I'm starting up a book keeping business and intend to trade as a limited company. How easy is it to incorporate a company myself, or should I get a solicitor/accountant to do it for me. I've been quoted around £400 if I use the later.
Unless you are dead set on trading as a limited company, I would personally start out as a sole trader, which is much easier and cheaper to start with.
If you want to have a go at incorporating a company yourself, it's fairly easy to do so. Just go to the companies house website and search to see if you chosen company name is available. If it is you will need to use an incorporation agent, who will register the company for you, and provide you with the necessary company articles. You will need to provide the company with details of the company secretary, directors and shareholders and an address to use as a registered office etc. All of this shouldn't take very long, and in most cases you will have your new company within a few hours.
The best bit.....it should only cost around £25-£30 to do it this way, a big saving on your £400 quote.
When I started my business I wanted to trade as an incorporated company to have limited liability.
I used UK plc (www.ukplc.net) to incorporate my company and found it very easy. I did have to nominate my husband as company secretary (I did assure him it didn't mean being my receptionist), but other than that I had no nasty suprises. I also file my annual return and other forms online, so having a company isn't the major chore it used to be.
Total cost to incorporate was aorund £50, this included a paper copy of the certificate of incorporation which I needed to open a business bank account.
Thanks Sarah & Man for your help. Have looked at a few incorporation agents on the internet and it does look a fairly easy process. Will have a look into the pro's and con's of being a sole trader and ltd company, and then decide what to do.
), but other than that I had no nasty suprises. I also file my annual return and other forms online, so having a company isn't the major chore it used to be. 
