Why recruitment agencies and end-clients are unlikely to hire contractors who do not work via either a limited or umbrella company structure.
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.
What is a company secretary, and do I need one?
Company secretaries are usually appointed to help directors complete their statutory duties and carry out other tasks relating to corporate governance.
Forming a company – Articles and Memorandum of Association
If you want to form a new company, alongside the Companies House application itself (IN01), you must also file Articles and a Memorandum of Association. Here, we explain what these documents are, and how to submit them.
In what sense is your liability limited if you run a company?
One of the main attractions of contracting via your own company is that the liability of its shareholders is limited. So, to what extent is the liability of company directors limited?
What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
When you register a company in the UK, once your application has been processed and approved, Companies House will send you a formal certificate of incorporation.