Startups and Company Formation
The decisions you make in your first few months are the cheapest ones to get right and the most expensive ones to unpick later.
We get you set up correctly from the start, with the right structure, the right registrations and systems that will still work when you are ten times the size.
What is included
Advice on structure: sole trader or limited company, and how to split shares if there is more than one of you
Company formation and Companies House registration
Registering for corporation tax, PAYE and VAT where relevant
Setting up your accounting software and chart of accounts, coded so your reports are useful from day one
Getting your record keeping and receipt process right before it becomes a mess
Explaining what you will owe, and when, so nothing arrives as a surprise
Advice on what you can claim, including costs incurred before the company existed
The things new founders most often get wrong
Leaving the share split until later. It is far easier to agree who owns what before there is anything to argue about.
Mixing personal and business money. Untangling a year of mixed transactions costs more than a business bank account ever would.
Ignoring VAT until forced to. For a food or drink brand with zero rated products, registering early can mean regular refunds rather than a cost.
Setting up software with default settings. If the coding is generic, your reports will be generic, and you will not be able to see product or channel profitability when you need to.
Who this is for
Founders launching a food, drink, consumer goods or ecommerce business, and anyone who has already started trading informally and wants to put it on a proper footing.
Why start with us
You will be working with a chartered accountant who has built and run a product business of her own, so the guidance covers the commercial reality as well as the compliance. Eight years in audit at Deloitte beforehand means the technical side is solid.
Plain speaking advice, no jargon, and you will always understand what your numbers are telling you.
Common questions
Should I be a sole trader or a limited company?
It depends on your expected profits, whether you need investment, and how much personal risk you want to carry. It is worth a proper conversation rather than a rule of thumb.
I have already formed my company. Can you still help?
Yes, and it is worth a review. Formation is quick to do and easy to do wrong.
Can I claim costs from before I incorporated?
Often yes, within limits. Keep every receipt from the beginning and we will work out what qualifies.
Next step
Book a free 30 minute consultation. Whether you have registered a company or are still deciding, this is the right point to talk.
Related: Bookkeeping and management accounts | VAT | Year end accounts and corporation tax
What happens on the call
We take time to understand exactly what you need
We give you a clear overview of how we can help
We answer any urgent questions you have, there and then