[tomgallard]

My accountant did the company registration free for me. I'd caution against doing it yourself unless you know exactly what you are doing.

This is because, although the company creation itself is pretty simple, there are lots of legal requirements that you need to get right, and plenty of details you want to get right first time.

Just as one quick example- if you've been operating as a sole-trader, you'll probably find that there's a significant tax saving to be made by selling the goodwill and any other assets of the sole-trader to the Ltd Company. If you've been going a couple of years, this is likely to save you thousands in tax.

I don't believe its realistic for a trading Ltd company to deal with its tax affairs and annual accounts without an accountant (you may think you know what you're doing- but if you make a mistake, be aware that HMRC will be not be lenient on you just because you're not an accountant).

[auxbuss]

Frankly, that's silly.

It costs £18 to register a company online directly. You will be sent all the appropriate forms and documentation in the post/mail. If you are at all concerned, simply fill in the form that declares the company as dormant until you are ready to trade.

That's all you need to do.

Once you trade, then there are a few things to take into account. However, at that point you are a director, and the folk you deal with at HMRC are a whole different bunch to the folk you deal with as a "mere" employee. They will be informed, and bend over backwards to assist you.

Contrary to your belief, trading as a limited company without an accountant is easily accomplished. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it, since an accountant can usually pay for himself in the saving he brings. But that doesn't negate the fact that it can be done without too much pain.

[tomgallard]

I'm sorry- I think you're wrong on this, and your advice is potentially quite dangerous.

If you're going to register a dormant company, then yes, fair enough, do it yourself.

However, if you're trading it is not easily accomplished. As a Sole Trader- yes, its simple to do.

However, anyone who claims they can produce a full set of accounts, compliant with UK accounting standards to the filling in of your CT600 and filing of accounts with Companies House is likely kidding themselves.

Yes- you may think you're doing it right, but you're not going to know until 5 years down the line HMRC open an investigation into your company and set someone who knows what they're doing onto your records.

Are you willing to take that risk with your business- cos I'm definitely not!

Yes HMRC are helpful, but they're not going to produce your accounts for you.