Start your business
on solid ground.
Comprehensive support for new businesses from day one — structure advice, registration, systems setup, and ongoing guidance.
Starting a Business Right
The decisions you make when starting a business have long-lasting consequences. Choosing the wrong structure, missing an HMRC registration deadline, or setting up inadequate accounting systems can cost significantly more to fix later than getting them right at the outset.
We work with new business owners from the very beginning — advising on structure, handling registrations, setting up cloud accounting, and providing the financial foundation your business needs to grow with confidence.
What We Help With
The first decision — and often the most consequential — is choosing the right business structure. We walk you through the practical differences between operating as a sole trader, a limited company, or in partnership, covering liability, tax efficiency, administrative requirements, and how the choice affects your ability to bring in investors or employees down the line. Once the structure is agreed, we handle registration with HMRC and, if incorporating, with Companies House — including registering for corporation tax, self assessment, and PAYE where required.
We set up your accounting software from day one, configuring Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent to reflect your business correctly — the right chart of accounts, VAT settings, and bank feeds. This means you start with clean, organised records rather than having to retrospectively untangle months of transactions later. If your turnover is likely to exceed the VAT registration threshold (£90,000), we register you for VAT at the appropriate time and advise on which VAT scheme is most advantageous for your type of business.
For businesses that plan to employ staff, we set up payroll, handle auto-enrolment obligations, and register for PAYE with HMRC. We also provide first-year tax planning — looking at how to structure your remuneration, what expenses to keep records of, and what elections or registrations might be worth putting in place early to improve your tax position as you grow.
Why Choose Brathwaite?
Business structure advice — sole trader vs limited company, with full pros and cons
Company registration with Companies House and HMRC in as little as 24 hours
Cloud accounting setup — Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage configured for your business
Opening bookkeeping, VAT registration, and PAYE setup if required
First-year tax planning to start your business in the most efficient structure
Ongoing support as you grow — we scale with you
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I start as a sole trader or limited company?
The right structure depends on your profit expectations, risk tolerance, and future plans. Sole trader status is simpler and cheaper to run; a limited company offers personal liability protection and can be more tax-efficient above certain profit levels. We assess your specific situation and recommend the most suitable option.
What do I need to do when starting a business?
The key steps include: choosing your business structure, registering with HMRC (and Companies House if incorporating), setting up a business bank account, establishing your accounting system, registering for VAT if applicable, and setting up payroll if you plan to employ staff. We guide you through every step.
How soon do I need an accountant after starting up?
Ideally, before you start. Getting the structure right from day one avoids costly mistakes later — from choosing the wrong entity type to setting up inefficient systems. The earlier we are involved, the more value we can add to your financial foundation.
What does startup accounting cost?
Our startup packages are fixed-fee and transparent. The cost depends on the complexity of your business and the services you need. We will discuss your requirements and agree a clear fee before we begin — with no hidden extras.