UK Accountant / Company Formation Consultant – Company, VAT, HMRC and Sage Setup

We are looking for an experienced UK accountant or company formation consultant to complete the initial setup of a new UK private limited company. This is a one-off engagement covering company incorporation, registrations with HMRC and Companies House, and the initial configuration of the company’s accounts in Sage. Ongoing bookkeeping, tax returns and annual accounts are not included at this stage. Scope of Work The successful consultant will be required to: 1. Company Formation Review the proposed business structure and provide advice on: Appropriate SIC code(s) Shareholding and share structure Director and Person with Significant Control details Registered office and service addresses Accounting reference date Incorporate the private limited company with Companies House. Support the director(s) and PSC(s) with the applicable Companies House identity-verification requirements. Provide the incorporation documents, including: Certificate of Incorporation Memorandum and Articles of Association Share certificate(s) Statutory company registers Companies House authentication code and filing details 2. HMRC and Tax Registrations Ensure that the company receives its Corporation Tax Unique Taxpayer Reference. Register the company for Corporation Tax when appropriate. Set up or assist with the company’s HMRC Business Tax Account/Government Gateway access. Complete any necessary initial HMRC registrations and arrangements. Register the company for PAYE only where required. Explain the company’s initial filing and payment deadlines. 3. VAT Registration Review whether VAT registration is compulsory or voluntary. Advise on the appropriate VAT registration date and accounting scheme. Complete and submit the VAT registration application to HMRC. Assist with adding VAT to the company’s HMRC Business Tax Account. Configure the company for Making Tax Digital for VAT. Provide the VAT registration confirmation and VAT number once issued. The current compulsory VAT registration threshold is £90,000, although businesses below the threshold may register voluntarily. 4. Sage Accounting Setup Recommend the appropriate Sage Accounting subscription. Create and configure the company’s Sage account. Set up: Company and financial-year details Chart of accounts and nominal codes VAT rates, VAT scheme and VAT return periods Bank account and bank feed Sales invoice template Customers and suppliers, where initial details are provided Opening balances, where applicable User access and accountant access Confirm that Sage is ready for bookkeeping and digital VAT record-keeping. Provide a short handover session explaining the basic setup and operation. Sage Accounting currently starts from £20 per month excluding VAT after its introductory discount period; the subscription should be treated as a separate client cost. Required Experience Applicants should have: Recent experience registering UK limited companies. Good knowledge of Companies House and HMRC requirements. Experience completing UK VAT registrations. Strong practical experience setting up Sage Accounting. A recognised UK accountancy or bookkeeping qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or AAT, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience. Appropriate professional indemnity insurance and AML supervision where applicable. Experience supporting companies with overseas directors or shareholders would be helpful, where relevant. Required Deliverables The engagement will be considered complete when: The company has been successfully incorporated. All Companies House incorporation documents have been provided. The initial HMRC and Corporation Tax arrangements have been completed. The VAT registration application has been submitted correctly. Sage Accounting has been configured and is ready for use. A handover document has been provided listing: Registration references Filing deadlines Outstanding actions Access arrangements Recommended next steps HMRC processing times, including the issuing of the VAT number, are outside the consultant’s control. Completion should therefore mean successful submission and resolution of any reasonable HMRC queries, rather than guaranteeing a particular HMRC approval date. Please Include in Your Proposal Please provide: Your proposed fixed professional fee. Your qualifications and professional body. Details of similar company formation and VAT registration assignments. Your Sage Accounting experience or certification. Expected turnaround time. A list of information and documents required from us. Confirmation of any services or charges excluded from your proposal. Budget