keep a copy of the submitted information, incorporation certificate, memorandum and articles in a company folder. The official registration service explains available routes and what happens after registration.
Avoid treating a successful registration as evidence that every commercial arrangement has been reviewed. Companies House acceptance does not confirm that a particular share structure is suitable for your tax position or that a contract protects your interests.
Plan the first month after incorporation
Separate company finances from personal money. Arrange suitable banking, accounting software and an evidence collection process. Record subscriptions, founder loans and pre-trading purchases with supporting documents so the opening balances can be checked.
Confirm the trading start date and Corporation Tax position. Online incorporation usually sets up Corporation Tax at the same time, except for dormant companies, but you should still check the business tax account and required follow-up. Review whether VAT, employer PAYE or other registrations apply rather than assuming they are automatic.
Create a calendar for accounts, tax and confirmation statements. Agree who monitors post and emails, supplies bookkeeping records and approves filings. Maintain the register of members and retain the documents supporting ownership decisions.
An illustrative setup
Two designers plan to start a company together. One provides equipment and both introduce cash. Before registering, they agree share ownership and ask for advice on how the equipment will transfer. They also document founder loans separately from shares.
After incorporation, they open company banking and log expenses from the first trading day. Their checklist assigns one founder to official correspondence and the other to invoice collection. This avoids a common problem: each assuming the other has dealt with the tax account.
Discuss the scope of support
For an enquiry, gather the proposed structure, founders' details, expected trading start and any existing business assets. Ask which registration, record preparation and ongoing administration tasks are included, and which require legal or specialist tax input.
Explore EPOS Accountancy company secretarial support, with provision subject to agreed scope, and pricing information. A useful next step is a clear responsibility list before the application is filed.