COMPANY & LLP FORMATION SERVICES
Choose the structure first. Register it properly second.
We help founders organise the information needed to form a UK private limited company or limited liability partnership, understand the immediate responsibilities and connect the new entity to the accounting setup it will need after incorporation.
FOUNDERSWho will own or control the entity?
ACTIVITYWhat will the business actually do?
STRUCTUREShares, members and decision rights
Formation readiness file
PRE-INCORPORATION REVIEW
✓
Proposed name reviewedAvailability and restricted wording considered
✓
People and roles identifiedDirectors, shareholders, members and PSC information
3
Addresses and email confirmedRegistered office and official contact details
4
Identity-verification routePersonal codes and filing responsibilities checked
5
Accounting setup after formationRecords, tax registrations and first deadlines
BEFORE SUBMISSION
The public-register information should be checked carefully.
AFTER INCORPORATION
The certificate starts the company—not the finance process.
01Structure review
Understand the practical differences before filing.
02Formation information
Prepare names, people, addresses and control details.
03Incorporation support
Submit the agreed application through the appropriate route.
04Post-formation setup
Connect records, tax and recurring filing responsibilities.
FORMATION IS A STARTING POINT
Registration creates an entity. It does not create a working finance system.
A certificate of incorporation confirms that the entity exists. The founders still need to understand ownership, responsibilities, public-register information, record keeping, banking, invoicing and the first accounting and tax actions.
Our formation process therefore separates the legal registration information from the accounting setup that follows. Where legal drafting or specialist legal interpretation is required, a solicitor may also need to be involved.
LIMITED COMPANY OR LLP?
Two limited-liability structures with different operating models
The appropriate route depends on ownership, profit allocation, investment plans, management responsibilities, tax position and the type of business being carried on.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Ownership through shares
Typically used where ownership, voting rights and economic interests are represented through shares.
PEOPLE
One or more directors and one or more shareholders can be involved.
PROFITS
The company is a separate taxable entity; how value is extracted requires separate consideration.
CONTROL
Decision rights can arise from share ownership, voting rights and company documents.
INVESTMENT
Shares can provide a familiar ownership framework for bringing in investors.
FILINGS
Annual accounts, confirmation statements and relevant tax filings continue after formation.
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
Ownership through membership
Often considered where two or more people or corporate bodies want partnership-style participation with a separate legal entity.
PEOPLE
An LLP needs at least two members and at least two designated members at all times.
PROFITS
Members are generally taxed on their share of LLP profits, subject to their own circumstances.
CONTROL
The LLP agreement and applicable law govern member rights, duties and decision processes.
INVESTMENT
It does not use a conventional shareholder-and-share-capital model.
FILINGS
Annual accounts, confirmation statements and partnership-related tax responsibilities continue.
Not sure which route fits?
We can explain the accounting and tax context, but complex ownership rights, bespoke agreements or regulated-profession requirements may also need legal advice.
Read the sole trader vs limited company guide →WHAT THE FORMATION SERVICE CAN COVER
A defined route from founder information to post-formation setup
The final scope depends on the entity type, number of people involved, ownership structure, address arrangements, identity-verification status and any connected accounting work.
Structure discussion
Review the intended activity, founders, ownership and practical differences between common structures.
Name review
Check the proposed name against the register and identify wording that may require additional approval.
People and control information
Organise director, shareholder, member, designated-member and PSC details required for the application.
Registered details
Confirm the registered office, registered email and relevant service-address information.
Formation application
Prepare and submit the agreed company or LLP incorporation information through the appropriate filing route.
Formation documents
Provide the available incorporation outputs and explain which records the entity should retain.
Initial accounting setup
Establish the bookkeeping, year-end and record-keeping steps that should begin after incorporation.
Tax-registration review
Consider relevant Corporation Tax, Self Assessment, payroll or VAT actions based on actual activity.
Ongoing filing support
Agree whether annual accounts, tax returns, confirmation statements and company-secretarial changes are included separately.
