Company formation
Ltd companies are private and cannot offer shares to the public; PLCs can, but need £50,000 share capital, a company secretary and stricter filing rules.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 21 October 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
A private limited company (Ltd) cannot offer shares to the public, while a public limited company (PLC) can. A PLC needs at least £50,000 allotted share capital (a quarter paid up), two directors, a qualified company secretary and must file accounts within six months.
Side by side
Do PLCs have limited liability?
A private limited company (Ltd) cannot offer shares to the public, while a public limited company (PLC) can. A PLC needs at least £50,000 allotted share capital (a quarter paid up), two directors, a qualified company secretary and must file accounts within six months.
Ltd: minimum one director and one share, no company secretary required, accounts due nine months after year end, usually exempt from audit if small.
PLC: minimum two directors, qualified company secretary, £50,000 minimum allotted share capital with at least 25% paid up, a trading certificate before it can trade, accounts due six months after year end and an audit is mandatory.
Yes. Both Ltd and PLC shareholders have limited liability. Being a PLC is not the same as being listed on a stock exchange; many PLCs are unlisted. Organisations like Wikipedia are not UK companies at all — the Wikimedia Foundation is a US non-profit.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
A company limited by shares whose shares may be offered to the public, ending in PLC, with the capital and governance rules above.
Yes, by special resolution and re-registration at Companies House once it meets the share capital and officer requirements.
Almost never. The cost and rules only make sense if you plan to raise capital from the public.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
Two ways to work with us
Everything is fixed price and agreed before we start. Prices are the same whether you are in London, Morden, Croydon or anywhere else in the UK.
All-inclusive packages
One fee covering your company’s filing calendar, with the price based on your turnover band.
One-off online filing
No monthly commitment. Add what you need to one basket and pay by card, with government fees shown separately at cost.
Not sure which fits? Book a free consultation or get an instant quote.
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Share your next deadline, accounting problem or growth question. We will reply with a clear next step and quote any technical work before it begins.
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Work with us entirely online, or sit down with your accountant at whichever office suits you. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Office visits are by appointment only, so please book before coming in.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
