Starting a Business in the UK: CM Beyer publishes practical guide
CM Beyer Limited has published a practical guide for anyone starting a business in the UK. The guide covers business structure selection, company formation, post-incorporation essentials, tax registration, compliance obligations and a 90-day startup checklist — drawn from the Company’s own experience of incorporation and from advising clients through the CMB Core division.
Download the full guide (PDF) →
Choosing the right structure
The guide compares the three most common business structures — sole trader, limited company and limited liability partnership — across formation cost, personal liability, tax implications, administrative burden and commercial credibility. For most businesses with growth ambitions, a private limited company provides the best balance of liability protection, tax efficiency and credibility. A limited company can be incorporated online through Companies House for £12 in under 24 hours.
Post-incorporation essentials
Forming a company is the easy part. The guide details six critical post-incorporation steps that many new business owners overlook or delay: HMRC registration for Corporation Tax, PAYE and VAT; opening a dedicated business bank account; setting up accounting software and bookkeeping processes; obtaining required insurance (employers’ liability, professional indemnity, public liability); ICO registration for data protection at £40 per year; and trade mark registration to protect the brand.
Each section includes practical advice on timelines, costs and common mistakes. The trade mark section, for example, notes that registration costs £170 per class and takes approximately four months — and that CM Beyer’s own trade mark (UK00004349102) covers Classes 35 and 36 for business management and financial services.
Tax overview
The guide includes a tax reference table covering Corporation Tax (19-25%), VAT (20% standard rate, mandatory above £90,000 turnover), Income Tax on director salary, Dividend Tax rates, and employer and employee National Insurance Contributions. It highlights the importance of setting aside 25-30% of profits for tax from the outset, and the risk of underestimating first-year Corporation Tax liabilities.
The first 90 days
A 12-point checklist covers everything from company registration through to website launch and accountant appointment. The guide emphasises that the most common mistakes made by new businesses are mixing personal and business finances, ignoring filing deadlines (Companies House late filing penalties start at £150), underestimating tax liabilities, and delaying professional advice.
The guide is designed to be a reference document that founders can return to as they progress through each stage of business setup. It is not a substitute for professional accounting or legal advice, but it provides the framework within which those professional conversations can be more productive.
Download the full guide (PDF) →
For advice on starting or structuring a UK business, contact CMB Core at sales@cmbeyer.co.uk.
