Company formation that gets your first ninety days in order
Company formation for contractors with a client lined up puts incorporation, the bank account, PAYE, VAT and software in the right order.
One Abacus was recommended to me by several friends and I truly owe them a huge favour as this company has been exemplary! As a new limited…Molly Eve Stevens · Read the reviews
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A few quick questions, then a plain recommendation and a fixed monthly fee in writing. About two minutes. No monthly tie in.
- Client ready for an invoice
- Company setup still unfinished
A signed contract can make the first invoice feel like the urgent part. The unanswered question is whether the company, registrations and your pay are ready before it goes out. The same gap appears when creative work outgrows sole trade.
One Abacus is a two-person accountancy practice in Brixton that forms and sets up limited companies for contractors, consultants and growing freelancers. One fixed monthly fee is agreed in writing, and the accountant doing the work answers the phone.
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- One fixed monthly fee, agreed in writing
- FreeAgent or Xero included
- Brixton, by appointment
What is ready before you start invoicing
Invoice from a ready company
The company and business bank account are arranged before client money starts moving.
Pay yourself with a plan
Salary, dividends and payroll are discussed before you begin taking money out.
Know every deadline before it arrives
You know what HMRC and Companies House expect, who handles it and when.
Where a rushed setup causes trouble later
The missed step often appears after the contract starts and money begins moving.
- Pay
“I sent the first invoice, then realised I had not decided how the company would pay me.”
Money has moved without a settled salary, dividend or payroll routine. That leaves decisions to be untangled later.
- PAYE
“I opened the company, then found out payroll should already have been part of how I paid myself.”
The director’s pay has started before PAYE and payroll have been considered together.
- VAT
“I agreed the day rate before checking whether VAT would change the invoice.”
The contract price is already agreed, so a late VAT decision can affect what reaches the bank.
- Sorted
What changes once the setup has an order
The company exists before you need it. PAYE and VAT are handled where needed. FreeAgent or Xero shows the routine from the first invoice.
Quick check · no email
If you cannot say whether the company is ready to invoice, how you will be paid and who handles each deadline, it is worth a conversation
Answer these three questions about the company you need this week.
Question 1 of 3
Do you know whether the company and bank account will be ready before you invoice?
Do you know how salary, dividends and IR35 affect the way you will be paid?
Do you know who handles payroll, VAT and each annual filing?
Your setup still has decisions that affect the first invoice and what follows it. Answer the quick questions, then Ryan can explain the right order.
Much of the setup is covered, with one area still worth checking. The first invoice example shows why that remaining step matters.
The main decisions are already covered. The setup guides can help you check the finer points before trading begins.
What changes when setup and ongoing work stay together
Incorporation creates the company, while the next decisions determine how it runs.
A registration service
Companies House incorporation is completed.
You arrange the bank account and tax registrations.
You decide how to pay yourself.
You track every filing date.
Setup with ongoing accounting
Incorporation and the next steps follow one plan.
PAYE and VAT are handled where needed.
Salary and dividends are discussed before money moves.
Payroll, VAT and annual filings stay with us.
What needs checking before the first invoice
A yes to each question means the main setup decisions are covered.
- 01
Will the company exist before you invoice?
Yes means the legal entity is ready for the client contract and invoice.
- 02
Is the business bank account separate and ready?
Yes means company money has a clear place to arrive and leave.
- 03
Has IR35 been considered for the contract?
Yes means the contract has been discussed before the work begins.
- 04
Do you know whether PAYE is needed?
Yes means payroll will begin at the right point.
- 05
Has the VAT position been checked?
Yes means VAT has been considered before the price and invoice are settled.
- 06
Do you know how you will pay yourself?
Yes means salary and dividends have been discussed before money moves.
- 07
Is the accounting software linked to the bank?
Yes means invoices and transactions can be handled as they happen.
- 08
Does every filing have someone responsible for it?
Yes means each deadline has a named owner.
What stays handled after incorporation
The setup leads into the monthly and annual work your company now requires.
