What are the main legal documents and registrations I’ll need when setting up an accounting business in the UK?

To set up an accounting business in the UK, you will need to prepare and register a variety of legal documents. Key requirements include:

• Registering your business name with Companies House.
• Obtaining a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and registering for Value Added Tax (VAT) if required.
• Registering with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) if providing financial advice, or with the relevant professional body such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) if offering accounting services.
• Preparing a legally binding partnership agreement, shareholders agreement, or company constitution, depending on your chosen business structure.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant UK laws and local council regulations.