Setting up a Business in the UK
Benefit from Azets’ fully managed accounting, tax and administration services when setting up a business in the United Kingdom.
Get in touchOccupying a widely acknowledged bridgehead between Europe and North America, and with well-established links to numerous fast-developing Commonwealth countries, the United Kingdom is in prime position to attract ambitious overseas companies.
Add to that the relatively low tax rates and flexible employment laws it offers, and you can understand why it’s one of the most attractive places to do business.
If your business is looking to establish a presence in the UK, Azets’ skilled international team has the experience and expertise to help you get it right. We work alongside companies looking to set up operations in the UK and Northern Europe, providing a fully managed, outsourced accounting, finance, tax and administration service.
Our financial specialists will be with you every step of the way to ensure your operation is correctly registered to comply with accounting and auditing laws. We’ll also be able to advise your company executives on tax compliance both for corporate and personal purposes.
We’ll partner with you to understand how you like to work, providing trusted advice through regular meetings, phone calls, or whichever method suits you.
Investing in the UK or European markets requires planning and expertise, and you need a partner with experience and an excellent track record of success.
Many members of our team have hands-on experience internationally and have significant expertise in business management, accounting, and tax services. We also have access to high quality overseas advice through our global association, Allinial.
As well as having the international expertise you need, because we are a national firm with local presence, we’re always likely to have an office close to where you intend to establish your business – so we can provide the local knowledge you need too.
Get in touch today to get started.
Quite simply, we provide a safe pair of hands to guide you through the step-by-step process of setting up a business in the UK, identifying what requirements may be triggered, and acting as a one-stop-shop for all your compliance needs. This can help you to:
A move to the UK, whilst potentially beneficial, can lead to a number of challenges that need expert guidance to overcome. We’ll ensure you don’t miss any key deadlines, potentially leading to penalties and regulatory or reputational risk, bearing in mind that financial statements filings are on public record in the UK.
Get in touchAt a time when your resources could be better spent focusing on expanding your business into a new and unfamiliar territory, we’ll help you avoid missed filings and your senior staff having to go through UK rules and guidelines.
Get in touchOur help with setting up your business in the UK goes beyond financial matters. We will start by helping you to decide which legal structure and entity is best suited for your needs, whether that is a private limited company, partnership or branch, and we'll help you get registered with Companies House.
We’ll then support you in establishing the best business structure, identifying the most effective technology, and creating processes that will save you hassle, money and time. At every step, we’ll tailor our advice to help you deliver on your priorities and goals.
Once your UK business is up and running, we can take care of your day-to-day financial needs so that you can focus on your business. Our end-to-end support, advisory and compliance services include:
Our specialist international corporate tax team will ensure all your compliance matters are properly addressed and any planning opportunities are explored. This will include ensuring you have the right business structure, understand your UK tax compliance obligations and you are also aware of any UK tax reliefs that may provide you with cash benefits which includes R&D tax incentives, Patent Box, Capital Allowances and much more.
Duty and VAT issues can be extremely complex, so we have a team of specialists dedicated to indirect taxation work.
Many businesses enter the UK market via a sales and marketing function. Our teams can carry out the complete back-office function on your behalf, including accounting, tax, regulatory filings and all payroll regulation issues such as mandatory pension legislation (auto enrolment).
Our experts can provide the services you need to ensure you are fully compliant with all of the relevant regulations.
Our HR team can assist with pay-rate comparisons, recruitment and contract drafting to ensure you have the best people in place to run and expand your business.
we can put you in touch with other trusted professional advisers to help you establish a commercial presence in the UK, from legal advice, finance, business insurance and relocation services, to helping you set up a business bank account, the Azets team can support you every step of the way.
You can rest assured that at every stage of your entry and business cycle in the UK you will have the guidance and support of a high quality, partner-led team.
One of the biggest advantages of the UK for overseas organisations wishing to set up a business is that you don’t actually need to be resident. The only requirement is that you have a postal address within the relevant jurisdiction. This will be the registered office of your company. But from there, communications can be forwarded to your own headquarters located anywhere in the world.
Other than that, you need a unique company name and details of at least one named director and shareholder, neither of whom need to be resident in the UK.
The UK is not without business laws, and certain formalities must be observed. But as befits a country that sells itself as an advocate of international free trade, these requirements are not too onerous. Among such regulations are that any UK bank accounts that are opened must generally be done so in person. There are also tight regulations around such things as taxation, accounting and employment law.
For all these reasons, it pays to work with local professionals with a long track record of assisting foreign companies to set up and operate in the UK. Here at Azets we’ve got many years’ experience of doing just that. Our team of professionals will be happy to help you ensure that you set up correctly within all the regulatory frameworks that apply.
So, whether it’s drawing up employment contracts, opening a business account, registering your business with Companies House, filing your tax return with HMRC we can help. For guidance on the full range of services we offer to overseas investors in the UK look at our accountancy services.
As a jurisdiction, the UK is known for its relatively low tax burden, flexible employment laws, political stability and legal impartiality. These advantages don’t happen in isolation; they’re backed up by good employment regulations, including a minimum wage, reliable tax collection processes, and a financial regulation system that requires regular audits and accountability. After all, making sure that the whole system operates fairly and equitably is what guarantees the stability that’s so attractive.
Among the most complicated areas of operation for foreign companies in the UK is employment. Many organisations won’t need to hire large numbers of staff, while others will. But every member of staff you recruit will require an employment contract.
Besides this there are a whole host of other statutory protections for UK workers. Importantly, your workers don’t have to be UK nationals for these to apply. Everybody working in the UK enjoys the same protections.
Other areas that require careful attention are tax planning and financial probity. The UK remains strong on anti-bribery and corruption procedures, and increasingly enforces strict data protection laws.
Once you’re up and running it’s easy to assume your work is done. You can return home and run your business as you see fit. But it’s important to ensure that your UK arm remains fully compliant while you’re away. Whatever size your business is, or whatever sector you operate in, we are here to help.
Using the latest accounting technology, we manage all the essential functions of a modern business – from start-ups, small and medium sized companies, to major international groups. With a regular flow of enquiries and referrals, we are experienced in dealing with businesses looking to set up in the UK across a range of sectors, including:
Get in touch with our friendly, professional team now.
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