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Companies House

Are You Aware of the Changes to Companies Law
Are you aware of the changes to Companies Law? 758 513 Stepping Stones Accountancy

Are you aware of the changes to Companies Law?

Companies Law applies to any business that is registered in the UK and sets out a business’s legal obligations, which they must comply to. There are a set number of requirements which need to be adhered to and if business fail to do so then punishments can be severe. This can include financial risks or penalties, personal liabilities for debts and potential removal of directors. To find out more about the full details of Companies Law please follow this link – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/contents.

Recently the Government has advised that some changes are being made to Companies Law. These will impact any limited companies that are registered with Companies House. The key reason for the update is to give businesses greater transparency and to allow Companies House to have clearer recognition that the standards and requirements they set for each and every business, are being adhered to.

As with any communication released by the Government, they never seem to be able to express exact requirements in a simple and easy to understand method. So, we thought it would be beneficial to offer our own translation. All the changes are being introduced this month (March 2024):

  • Companies House will be able to query more businesses, for example if they feel certain elements are incorrect or they perceive some inconsistences then it will be much easier for them to seek further guidance with less ambiguity.
  • When registering company names a more stringent approach will be taken to ensure the business name is unique and does not include any connotations of other businesses who are already registered.
  • A business‘ registered office must be a fixed and official location; it can no longer be registered using a PO Box.
  • For registration a company must include an office e-mail address
  • Companies will have to declare that the business is being established to undertake activities which comply with UK law (nothing can be unlawful). Also, a declaration confirming the same is then required thereafter for every year the business is running.
  • Finally, the register for all UK businesses will be cleansed to ensure any data flagged as misleading or not accurate will be removed. Notes will be added for potential issues which Companies House can then act on. All up to date data will be accessible by other government agencies and law enforcement authorities.

So, to conclude these changes are being introduced to help eliminate fraudulent information being used by companies, business owners and directors. It is also expected that more changes will follow in the coming months.

Overall, the changes will simply be to allow limited companies to ensure that all their registered data is accurate.

If you have any questions or queries, then the Stepping Stones Accountancy team can offer both help and support. Please call us on 01173 700 079 or e-mail hello@steppingstonesaccountancy.co.uk.

You can also book a free 20-minute call with Yarka – https://calendly.com/yarka-ssa/20min

Accountancy Advice When Starting A New Business | Accountants for Start Up | Accountancy Help for Business Start-Up
Accountancy advice when starting a business 758 513 Stepping Stones Accountancy

Accountancy advice when starting a business

The COVID Pandemic has seen many changes to the world of employment across the world. From remote working whilst home-schooling to zoom meetings from makeshift home offices, the workplace landscape has changed dramatically. Many businesses were forced to scale back their workforce and many industries had to shut completely. Indeed, 16 months ago many of us had not even heard of the word furlough!

They say though necessity is the mother of invention and never has this been truer than over the last year. Indeed in 2020 Companies House saw a significant surge in first-time entrepreneurs seizing the opportunity to turn an idea into a reality. Whether it was new business ideas as a result of life with COVID or those that had been dreaming of being their own boss for a long time, many individuals decided it was the right time to take the plunge.

As an accountancy firm we recommend that for those just starting out, there are a few basic steps which need to be covered to ensure a successful start.

Firstly, ensure that you have a business bank account. Many sole traders try to make do with using their personal bank account but having a separate business account makes it easier to separate personal and business transactions and simplify tax returns.

Secondly, good cashflow is vital. Monitoring income and expenditure enables you to make informed business decisions, pay your suppliers and keep on top of outstanding payments. This can be done easily with one of the many software programmes available, which your accountants can then use to assist you with your end of year accounts.

Knowing where to go to access funding is vital for any growing businesses. Whether it is your bank, invoice and asset financing or peer-to-peer lending making sense of all the options can be tricky and something which your accountant can help you navigate.

Lastly, setting up in business can sometimes feel like quite a lonely place to be, particularly if you have come from a busy office environment to being a sole trader. Long hours and long to do lists can be all consuming. This is where meeting like-minded individuals can really help. Your accountant will know others in the same boat as you and the local business networks which will be good to join. Never be afraid to ask for advice or recommendations, having someone to talk to can make a big difference when you are starting out.

If you have any questions or are in need of any help please feel free to call us on 01173 700 079 or e-mail hello@steppingstonesaccountancy.co.uk.

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