Set up a limited company correctly.
Structure advice, Companies House formation, HMRC registrations, SIC code, registered office, and first-year compliance under Compliance Vault™.
Most companies are formed by software in 15 minutes and discover their structural mistakes 18 months later. We form companies with a 20-minute structure conversation first, set them up correctly, and run the first year under Compliance Vault™.
Direct answer
To set up a limited company in the UK, you choose the company type, appoint directors and shareholders, identify people with significant control, prepare company documents, choose a registered office address and SIC code, then register with Companies House and set up tax registrations. RR Accountants handles the formation around the accounting structure, so Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE, records, and first-year deadlines are not left as afterthoughts.
Reviewed by Iftikhar ur Rashid, FCCA. General information, not personal tax advice.
Is this for you?
- Sole traders incorporating a limited company
- Landlords forming an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) for property
- Contractors moving from umbrella to PSC
- Founders forming a group structure for trading + holding company
- Director-shareholders splitting roles for tax-efficient extraction
- Business owners who want SIC code, registered office, tax registrations, and first-year deadlines set up together
What's included.
Structure advice
Sole trader vs Ltd vs SPV vs group structure — recommended for your situation.
Companies House formation
Incorporation with appropriate share class and SIC code.
Registered office setup
Choose a proper registered office and director service address from day one.
HMRC registrations
Corporation tax, VAT (if needed), PAYE (if needed), CIS (if applicable).
Statutory registers
Director, shareholder, PSC, and statutory register set up.
Bank account guidance
Recommended banks for limited companies, with intro letters where helpful.
First-year Compliance Vault™
Onboarded into Compliance Vault™ from incorporation. Records year-round.
First filing calendar
Confirmation statement, first accounts, CT600, and payroll/VAT dates set into Deadline Lock.
The system that turns this service into a year-round process.
Compliance Vault™ runs from day one. Evidence Pack captures formation docs, share certificates, and director KYC. Deadline Lock tracks first confirmation statement (12 months) and first accounts (21 months from incorporation). Portfolio Reporting Pack begins monthly from month one.
Read more about Compliance Vault™Documented in your engagement letter. Reviewed annually.
- WhatsApp typically under 30 min
- Email within 1 working day
- Monthly close by the 7th
- Phone manned reception, typically within 10 min
Three steps. No back-and-forth.
Step 01: 20-minute call
We confirm fit and walk through how this service would work for your business.
Step 02: Engagement and onboarding
Engagement letter, Direct Debit, and Compliance Vault™ setup — typically within 24 hours.
Step 03: Year-round delivery
Monthly numbers, tracked deadlines, advisory raised — and an Annual Compliance Review every 12 months.
Every client. Every year.
Every RR client is reviewed annually to keep engagement terms, KYC records, service scope, and payment arrangements current. It is the mechanism that turns company formation from a filing task into a maintained standard.
Read more about the Annual Compliance ReviewLetter of Engagement
KYC / AML records
Service scope
Payment arrangement
Company formation fees depend on structure, registrations, and first-year compliance scope.
A specific fee is agreed in writing after your 20-minute call. No hourly billing. No surprise charges. No add-on tiers.
What you get from us that you don't get elsewhere.
Structure conversation first
20-minute call confirms the right structure before we form. Most online formers skip this.
All registrations handled
CT, VAT, PAYE, CIS — registered as needed. Not a 'go and do it yourself' list.
First-year compliance included
Compliance Vault™ from incorporation. Records year-round, deadlines tracked, advisory raised.
No off-the-shelf shells
Every formation is matched to your structure and intent. No pre-formed shelf companies.
Set up a limited company correctly — common questions.
Should I form a limited company or stay as a sole trader?
Depends on your situation. As a general guide: profits above ~£40,000–£50,000, plans to scale, multiple income streams, or property investment usually favour a limited company. Below that, sole trader simplicity often wins. We confirm this in the 20-minute call against your specific situation.
What do I need to set up a limited company?
You need a company name, directors, shareholders or guarantors, people with significant control details, a registered office address, a registered email address, articles of association, share structure, and at least one SIC code. You also need to think about Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE, records, and the first filing deadlines.
What's an SPV?
A Special Purpose Vehicle is a limited company set up specifically to hold property. It's a common structure for buy-to-let portfolios because Section 24 (mortgage interest restriction) doesn't apply in the same way as for personal-name landlords. We form SPVs and handle all SDLT, share structure, and finance considerations.
Do I need a separate registered office?
Not strictly — you can use your home address. But many directors prefer a separate registered office for privacy (your home address won't appear on Companies House) and credibility. We offer a registered office service at our offices — see the Virtual Address page.
How long does formation take?
Companies House formation is typically same-day. HMRC registrations (CT, VAT, PAYE) take longer — typically 5–15 working days. Bank account opening is the slowest step (1–4 weeks). Full first-year Compliance Vault™ setup completes within 30 days of formation.
What does company formation cost?
A one-off formation fee covers Companies House, statutory registers, and HMRC registrations. Ongoing Compliance Vault™ support is scoped separately. We quote the formation fee after the 20-minute call once we've confirmed structure. No off-the-shelf shells.
Often handled together.
Before you book, check whether this is the right type of firm for you.
Good fit
- You want compliance handled before deadlines become urgent.
- You want advice based on clean records, not January guesswork.
- You value published response standards and a named accountant.
Not the right fit
- You want the cheapest filing-only option.
- You want grey-area schemes or aggressive tax positions.
- You regularly send records late and still expect rush filing.
Book a 20-minute call.
We'll confirm whether we're a fit, and if we are, we'll tell you exactly what company formation would look like for your business.