GR CONSULTING SERVICES - Blog #IncorporationGR CONSULTING SERVICES - Blog #Incorporationhttps://www.gr-consulting.co.uk/blogs/tag/incorporationSat, 07 Mar 2026 02:56:26 +0100http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Do I Need a Company Secretary for My UK Limited Company?]]>https://www.gr-consulting.co.uk/blogs/post/Do-I-Need-A-Company-Secretary-For-My-UK-Limited-CompanyCommon responsibilities of a company (corporate) secretary for a UK business. The company secretary must ensure that the business complies with its legal and regulatory obligations, such as filing accounts and reports, maintaining registers and records, and communicating with shareholders.]]>

What is a Company Secretary?

A company secretary is an essential role within a UK limited company. They are responsible for ensuring that the company complies with its legal and regulatory obligations. If you are running a UK limited company, you may wonder if you need a company secretary. While it is not a legal requirement to appoint one, having a company secretary can bring many benefits to your business.

What are the responsibilities of a company secretary?

Here are six reasons why you should consider hiring a company secretary for your UK limited company:

1. Statutory Registers

A company secretary can help you maintain your statutory books, which are the official records of your company’s shareholders, directors, secretaries, charges and people with significant control (PSCs). These records must be kept at your registered office or another inspection location and be available for inspection by the public. They help ensure compliance with the legal requirement for a company to hold and maintain the following statutory registers:
  • Register of directors
  • Register of directors’ residential addresses
  • Register of secretaries (where there is a secretary appointed)
  • Register of members
  • Register of people with significant control (PSC register)
  • Register of debenture holders (if required)
  • Register of charges (only required for companies with charges outstanding before 6 April 2013)

2. Companies House Filings

A company secretary can help you file your confirmation statement and other company returns with Companies House on time and accurately. These documents are essential to keep your company information up to date and avoid penalties for late or incorrect filing and include:
  • Confirmation Statement
  • Annual Accounts*
  • Company Changes
    • Officer (addition/removal)
    • Address Changes
    • Share Allotments
    • Special Resolutions.
*although the company secretary may file the company's annual accounts, directors remain responsible and will need to check and sign them

3. Meetings

Organising and co-ordinating meetings of directors, members and committees.
  • Producing Agendas
  • Producing and circulating board packs and members' resolutions paperwork
  • Taking and distributing meeting meetings.

4. Corporate Governance

Reviewing and advising on developments in good corporate governance and:
  • Assisting directors to comply with their duties under the Act
  • Ensuring compliance with the company’s Articles of Association (for example, meeting notice periods and procedures and directors’ authority to allot shares)
  • Ensuring compliance with requirements under the Act (for example, retention periods for original documents).

5. Communications

First point of contact for:
  • Shareholders – dealing with queries, payments of dividends, and management and procedure for general meetings
  • Non-executive directors – providing induction, ongoing support and guidance.

6. Accounts

Working with internal and external advisors (and the directors) on:
  • Preparation, distribution and approval of the accounts
  • Filing the accounts at Companies House

Do you need a Company Secretary for your business?

Get in touch ...
]]>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:30:00 +0000<![CDATA[Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR Number)]]>https://www.gr-consulting.co.uk/blogs/post/Unique-Taxpayer-Reference-UTRInformation about the Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR number). How to get a UTR number, what is a UTR number and why you need a UTR number.]]>

What is a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and how do I get one?

If you just set up your business (e.g. limited company or sole trader) you will have come across the Unique Tax Payer Reference or UTR number for short.

Your UTR number is a 10-digit number (sometimes just called ‘tax reference’) and is assigned to you (sole trader) or your business (e.g. Limited Company). It is comparable to a National Insurance Number (NINO) and handles all tax related issues linked to Corporation Tax (Limited Company), Self Assessment (Sole Trader/Directors), Payroll (PAYE) and VAT. Just like a NINO , your UTR stays with you all your life.

How do I get a UTR number?

You will automatically be sent a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR number) when you:
  • Register for Self Assessment
  • Set up a limited company

How long does it take to get my UTR number?

HMRC will usually send your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR number) in the post around two weeks after:
  1. Incorporation (Limited Company)
  2. Registering for Self Assessment (Sole Trader)

Letters are sent to the business address that is registered with Companies House (Limited Company) and to your correspondence address if you are registering as a sole trader or need to register for self assessment from other income, like landlord rental income or dividend pay-outs received.

What do I need a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for?

You will need a UTR number to register:
  • for Corporation Tax
    • You need to register for Corporation Tax not more than 3 months after you started trading!
  • as an Employer
  • for VAT
Do you need help with getting your business up and running?
Get in touch today
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