Business Setup and Compliance

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Business Setup and Compliance Services

Getting your business started on the right foot requires more than just a good idea. At Allied Financial Group, we provide end-to-end business setup and compliance support designed to simplify registrations, meet UK legal obligations, and build solid operational foundations. Whether you’re launching a new venture or formalising your existing operations, we make the process smoother, faster, and fully compliant from day one.

What Are Business Setup and Compliance Services?

Business Setup and Compliance Services refer to the administrative, regulatory, and legal tasks involved in starting and maintaining a company in the UK. This includes forming a legal business entity, registering with HMRC, ensuring proper record-keeping, setting up compliant accounting systems, and staying on top of ongoing statutory duties. Our support extends across three core areas:

  • Accounting Software Setup & MTD Compliance: We configure cloud-based systems such as Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent to ensure your records are digital, accurate, and Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant from the start.
  • Company Formation Services: Fast, accurate registration of limited companies, partnerships, or sole traders. We handle Companies House submissions and can provide articles of association, share structure setup, and registered office services.
  • Company Secretarial Services: Ongoing compliance with Companies House obligations, including Confirmation Statements, director appointments, statutory registers, share changes, and more.
     

Why Business Setup & Compliance Services Matter

Setting up a business properly from the beginning helps avoid costly mistakes, tax penalties, and administrative issues later. Our support ensures:

  • Legal compliance from day one
  • Accurate financial records for funding, tax, and growth
  • Digital systems ready for MTD requirements
  • Reduced admin and faster decision-making
  • Stronger credibility with stakeholders, banks, and investors
     

The Current Landscape (With UK Statistics)

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With tighter digital regulations and stricter penalties for non-compliance, new and small businesses must act quickly and correctly. Our service bridges that gap.
 

How Our Business Setup and Compliance Service Helps

At Allied Financial Group, we streamline the setup process and provide continued support as your business grows. Here’s what’s included:

  • Guidance on Choosing the Right Legal Structure (Ltd, sole trader, partnership)
  • Company Registration with Companies House (same-day available)
  • HMRC Registrations - Corporation Tax, PAYE, VAT, CIS
  • Registered Office & Director Service Address Options
  • Cloud Accounting Setup - Configuring Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent
  • MTD Readiness - Ensuring your business meets Making Tax Digital rules
  • Confirmation Statements and Statutory Registers
  • Ongoing Secretarial Support - including share changes and director updates

We also provide ongoing advisory support for startups – whether it’s help with your first invoice, payroll setup, or understanding shareholder responsibilities. You’ll never be left to figure it out alone.
 

Key Insights from Leading Sources

  • Companies House registered over 835,000 new companies in 2023, up 7.3% from the previous year. With this growth comes increased scrutiny around correct filings and compliance. (Companies House 2024)
  • Making Tax Digital is now mandatory for most VAT-registered businesses, with phased expansion planned for Income Tax Self Assessment from April 2026. Digital setup is no longer optional. (Gov.uk, MTD rollout plan)
  • Late Confirmation Statements and inaccurate statutory registers can lead to fines of £150–£1,500 and even company strike-off if not addressed. (Companies House Penalty Schedule)
  • Choosing the wrong legal structure at setup can limit funding options or increase personal liability. Expert guidance at the outset prevents expensive restructuring later. (FSB UK Business Guide)
  • Cloud-based accounting improves business decision-making by 50%, according to Xero’s UK Small Business Trends report, as real-time data drives more confident planning.
     

Is This Service Right for You?

If you’re starting a business, formalising your operations, or struggling with Companies House or MTD obligations, this service is made for you. We support startups, sole traders, limited companies, and entrepreneurs of all types across the UK. Whether you want to register a new company or streamline admin for an existing one, we’ll help you do it properly, efficiently, and with complete confidence.
 

Ready to Take Control of Your Finances?

Let Allied Financial Group take the stress out of setting up and managing your business structure and compliance. We offer clear, personalised support to ensure you're legally compliant, MTD-ready, and free to focus on growing your business. Get in touch today for tailored guidance and a smooth setup process.

What Our Business Setup & Compliance Services Include

Practical guidance to launch and maintain your business with confidence—from formation and software setup to ongoing compliance and annual filings.

Accounting software setup & MTD compliance (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent)
Company formation: name availability, registration, and incorporation documents
Company secretarial support: confirmation statements, statutory registers, PSC, and director/shareholder records

Frequently Asked Questions

AFG provides comprehensive support for both initial business setup and ongoing compliance. We can assist with company formation, HMRC registrations, setting up accounting systems, advising on VAT and PAYE, preparing and filing annual accounts and tax returns, and ensuring you meet all your Companies House obligations. Our goal is to provide continuous peace of mind so you can concentrate on your core business activities.

While you don't necessarily have to be a UK resident to register a company in the UK, having a UK registered office address is essential. Opening a UK business bank account is highly recommended and often a practical necessity for day-to-day operations, receiving payments, and complying with tax obligations. Many UK banks now offer solutions for non-resident directors, but it can sometimes require more detailed due diligence.

All UK businesses that collect, store, or process personal data (of customers, employees, etc.) must comply with the UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This means you must:

  • Process data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.
  • Collect data for specific, explicit, and legitimate purposes.
  • Ensure data is adequate, relevant, and limited to what's necessary.
  • Keep data accurate and up-to-date.
  • Retain data for no longer than necessary.
  • Ensure appropriate security measures are in place to protect data.
  • You'll likely need a Privacy Policy, and in some cases, register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

After incorporating your company with Companies House, you'll typically need to:

  • Register for Corporation Tax: This is mandatory for all limited companies within three months of starting to trade.
  • Register for Self Assessment: If you're a sole trader, partner, or a director receiving a salary/dividends, you'll need to register for Self Assessment to pay income tax and National Insurance.
  • Register for VAT: If your business's taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a 12-month rolling period, or if you anticipate it will within 30 days. You can also register voluntarily below this threshold.
  • Register for PAYE: If you plan to employ anyone (including yourself as a director taking a salary) and pay them above the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit, you must register as an employer.

UK businesses must keep accurate accounting records that show and explain all transactions. This includes invoices, receipts, bank statements, payroll records, and details of assets and liabilities. Generally, these records must be kept for at least six years from the end of the financial year they relate to. Statutory registers (e.g., Register of Directors, Register of People with Significant Control) must be maintained for the entire life of the company.

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