If you incorporate a new limited company for contracting, do you have to set up a separate bank account?
Limited Company Guides
Explore our essential guides to setting up and running a limited company.
A limited company is one of the most popular ways to run a business in the UK. It offers a clear separation between the company and its owners, which can provide both tax advantages and legal protection.
Many professional contractors also use limited companies, but the structure is equally common among small business owners of all kinds.
While directors take on extra legal responsibilities compared with sole traders or umbrella company workers, most of the routine administration can be handled by a specialist accountant.
Start here
- If you only have 5 minutes, read 10 steps you need to take to set up a limited company + FAQs
- How much does it cost to set up a limited company?
- Limited vs umbrella – advantages and disadvantages of each business structure
- More detailed guides on LimitedCompanyHelp.com.
Running a limited company – what is a confirmation statement? [2025 guide]
How to file a confirmation statement and what information you have to provide, including details about any “People with Significant Control” (PSCs).
Limited companies – what are SIC codes used for?
A Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is used to identify the business activity of your company, such as ‘Information technology consultancy activities.’
Failing limited companies must be on guard for militant creditors
This year’s peak of PSCs going to the wall may have passed. But creditor patience and HMRC understanding are also now things of the past.
What is a service address if you’re a limited company director?
Companies House maintains data about all UK limited companies, including the home addresses of company directors. The ‘service address’ concept affords privacy to individuals who wish to keep their residential address private.
Choose a name for your limited company – the basics
How to choose a professional, unique name for your company. We look at the rules and regulations which govern company naming, and why contractors may benefit from securing a matching web address.
March 2024 Companies House changes contractors should know about
New rules to combat fraud and improve the integrity of the Companies House database come into effect in March 2024. New guide for limited company directors.
Keeping your limited company in a dormant state – a guide for contractors
There may be good reasons why you want to set up a company, but not necessarily trade for the time being. You may decide to take a break from contracting, but keep your company ticking over. This is where the concept of a dormant company comes into play.
Setting up a company – what are Model Articles of Association?
When incorporating a new UK private limited company, directors must register Articles of Association with Companies House. These Articles set out the company’s internal governance ‘rule book’. Here we explain what the Model Articles contain, and answer some common contractor FAQs.
How much ‘hassle’ is involved in running a limited company?
If you’ve chosen to set up as a limited company contractor, how much admin work will you have to undertake? In truth, there’s not as much ‘hassle’ as you might imagine, especially if you hire a good accountant.