A limited company accountant is a qualified accounting professional who manages the financial and tax obligations of a UK private limited company (Ltd). This includes preparing and filing annual accounts with Companies House, calculating and submitting corporation tax returns to HMRC, processing payroll and PAYE, completing VAT returns, and advising company directors on tax-efficient ways to pay themselves through a combination of salary and dividends.
Why Limited Companies Need a Specialist Accountant?
Running a limited company in the UK has its own rules and tax obligations. It’s different from being self-employed as the company is a separate legal entity. This means you need to file separate accounts, pay business taxes, and keep up with Companies House, all in addition to handling your own personal tax matters as a director.
That’s why having a good limited company accountant is important. They understand everything the company needs to pay like corporation tax, annual accounts, VAT, payroll, and the confirmation statement as well as your personal responsibilities, such as self-assessment, dividends, and National Insurance. If you get an accountant who handles both sides, you’ll have a smoother, more tax-efficient setup. Without one, you could end up overpaying or running into compliance issues.
What a limited company accountant does?
The core responsibilities of a limited company accountant include:
- Preparing and filing statutory annual accounts with Companies House
- Calculating and filing the corporation tax return (CT600) with HMRC
- Processing monthly or weekly payroll and submitting Real Time Information (RTI) reports
- Completing and submitting VAT returns (quarterly or annually) under the appropriate scheme
- Filing the annual Confirmation Statement with Companies House
- Completing self-assessment tax returns for company directors and shareholders
- Advising on the most tax-efficient salary and dividend split each tax year
- Bookkeeping and bank reconciliation throughout the year
- Advising on allowable expenses the company can claim to reduce its taxable profit
- Providing guidance on IR35 and off-payroll working rules for contractors
- Supporting R&D tax credit claims where applicable
- Managing VAT registration and any required scheme changes
How We Help You Pay Less Tax Legally
Running a limited company can unlock smart tax savings but only if you follow what HMRC rules. We focus on clear, compliant tax planning that truly protects you and your business. No shady schemes. No pushing the limits. Just practical advice that puts more money in your company and in your pocket too.
Here’s how we make that happen.
Claim Every Allowable Expense
It’s surprising how many directors end up paying too much tax simply because they miss expenses they could have claimed.
We help you claim everything your company is entitled to, such as:
- Office costs and home office use
- Business travel and mileage
- Software and subscriptions
- Professional fees
- Equipment and tools
- Marketing and advertising
- Staff costs and training
We keep a close watch on your bookkeeping and ask the right questions so nothing slips through. If something fits HMRC’s rules, we’ll highlight it. If not, we’ll tell you straight.
This approach means you pay less Corporation Tax while staying compliant and you’re protected if HMRC ever comes calling.
Capital Allowances on Equipment and Assets
Buying equipment? Don’t just file the invoice and forget it. You can claim capital allowances and lower your tax bill.
What can you claim for? Things like:
- Computers and laptops
- Office furniture
- Vans and certain vehicles
- Machinery and specialist tools
We’ll check if you can use the Annual Investment Allowance or another relief. Claiming correctly means you reduce your taxable profit for the year.
We’ll also help with timing. Sometimes it’s best to buy before your year end to get the relief; other times, it’s smarter to wait. We’ll lay out the numbers so you can choose based on facts, not guesses.
Pension Contributions Through Your Limited Company
Pension contributions are one of the most tax-efficient ways to take money out of your company.
When your company pays into your pension as an employer contribution:
- The company receives Corporation Tax relief
- You do not pay Income Tax on the contribution
- You do not pay National Insurance on it
We’ll work out how much your company can contribute, based on profits and your personal tax situation. We’ll also make sure you stay within the annual allowance, so there are no unwanted surprises.
Research and Development Tax Relief
If you’re working on new products, systems, or software, R&D tax relief could be an option.
It’s not just for big tech companies, lots of UK limited companies can qualify: tech, engineering, product design, and more.
If eligible, your company could:
We’ll check if your work meets HMRC’s criteria. If it does, we’ll handle the paperwork and ensure your claim is thorough and accurate. We don’t inflate figures or cut corners. Accuracy and compliance come first.
Strategic Dividend Planning
Dividends are a popular way for directors to take income, but timing is crucial.
We consider:
- Your company profits
- Corporation Tax position
- Your personal tax bands
- The Dividend Allowance
- Your wider household income
By planning dividends at the right time, we can help you:
- Stay within lower tax bands where possible
- Avoid unnecessary higher rate tax
- Keep cash flow healthy inside the company
We also ensure dividends are only paid from retained profits and that the paperwork is correct. That way, you’re protected if HMRC checks your records.
Ethical, Proactive Tax Planning
Tax planning shouldn’t be a risk. As your limited company accountants, we help you make decisions based on the law as it stands today.
Here’s what you get from us:
- Keep up to date with changes in legislation
- Explain your options in plain English
- Show you the numbers before you act
- Document everything properly
Our goal is simple. We help you pay less tax, stay compliant, and protect your company’s reputation for the long term.
What is included in GoForma's limited company accounting service?
Limited Company Accounting Obligations and Filing Deadlines
Every private limited companyregistered in the UK must meet the following annual obligations, regardless of whether the company is trading or dormant. Missing these deadlines triggers automatic penalties from HMRC and Companies House.
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Obligation
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Deadline
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What it Means
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Annual accounts
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9 months after financial year end
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File full accounts with Companies House. Late filing triggers automatic penalties starting at £150 for 1 day late.
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Corporation tax return (CT600)
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12 months after financial year end
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File CT600 with HMRC. Corporation tax must be paid within 9 months and 1 day of year end.