The company is ready to trade
We handle incorporation and put the bank, PAYE, VAT and contract checks in order.
Pay and tax stay planned
Payroll, salary, dividends and software stay connected to what the company is doing.
Annual filings move off your desk
The accounts, corporation tax return, confirmation statement and director’s return are handled.
Entry 01
The first invoice reveals what setup missed
Contractors often arrive with the work agreed and no company ready to invoice.
Clients described by type. Names withheld.
What clients say
One Abacus was recommended to me by several friends and I truly owe them a huge favour as this company has been exemplary! As a new limited company myself and a novice to the contracting world I have had tons of questions and they have been dealt with promptly, effectively and in an approachable and really helpful manner. I couldn't recommend One Abacus enough!
I am currently using one Abacus for sorting out all my freelance accounts and i have to say everything has been perfect with my accountant. they are normally always available even on the weekends when you need something sorted out really quickly. they have sorting out everything from helping with mortgage and notifying when you to pay your tax. really nice and responsive people to talk to if you have questions.
One Abacus has provided me a comprehensive service, very professional accountant, but friendly at the same time, maximum availability, I couldn't be happier.
How the first ninety days get organised
Each step answers the next question before it can hold up your work.
The right setup is agreed
We discuss the contract, whether a limited company suits the work, IR35 and what must be ready first.
The company can start trading
The company is incorporated, with the bank account, PAYE and VAT arranged in the right order.
Invoicing and pay follow a routine
FreeAgent or Xero is configured, the bank feed is linked and salary and dividends are explained.
Every deadline has an owner
Payroll, VAT, annual accounts, corporation tax and your director’s return are assigned and planned.
Who this setup works for, and who it does not
It is not for charities or CICs.
It is not for construction or CIS-led businesses.
It is not designed for stock-heavy retail or e-commerce businesses with till systems.
We cannot sign off a return or filing we did not prepare.
The quick questions will show whether your work and the way you trade fit the service.
Questions contractors ask before setting up
Company formation: what does the monthly fee include afterwards?
The monthly package can cover FreeAgent or Xero, payroll, VAT returns, year-end accounts, corporation tax, the confirmation statement, the director’s self assessment and advice. The scope and one fixed monthly fee are agreed in writing before work starts, so you can see exactly what sits with One Abacus.
Company formation with an existing accountant: how does it work?
Responsibilities need to be agreed before anything starts. One Abacus can discuss the new setup with you and explain which work should sit with each firm. It only signs off work it has prepared itself, so the scope must be clear before the company begins trading.
Do I have to move to different accounting software?
No. One Abacus works with FreeAgent or Xero and will discuss which fits the way you trade. If you already use one, the setup can be checked and the bank feed connected. If you need to move, the steps are agreed with you and you are shown the day-to-day routine.
What happens with my current accountant if I move to One Abacus?
If you decide to move, One Abacus asks your current accountant for the handover information and picks up the next deadlines. You do not need to wait for your year end. Ryan agrees the fee and scope with you first, then arranges the handover and any new registrations during onboarding.
How long does it take to set up a limited company for contracting?
Companies House controls the incorporation process, and the bank account and tax registrations follow their own checks. One Abacus puts the tasks in the right order and tells you what can happen before the first invoice. Ryan will explain the likely sequence after learning when your contract starts.
Does every new limited company need PAYE and VAT registration?
Not every new company needs both from day one. The right registrations depend on how you will be paid, your turnover and the work you do. One Abacus checks the position with you, applies for PAYE and VAT where needed, and explains what each registration changes.
Three ways to take the next step
Get a recommendation for your setup
Answer a few quick questions, get a personalised recommendation, and if there is a fit Ryan will talk it through with you.
Get a free quote 02 · A question firstHave one question first?
Ask Ryan about your contract, timing or the fixed monthly fee before you decide.
Ask Ryan a question 03 · Still decidingStill deciding whether to incorporate?
Read the guides for the decisions, registrations and deadlines that come with a limited company.
Read the setup guides →