FORMATION WORKFLOW
Six stages before the entity is ready to operate
Incorporation timing ultimately depends on the filing route, completeness of information, identity requirements and Companies House processing.
Clarify the intended structure
Understand the business activity, founders, ownership and immediate priorities.
Gather formation details
Names, addresses, roles, control information and required declarations are organised.
Check identity requirements
Confirm the route for identity verification and the personal codes needed for relevant filings.
Approve the public information
Founders check the application details before submission to the register.
File the formation application
The application is delivered through the agreed filing route and awaits examination.
Begin post-formation actions
Accounting records, tax registrations and the first compliance timetable are established.
ENTITY-SPECIFIC READINESS
The information required changes with the structure
These checklists provide a practical overview. They do not replace reviewing the actual application, the company documents or any legal agreement between founders.
LIMITED COMPANY
Founder information to organise
01
Proposed company name and registered jurisdiction.
02
Registered office address and registered email address.
03
Director details, service addresses and identity-verification information.
04
Shareholder details, share allocation and share rights being used.
05
People with Significant Control information or the appropriate statement.
06
Articles and memorandum route appropriate to the agreed formation.
07
Intended business activity and relevant SIC-code information.
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
Member information to organise
01
Proposed LLP name and registered jurisdiction.
02
Registered office address and registered email address.
03
At least two members carrying on a lawful business with a view to profit.
04
At least two designated members and their required information.
05
PSC information or the appropriate legally required statement.
06
Profit-sharing, decision and member-change terms for the LLP agreement.
07
Separate member and LLP tax-registration responsibilities after formation.
COMPANIES HOUSE IDENTITY VERIFICATION
Identity verification is now part of the company lifecycle.
People setting up, running, owning or controlling UK companies may need to verify their identity and use a Companies House personal code in relevant filings. The exact requirement and timing depends on the person’s role and the filing being made.
Important service boundary
We will only describe Path Accountants as an authorised Companies House agent or identity
verifier where that status has been formally obtained and can be evidenced. Otherwise,
verification must be completed through an available authorised route.
IDENTITY WORKFLOWROLE-BASED CHECK
Identify the relevant person
Director, PSC, LLP member or another person whose role creates a verification requirement.
Choose a valid verification route
Use the Companies House service or a properly registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider where available.
Receive and retain the personal code
The individual should keep the code securely and provide it when a relevant filing requires it.
Use the code for the correct role
The filing process must connect the verified identity to the relevant company position.
REGISTERED OFFICE & EMAIL
Choose official contact details before the application begins.
The registered office is public. The registered email is not published, but it must be monitored so official communications reach someone acting for the entity.
An appropriate physical address
- Located in the same UK jurisdiction as the entity’s registration.
- Capable of receiving official post and bringing it to the entity’s attention.
- Publicly visible on the Companies House register.
- Used with the provider’s permission where an agent address is selected.
A monitored official email address
- Provided during company or LLP formation.
- Expected to bring Companies House messages to an appropriate person.
- Not displayed on the public register.
- Kept current when the contact email changes.
THE FIRST OPERATING SETUP
What happens after the certificate arrives?
The actions below depend on when the entity starts trading, employing people, making taxable supplies or paying its owners and members.
Open and separate the records
Create a bookkeeping process and keep entity transactions distinct from personal activity.
Review tax registrations
Consider Corporation Tax or partnership registrations and whether VAT or payroll action is relevant.
Establish the first year end
Confirm the accounting reference date and the internal timetable for preparing the first accounts.
Record ownership and changes
Retain relevant registers and documents and report changes through the required process.
Monitor official communication
Check registered post and email so requests or filing reminders are not missed.
Plan recurring filings
Track accounts, tax returns, confirmation statements and any employer or VAT deadlines.
DOCUMENTS AND LEGAL AGREEMENTS
Formation documents and founder agreements are not the same thing.
Standard incorporation documents establish the entity. They may not address every issue between founders, shareholders or LLP members.
