Forming a Limited Company:The ChecklistProduced By Wisteria Formations-Company Incorporation Experts

1. Choosing a company nameThe first thing to decide is what you are going to call your new company.

Once you have decided there are a few things you should check...

Is the name available? This can be done via the Companies House websiteMY COMPANY

Is the URL of your name available?

Does someone already have a trademark on the name or logo you want to use?If they do you may not be able to use it

2. Company name restrictionsWhen you’re sure that the name is free you may want to check it against the list of sensitive words at Companies House that may notbe allowed.

These include...FoundationassociationCharteredinstituteBritishinternationalPost OfficefundbenevolentRoyalGroup

3. Registered OfficeThis can be your home address or business address, or you can use a company that is offering a registered office service.

As registered company addresses are made publicly available it might be prudent to avoid using your home address...Or you could find customers and creditors at your front door on a Sunday morning.

To protect your privacy at home you may wish to nominate the address of your company formation agent or accountant.

4. Company Directors and Secretary You’ve probably already decided who will be running the company. This person will normally become the director. Each director should be made aware of the legal responsibilities placed on them.

Have you considered whether or not to have a company secretary?

By law a private limited company need not appoint a company secretary. A director can carry out the responsibilities instead.

However, the role of company secretary is very important. They deal with the administration of the company and ensure that the relevant documents are filed with Companies House on time.

By having an individual or agent as your company secretary you can be sure that your secretarial needs are going to be correctly fulfilled and that you won’t incur any fines for submitting forms late.

5. SharesYou need to decide who your shareholders are going to be and how many shares you are going to issue.

5. How will you form your company?After deciding on all of the basic information about your company you now have three options when deciding how to incorporate it...

Do It YourselfThe cheapest option, but it can be difficult to know which forms to complete or where to get the memorandum and articles of association from.

Use a company formation agentUsing an agent is relatively inexpensive (around £25 - £75) and they will deal with all of the forms and documentation on your behalf.

Using a solicitor or accountantMuch easier than doing it yourself, but by far the most expensive option

7. FormationNow you’re ready to form your company!

8. After FormationOnce your company is formed you may want to consider...

-Appoint bankers and accountants-Registering for VAT-Registering for PAYE-Business planning-Putting processes in place

Wisteria Formations can help with every aspect of company incorporationWisteria Formations Limitedwww.wisteriaformations.co.ukProfessional company formation service from £24.99