ltd company registration

centralenforce · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 16:22

HI Group,

I need some business advice please. You guys know me as central enforcement agency. I also own and operate a successful mobile mechanic business in Birmingham covering all west midlands. I currently have 2 guys working for me. I have 3 business names for this business and we have been approached a couple of national companies for fleet servicing. This means I will have to set up a van and staff in different operating areas to cater for the demand. We feel that we may be better trading under one umbrella. I dont know whether to trade as ltd or a group. I need a company or person to help me on this matter, and if possible guide me. I know its £20 to reg at companys house and I can get the articles of memo from our law stationers.

Please please help.

Also note if I am currently attending cases for you. I had a few days of and I will reply to your emails in a while.

Thanks
simon

Kent Tiger · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by centralenforce

...... I dont know whether to trade as ltd or a group. I need a company or person to help me on this matter, and if possible guide me.

Your first port of call should be your accountant. A group is not normally reckoned to be cost effective below a certain size, because of the cost of the extra accountancy work that has to be done. There may well be tax implications also.

MikeH · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 12:05

Your decision to go LTD should be a financial one. It can save many businesses money by switching to LTD. However, this will depend on your personal circumstances. In general if the annual profit is around 30-40K or upwards then LTD can save you money.

You may want to get advice on this from an accountant or tax advisor.

If you do choose to go Limited then I would recommend using a formation agent (having sought advice first). Manually forming companies at Companies House takes about 2 weeks. The M&A that you buy may not be up to date with the Companies Act 2006 which updated this April. You will need to visit a solicitor. You may then need to buy a set of registers and share certificates. Its just a bit long winded really.

Please do not take this as an advert (well much of one anyay). There are lost of company formation agents, some great, some average. If you need any advice feel free to contact me.

Mike.

IP2 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 12:28

Bringing a solicitor or an account into the equation of forming a Limited company is in my mind usually a very expensive way of cracking an egg!

I am not totally clear at what you are unsure of Simon, sounds like operating under one company or trading name could make plenty of sense but as to how you structure it possible depends on what you are looking to achieve, for example is your concern the additional liabilities you will be taking on, or tax efficiency or the ability to bring in additional shareholders or partners in the future?

Logan · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2008, 07:36

Hi

I have a similar question in mind...

Need to VAT register my ltd company, di you know anyone who can take care of that for me?

I tried a few days ago,but the amount of the forms i need to complete really stressed me out!

Indizine · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2008, 07:47

VAT registration should be pretty simple, as is forming a Ltd company if it isnt anything complex with other shareholders etc. You could use an accountant for both but expect to pay a hefy price for what is essentially an hours job at most for both. The VAT reg form asks you questions that you should already be aware of.

I used westbury.co.uk (Made Simple Group) to form a Ltd Co. Basic service is £24.99 to set up and takes about 15 mins online if that. They email you everything pretty quickly. If you are going to register the Ltd name, perhaps you want to do this first so you can add the details on to the VAT form to save having to change it?