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Corporation tax payment
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9 months + 1 day after year end
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Pay corporation tax to HMRC. Interest accrues immediately on late payment.
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Confirmation statement
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Annual — within 14 days of due date
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File with Companies House annually to confirm company details are up to date. Fee: £34 online, £62 paper.
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VAT return (if VAT registered)
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1 month + 7 days after VAT period end
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Submit quarterly VAT return and payment under Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules.
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PAYE / RTI submissions
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On or before each pay day
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Real Time Information submission to HMRC each time payroll is run.
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Director self-assessment
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31 January each year
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Personal self-assessment tax return and any tax payment due for the prior tax year.
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P60 to employees
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By 31 May
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Issue P60 to all employees (including director-employees) each year.
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As a GoForma client, every filing in the table above is managed by your dedicated accountant. We send deadline reminders, prepare all returns, and submit them on your behalf while you simply review and approve.
What is Included in GoForma's Limited Company Accounting Service?
We take care of all your accounting needs, so managing your limited company just feels smoother and a whole lot less stressful.
1. Company Registration
Launching a new business? We’ll get your company officially registered with Companies House, making sure everything’s done right from day one. Compliance with HMRC? Sorted.
2. Confirmation Statements
We handle your Companies House confirmation statement - preparation, submission, the whole lot. You stay compliant, your records stay fresh, and you avoid any unnecessary hassle.
3. Business Bank Account Set-Up
Keeping business and personal finances separate is non-negotiable. We’ll guide you through setting up a dedicated business bank account, making cash flow management and record-keeping a breeze.
4. Bookkeeping (Using FreeAgent)
No more manual transaction recording and expense tracking. Our team uses FreeAgent (provided at zero extra cost) to handle your bookkeeping, track expenses, and keep your accounts up to date, accurate, efficient, and easy.
5. Annual Accounts
Our CPA for limited companies prepare your annual company accounts for Companies House and HMRC, ticking every box and ensuring full compliance.
6. Corporation Tax Returns
Our ltd company accountants will calculate your corporation tax liability, highlight opportunities for savings, and file your CT600 on time. No last-minute panic, just reliable compliance.
7. VAT Registration & Returns
Reached the VAT threshold? We’ll manage the VAT registration process and take care of your ongoing VAT returns. You stay compliant and in control, no more VAT confusion or late submissions.
8. P11D Forms
If your business offers benefits or expenses to employees, we’ll handle the P11D paperwork for you. Accurate reporting, timely submissions, and no compliance worries.
9. Self-Assessment Tax Return (for 1 director)
Director, we’ve got your self-assessment covered. From prep to filing, all your personal and business income gets declared correctly, so you avoid any HMRC surprises.
10. Payroll
Payroll needs to run smoothly—every time. Our accountant for ltd company will process salaries, manage payslips, handle tax and pensions, and make sure your employees are paid promptly. Reliable, hassle-free, and always compliant.
11. Business Advisory
You want growth, efficiency, and smart planning. Our expert online accountants for limited companies deliver practical advice tailored to your business, from financial strategies to tax optimisation, helping you make confident decisions and hit your targets.
12. Company Dissolution & Business Closure
If you decide to stop trading, we can help close your company in a compliant and stress-free way. Our accountants prepare the final accounts, handle HMRC obligations, and manage the dissolution application with Companies House.
If you're planning to wind down your business, explore our company dissolution service.
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Service
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What it includes
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Annual accounts (statutory)
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Preparation and filing of your company's full year-end accounts with Companies House
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Corporation tax return (CT600)
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Calculation of your company's corporation tax liability and submission of the CT600 to HMRC by the legal deadline.
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Self-assessment tax return
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Completion and filing of personal self-assessment tax return for one director or shareholder.
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Payroll (PAYE)
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Monthly director payroll including RTI submissions to HMRC, payslips, and P60 at year end.
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VAT returns
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Quarterly VAT return preparation and submission under the appropriate scheme (standard, flat rate, cash accounting).
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Confirmation statement
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Annual confirmation statement filing with Companies House — included on Start and Operate packages, or available as an add-on.
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FreeAgent software
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Full access to FreeAgent cloud accounting software (RRP £330/yr), including automatic bank feeds, invoicing, and real-time tax estimates.
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Company registration
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Free limited company registration.
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London registered office
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Use of GoForma's London EC1 address as your registered office and business address, with digital mail scanning.
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Bookkeeping support
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Review and reconciliation of transactions in FreeAgent, plus guidance on categorising expenses correctly.
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Tax planning advice
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Proactive advice on salary/dividend split, pension contributions, allowable expenses and other tax efficiency measures before year end.
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WhatsApp, email & phone access
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Direct access to your named accountant by WhatsApp, email, phone and live chat.
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Why Limited Companies Choose GoForma
Selecting the right accountant isn’t just a box-ticking exercise, it genuinely shapes how efficiently your business operates. At GoForma, we focus on keeping things simple, transparent, and tailored for your unique requirements. That’s the reason so many limited companies trust us:
- Fixed monthly fees with no hidden costs
- Dedicated accountant who knows your business
- Easy-to-use cloud accounting software included
- Proactive tax advice
- Certified Accountants
- Dedicated Support
- Proactive tax advice
- Affordable packages
- Trusted by thousands of UK limited companies
Ready to Work With Limited Company Accountants Who Actually Add Value?
Running a limited company comes with responsibilities, but the right accountants can make all the difference. They provide clarity, help you stay organised, and give advice that’s truly relevant to current UK tax regulations.
Looking to partner with limited company accountants who genuinely support your business growth? Let’s have a conversation.
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