Services
Company formation and company secretarial
Setting up the company correctly the first time, then keeping the public register accurate: confirmation statements, director and shareholder changes, share transfers and the new identity verification rules.
In short
A private limited company can usually be incorporated online within 24 hours. From 1 February 2026 the Companies House fee for digital incorporation is £100 and the annual confirmation statement costs £50. Since 18 November 2025, every new director and person with significant control must verify their identity.
Forming a company
- Advice on whether a limited company is right for you at all, compared with trading as a sole trader.
- Company name checks, SIC codes, and articles of association.
- A share structure that fits your plans, including separate share classes where different shareholders need different dividend rights.
- A registered office address and a registered email address, both required since March 2024.
- Identity verification for each director and person with significant control (PSC) before incorporation.
- Registration for corporation tax, PAYE and VAT as needed.
Keeping the register accurate
- The annual confirmation statement, filed within 14 days of the review date.
- Appointments and resignations of directors, and changes to PSCs, filed within 14 days.
- Share allotments, share transfers and stock transfer forms, including any stamp duty due.
- Changes of registered office, company name or accounting reference date.
- Statutory registers and board minutes, including dividend resolutions.
Identity verification
Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has been a legal requirement for new directors and PSCs. Existing directors must verify and give their personal code with the company's next confirmation statement during the transition period, which ends in November 2026. Our identity verification guide explains the steps.
Registered with care
What goes on the public register is permanent and searchable. Before any filing, we check home addresses are not exposed where a service address could be used. We also make sure what is filed matches the company's own records.
Common questions
Questions we are often asked
An online incorporation is usually completed by Companies House within 24 hours, once every director and PSC has verified their identity. Allow extra time for choosing a name, share structure and bank account.
From 1 February 2026, the Companies House fee for a confirmation statement filed online is £50. It must be filed at least once a year, within 14 days of the review date.
Yes. Since 18 November 2025, new directors and PSCs must verify their identity with Companies House. Existing directors must verify and provide their personal code with the company's next confirmation statement during the transition period ending in November 2026.
It depends on profit levels, how much you need to draw, liability and administration. A company offers limited liability and flexibility on how profits are taken, but costs more to run. We can model both for your figures.
Contact
Bring us last year's accounts and we'll tell you what we'd change.
An initial conversation takes half an hour and costs nothing. If we are not the right practice for you, we will say so.