Other Company FAQ's

Limited companies must display their company name, number and place of registration on all official company documents.

If your accounts are delivered late, there is an automatic penalty. This is between £150 and £1,500 for a private company and between £750 and £7,500 for a PLC.

If for any reason you no longer need your company then it is possible to strike-off (dissolve) your company.

Companies House are very strict on the annual return of company accounts, they will however consider extending your time under exceptional circumstances. Any request for more time must be supported with a letter detailing the precise reasons why you have failed to return the documents in the allotted time.

The best way to avoid a penalty is to file your accounts correctly and on time. If you are issued with a penalty you can appeal the penalty if you have sufficient reason.

When a company is registered a unique number is issued to the company by Companies House. These numbers are issued sequentially and increase as more companies are added to the register. It is not possible to change the registered number for a company.

Yes, of course. We have a team of advisors that are willing to assist with all enquiries.

SFS are pleased to refer customers to one of our partner banks. For UK based company directors we can refer you to one of the high street banks for a fast account application.

The accounting reference date is the date in each year to which accounts will be drawn up. The date depends on the date of incorporation as it is the last day of the month in which the anniversary of incorporation falls.

If a company has registered a name with Companies House that you deem to be 'too similar' to your company name then you need to write to The Secretary of State for Trade & Industry at Companies House in Cardiff or Edinburgh.

The first accounts of a private company must be delivered: within 9 months of the end of the accounting reference period; or if the accounting reference period is more than 12 months, within 21 months of the date of incorporation, or three months from the end of the accounting reference period, whichever is longer.

You are ready to open a bank account anywhere you wish.

This document sets out the rules for the internal running of the company

Under the Companies Act 1985, unless you trade in your own name, the company name must be displayed and be clearly legible on all stationery and publications.

Private companies that have not traded or otherwise carried on business for at least three months may apply to the Registrar to be struck off the register.

Companies House act as the company registrar for all limited companies in the UK.

Following the introduction of the Finance Bill 2003 there is now an obligation to notify the Inland Revenue of any reportable events using Form 42 relating to the transfer or issue of securities (shares in your company).

Companies are issued with an accounting reference date. This is the company’s financial year end date when the company will need to prepare its accounts to every year.

What is the Annual return? - Information about Annual Returns Every company must deliver an Annual Return to Companies House at least once every 12 months. It has 28 days from the date to which the return is made up to do this. The Annual Return is a 'snap shot' of your company's details at a particular time.

The Companies Act is the law that governs limited companies in the UK.

Limited by Shares companies are typically businesses run for profit. Limited by Guarantee companies are normally charities, clubs, and not for profit organisations.

Every company must prepare annual accounts that report on the performance and activities of the company during the year. The period reported on in the accounts is called the financial year.

Companies House can provide a useful set of company booklets.

Your Accountant is probably your best source together with the HM Revenue & Customs online services.

Where can I obtain vat (value added tax) information? Your Accountant is probably your best source of information together with HM Revenue & Customs (the UK tax authority). You can apply for VAT on their website at no cost. HMRC publish a number of helpful information pages available from www.hmrc.gov.uk

Every company must display its company name on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried on - even if it is a director's home. The name must be clearly displayed and it must be both conspicuous and legible. We can provide Brass name plates for this purpose which is a popular method of displaying your name.