As a limited company contractor, you’ll face the quizzical moment of deciding where to register your business, whether it should be your home address, or your accountants. So, let’s make this simple by exploring your options, and the benefits and not-so-good factors that come hand in hand.
Firstly, what exactly is a registered office?
As your limited company is a separate legal entity to you, it will need to be registered to an address. This will be your ‘registered office’ and this address will be displayed on Companies House, which can be viewed by the public.
This address will function as the main point of communication for authorities, which means that all statutory mail will be sent here. It must also be displayed on your company’s website, and on correspondence such as invoices, bills, and emails.
If your company is registered in England and Wales, your registered office must be located in England and Wales. If your company is registered in Scotland, your registered office must also be located in Scotland.
What’s the difference between a registered office and business address?
The registered office doesn’t actually have to be where you carry out your business, but it must be an accessible address.
Your business address, also known as trading address, will be where you receive all other types of correspondence from clients, suppliers and third parties, which includes junk mail.
Both addresses can be different from each other, or they can be the same – as long as they meet the above requirements. You can always change the details of your registered office at a later date, as long as it’s within the same country.
Why should my registered office not be my home address?
The main determining factor is to protect your privacy, as your registered office address will be visible on public record. If this information is released, it will prove further than difficult to claw back the information in the future.
It’s also a way of physically drawing the line between your work and private life.
Why should my accountant be my registered office?
Your accountant will have instant access to any tax or financial documents that your business receives, allowing them to be dealt with promptly, saving you the administrative hassle of scanning, or posting documents. You can still use your trading/business address to receive more private correspondence.
At Gorilla Accounting, we offer the option to select us as your registered office for an additional £10 plus vat per month, alongside your package, saving you from receiving unwanted mail at your home address.For more information about the Gorilla Accounting service, get in touch with a member of our New Business team by calling 0330 024 0406 or email info@gorillaaccounting.com.