FORMATION SUPPORT
LEGAL DRAFTING MAY BE NEEDED
01
Organising the information required for the incorporation application.
01
Bespoke shareholder agreements or complex articles.
02
Using agreed standard formation documents where appropriate.
02
Detailed LLP agreements governing profit shares, exits and disputes.
03
Explaining accounting and tax implications at a general level.
03
Legal opinions on rights, liability, regulation or enforceability.
04
Supporting routine Companies House filing information.
04
Investment documents, option arrangements or transaction contracts.
COMMON FORMATION PROBLEMS
Problems often begin with assumptions made before submission
Companies House acceptance confirms registration. It does not confirm that the structure, ownership or private agreements are commercially suitable for every founder.
Shares are issued without discussing control
Ownership percentages, voting rights and economic interests may not reflect what the founders intended.
A home address becomes public unexpectedly
The registered office or service-address choice was not reviewed before filing.
An LLP is formed without agreed member terms
Profit sharing, decisions, duties and exit arrangements remain unclear between members.
Identity verification is left until a filing is blocked
Required personal codes or verification steps were not organised early enough.
The wrong activity or control information is submitted
The founders approve public-register data without checking its meaning or accuracy.
The entity forms but the records do not start
Banking, invoices, bookkeeping and tax registrations are delayed after trading begins.
FEES AND PROCESSING
Separate the statutory filing fee from the professional service fee.
Companies House charges statutory fees for incorporation and other filings. Those fees can change. Our quotation should show the filing fee, our service scope and any optional ongoing services separately.
No incorporation-time guarantee
Processing time depends on the filing method, application quality, verification status
and Companies House examination. An expedited route may exist, but acceptance and timing
remain outside an accountant’s control.
Companies House fee
The current statutory fee for the selected filing route.
Formation-service fee
The agreed review, preparation and submission support provided by Path Accountants.
Optional address service
Only where available, suitable and expressly included in the quotation.
Post-formation accounting
Bookkeeping, accounts, tax, VAT, payroll or company-secretarial work agreed separately.
What is the difference between a limited company and an LLP?
A limited company normally has directors, shareholders and share capital. An LLP has members and designated members and is generally treated as a partnership for tax purposes. Both are separate legal entities, but their ownership, tax and governance models differ.
How many people are needed to form an LLP?
An LLP must be formed by at least two members and must have at least two designated members at all times. Members can include individuals or corporate bodies, subject to the applicable rules.
Do directors and owners need to verify their identity?
Identity verification is now a legal requirement for relevant people who set up, run, own or control UK companies. The exact timing and use of a Companies House personal code depend on the person’s role and the filing being made.
Can I use my home as the registered office?
A qualifying physical address may be used, but the registered office is displayed publicly. Founders should consider privacy and ensure the address meets the Companies House requirements before submitting it.
Does an LLP need an LLP agreement?
An LLP agreement is not the incorporation application itself, but official guidance recommends agreeing how the LLP will be run, including profit sharing, decisions, responsibilities and how members join or leave. Bespoke drafting may require a solicitor.
Can you guarantee same-day incorporation?
No. A faster filing route may be available in some circumstances, but acceptance and processing remain subject to Companies House requirements, examination and service availability.
Does company formation include a business bank account?
Formation does not guarantee bank-account approval. We can help organise the company information commonly requested, but the bank or payment provider carries out its own checks and makes the final decision.
What happens after the company or LLP is formed?
The entity should establish its accounting records, review relevant tax registrations, monitor official correspondence and plan recurring filings such as accounts and confirmation statements. The exact actions depend on when and how it starts operating.
How much does company or LLP formation cost?
The total may include the current Companies House filing fee, the professional formation-service fee and any separately selected address, accounting or company-secretarial services. The quotation should state each component clearly.
BEFORE YOU REGISTER
Tell us who is involved and how the business will operate.
Share the proposed activity, number of founders, ownership plan, preferred structure, registered-address position and desired start date. We will use that information to identify the formation and accounting steps that need to be scoped.