--- title: "UK Company Formation in Cardiff | Luminaire Accounts" description: "Form a limited company with Companies House, set directors and share structure, and get ready for HMRC registrations with clear guidance." canonical: "https://hlsaccounting.co.uk/services/company-formation-and-incorporation" --- Business Start-Up & Advisory # Company Formation & Incorporation We handle the paperwork, filings and legal steps to get your Cardiff business incorporated as a limited company quickly and correctly. From choosing the right structure to registering with Companies House and HMRC, we make sure everything is set up properly from day one. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) 24hrs Typical incorporation time 10+ Years experience 100+ Companies formed ![Two business professionals sign company formation documents at a clean office desk, then shake hands; papers and hands in the foreground, modern office background softly visible.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fcompany_formation_paperwork_handshake_realistic_studio_photo.png%3Fv%3D1773064422489&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_DEc4fGhEc1SCRZZutzoEsRuDy1CJ) ## What we cover Setting up a limited company involves more than a single form. We guide you through each decision and handle the registrations that follow, so nothing gets missed. ### Companies House registration We prepare and submit your incorporation documents, ensuring your company name, directors, shareholders and registered office are all correctly filed. ### Share structure and capital Advice on how to split shares between founders and directors in a way that suits your plans and minimises future tax complications. ### Post-incorporation registrations Corporation Tax, PAYE and VAT setup with HMRC, plus help opening a business bank account and organising your statutory records. ## How we set up your limited company Forming a limited company in Cardiff gives you a separate legal entity, limited liability protection, and often a more tax-efficient structure than sole trading. We handle the entire incorporation process for small businesses across South Wales, from choosing a compliant company name through to receiving your Certificate of Incorporation from Companies House. The mechanics are straightforward: we gather details about your directors, shareholders and registered office address, then submit Form IN01 with your Memorandum and Articles of Association. Most online applications are approved within 24 hours, and you can start trading immediately once Companies House issues your certificate and company number. > We make sure your share structure, registered office and director details are set up correctly before you file, not after. More information Where clients often need the most help is deciding _how_ to structure things. How many shares should each director hold? Should you issue them at nominal value or a premium? What about people with significant control? These decisions affect your tax position, dividend planning and future flexibility, so we talk them through with you before anything is submitted. Once your company exists, the work continues. You need to register for Corporation Tax within three months, and possibly PAYE if you are taking a salary or employing staff. If your turnover will exceed the VAT threshold, that registration needs handling too. We take care of all these follow-on filings and help you open a business bank account, set up your accounting software, and organise the statutory registers and minute books you are legally required to keep. ### What's included - Company name availability check and reservation - Preparation of Memorandum and Articles of Association - Form IN01 submission via Companies House WebFiling - Statement of capital and allocation of shares - Registered office service in Cardiff (if required) - Corporation Tax, PAYE and VAT registration with HMRC - Guidance on opening a business bank account - Digital statutory registers and first board minutes Most of our clients are Cardiff and South Wales sole traders making the jump to limited status, or small partnerships incorporating to save tax or bring on investors. We have formed companies for everyone from tradespeople and salon owners to dental practices and consultancy firms. The process is the same regardless of sector, but the advice around timing, share classes and dividend strategy is specific to your situation. Getting incorporation right the first time avoids expensive corrections later. If your PSC details are wrong, your share structure creates an unexpected tax charge, or you miss a registration deadline with HMRC, sorting it out retrospectively is always harder and more costly than doing it properly at the outset. That is why we walk you through each decision rather than just filling in a form on your behalf. ### Ready to get started? Book a free consultation and we'll talk through the best structure for your business and what happens next. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) ### You might also need - [Sole Trader vs Limited Company Advice](/services/sole-trader-vs-limited-company-advice)→ - [Business Health Checks](/services/business-health-checks)→ - [Budgeting & Financial Projections](/services/budgeting-and-financial-projections)→ ## Worth considering Business Start-Up & Advisory ### Cash Flow Forecasting Cash flow forecasting that shows what is coming in and going out, highlights tight months, and helps you plan VAT, payroll and stock with confidence before they bite. [Cash Flow Forecasting→](/services/cash-flow-forecasting) Business Start-Up & Advisory ### Business Plan Preparation Turn your figures into a lender-ready business plan with clear assumptions, cash flow forecasts, break-even analysis, and a plan you can update and use monthly. [Business Plan Preparation→](/services/business-plan-preparation) Business Start-Up & Advisory ### Start-Up Accounting Packages Get your new business set up properly with bookkeeping, HMRC registrations, VAT and payroll support, plus clear numbers and deadline reminders as you grow. [Start-Up Accounting Packages→](/services/start-up-accounting-packages) Business Start-Up & Advisory ### Business Start-Up Advice Practical business start-up advice in Cardiff to help you choose the right structure, register with HMRC, set up bookkeeping, and plan cash flow and tax deadlines. [Business Start-Up Advice→](/services/business-start-up-advice) ## Before you incorporate These are the questions we hear most often from Cardiff businesses thinking about incorporating. How long does it take to form a limited company? Online applications submitted via Companies House WebFiling are typically approved within 24 hours on working days. Postal applications can take up to 10 days. Once approved, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation and can start trading immediately. How much does it cost to incorporate? Companies House charges around £12 for online incorporation or £40 by post. Our service fee covers name checks, document preparation, submission, and follow-up HMRC registrations. We'll give you a fixed price when we discuss your requirements. Do I need a registered office address in Cardiff? Your registered office must be in Wales if you want to register as a Welsh company, but it does not have to be your trading address. We can provide a Cardiff registered office service if you work from home or do not want your home address on the public register. What's the difference between a director and a shareholder? Directors run the company day to day and have legal responsibilities under the Companies Act. Shareholders own the company and receive dividends. The same person can be both, and in most small companies the directors are also the main shareholders. When do I need to register for VAT or PAYE? You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period, or you can register voluntarily below that threshold. PAYE is required as soon as you pay yourself or anyone else a salary above the threshold, or provide taxable benefits. Can I incorporate if I'm currently a sole trader? Yes. Many of our clients are sole traders incorporating to benefit from limited liability or Corporation Tax rates. We help you transfer your trade to the new company, notify HMRC, and close your self-assessment if you're no longer trading personally. What records do I need to keep after incorporation? You must maintain a register of directors, a register of shareholders, a register of people with significant control (PSC), and minutes of board meetings and shareholder resolutions. We set up digital versions of these for you and show you how to keep them updated. Do you help with business bank accounts? We do not open accounts on your behalf, but we provide all the incorporation documents banks require and can recommend business-friendly providers. Most high street and online banks will ask for your Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association and proof of director identity. ## Let's talk about forming your company Book a free consultation and we'll explain the process, answer your questions, and give you a clear fixed price with no hidden costs. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting)