Online accounting for limited companies
Keep your company compliant. Make decisions with clarity.
Whether you’re running the company yourself or building a team, we’ll keep your accounts, Corporation Tax, bookkeeping and payroll on track, support you when it’s time to register for VAT, and help you understand the numbers behind your decisions.
Quick start
Start your company enquiry
Enter the key details first. Companies House lookup can help speed up the next steps.
Who we support
Accounting support that fits the way your company operates.
Limited companies come in different shapes and sizes. We tailor the support around how your company works now, with room to adapt as things change.
Companies run by one or two directors
For directors managing most areas of the business themselves, we’ll keep the financial responsibilities clear and provide dependable support without the cost of an in-house finance team.
Contractors and consultants
If you provide your skills through a limited company, we’ll manage the company’s accounts and tax responsibilities and help you understand your options for paying yourself.
Small companies with a team
As employees, payroll, bookkeeping and VAT add to the workload, we’ll help keep each part connected and completed on time.
Growing companies
When the business is developing, up-to-date figures become increasingly important. We’ll provide clearer financial information to support planning, cash flow and confident decisions.
Where we can bring clarity
Running a company brings more responsibilities. You don’t have to manage them alone.
Many directors come to us because the company’s finances have become difficult to follow, deadlines are approaching or they are no longer getting the guidance they need. We’ll identify what requires attention and explain the next steps clearly.
What needs to be filed—and when?
We’ll help you understand the deadlines affecting your company, including annual accounts, Corporation Tax, Companies House filings, VAT and payroll where relevant.
What is the right way to pay myself?
We’ll explain the options available for taking money from the company, including salary and dividends, and help ensure the necessary records and reporting are in place.
How much should I put aside for Corporation Tax?
We’ll help you monitor the company’s likely tax position so upcoming payments can be planned for rather than arriving as a surprise.
Is it time to register for VAT?
We’ll monitor turnover, explain what registration would mean for the company and help you prepare when the time comes.
Are my books accurate and up to date?
Reliable bookkeeping supports every other accounting decision. We can review the records, correct problems and establish a more dependable routine.
Am I making the most of the company’s finances?
We’ll help you understand profitability, cash flow, expenses and the figures behind the business so you can make better-informed decisions.
Limited-company accounting services
Core compliance, connected to the wider business.
Start with the services your company needs now, then add support as its responsibilities grow. We’ll recommend a package based on your records, deadlines and how much you want us to handle.
Annual accounts and Corporation Tax
We’ll prepare the company’s annual accounts and Corporation Tax return, explain the figures and make sure you understand what needs paying and when.
Bookkeeping
Keep income, expenses and bank transactions organised throughout the year, giving you more reliable information and making year-end accounts easier to complete.
VAT
We’ll support the company when it is time to register, help maintain the necessary digital records and prepare and submit VAT returns.
Payroll
From director payroll to paying a growing team, we’ll handle calculations, payslips and the required reporting to HMRC.
Management information and guidance
Regular reporting can give you a clearer view of profitability, cash flow and performance. We’ll help you understand what the figures mean and use them when making decisions.
Director and company support
We can advise on salary, dividends, expenses and director responsibilities, support personal Self Assessment where required, and provide guidance around Confirmation Statements and company deadlines.
Registered office and director service address
Use a Forest Finance address as your company’s registered office and as the service address for its directors. This can help keep home addresses private and ensure official correspondence is handled efficiently. Post can be scanned and emailed to you or physically forwarded, depending on your preference.
More than year-end compliance
Better visibility. Fewer surprises. More confident decisions.
Your accounts should do more than record what happened months ago. With the right information and support, they can help you stay compliant, plan ahead and run the company with greater confidence.
Company deadlines stay under control
Know what needs to be completed, what information is required and when each responsibility is due.
Fewer tax surprises
Monitor the company’s likely tax position and plan upcoming payments with more confidence.
Numbers you can actually use
Understand profitability, cash flow and performance without having to interpret accounting reports alone.
Clearer director decisions
Get guidance when considering salary, dividends, expenses, investment or changes to the company.
Less time spent on financial administration
Keep recurring work organised so bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and year-end accounts do not become last-minute distractions.
Support that adapts as the company grows
Add services and more detailed reporting as the company’s turnover, team and responsibilities develop.
A connected accounting routine
Your bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and year-end accounts should work together.
Keeping each responsibility within one organised process means fewer duplicated tasks, more reliable records and a clearer view of the company throughout the year.
Keep the day-to-day records current
Record sales, purchases, expenses and bank transactions consistently, keeping the company’s finances separate and organised.
Complete recurring reporting
Where relevant, use the same records to support VAT returns, payroll reporting and other regular responsibilities.
Prepare the annual accounts and Corporation Tax return
Accurate records flow into the year-end process, reducing the need to reconstruct the company’s finances months later.
Use the information to look ahead
Review profitability, cash flow and performance so the figures can support decisions—not just compliance.
FreeAgent support
Forest Finance uses FreeAgent across its company accounting services. We’ll help you set it up, connect the relevant bank accounts and understand the features you need for invoicing, expenses and day-to-day records. You don’t need previous accounting-software experience.
Getting started
A straightforward move to clearer company accounting.
Whether you’ve recently formed the company, need more ongoing support or want to change accountants, we’ll make the process clear and manageable.
Tell us about the company
Search for your company using the Companies House lookup and tell us what support you need. You don’t need to have every record or answer ready before getting in touch.
Receive your proposal
We’ll review the company’s circumstances, recommend the appropriate services and explain the fixed fee clearly before you decide to proceed.
Leave the setup and handover to us
We’ll collect the information we need, organise the accounting records and help set up FreeAgent and the relevant ongoing processes.
Stay supported
Once everything is in place, we’ll keep you informed about deadlines, answer questions and adapt the support as the company develops.
Already have an accountant?
We’ll contact your existing accountant, manage the professional-clearance handover and help transfer the records needed to continue your accounting work.
What our clients say
Support from the company’s first steps.
“Forest Finance has been awesome holding our hands as we set up and prepare to launch our company. I can’t recommend them enough.”
Richard Chambers · Forest Finance client
★★★★★
Limited company FAQs
Common questions from company directors.
What are the main accounts and Corporation Tax deadlines?
A company’s first accounts are normally due at Companies House 21 months after incorporation. After that, annual accounts are usually due nine months after the financial year ends. Corporation Tax is normally payable nine months and one day after the accounting period ends, while the Company Tax Return is due within 12 months. We’ll confirm the dates that apply to your company and keep them visible.
Does every limited company need annual accounts?
Active limited companies generally need to prepare annual accounts and a Company Tax Return, even when the company is small. Dormant companies have different requirements. We’ll confirm what applies and handle the relevant work.
What is the best way to pay myself as a director?
Directors may receive salary, dividends or a combination of the two, depending on the company’s profits and their circumstances. We’ll explain the available options, the records required and the associated company and personal tax responsibilities.
Do company directors need to complete Self Assessment?
Being a director does not automatically mean the same answer applies in every case. A return may be required where you receive dividends or have other untaxed income. We’ll review your circumstances and support the return where needed.
When does my company need to register for VAT?
A company must normally register when its VAT-taxable turnover exceeds the current £90,000 threshold. Voluntary registration may also be appropriate in some circumstances. We’ll monitor turnover and help you understand the timing and implications.
Can I use Forest Finance as the company’s registered address?
Yes. We offer a registered office address for the company and a service address for its directors, helping protect personal privacy and keep official correspondence organised. Post can be scanned and emailed or physically forwarded.
Can you help if the company’s accounts or bookkeeping are behind?
Yes. We’ll review the records and deadlines, identify what needs correcting and agree the scope and cost of any catch-up work before proceeding.
Can you take over from my current accountant?
Yes. We’ll contact your existing accountant, manage professional clearance and arrange the transfer of the records and information needed to continue the company’s accounting work.
Company next step
Share your company setup and the support your directors need.
Tell us where you need help with company accounts, Corporation Tax, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll or director responsibilities.
Limited company route
A clearer company accounts and tax route.
We can use your company details where available, then recommend the right support around accounts, tax, payroll and records.
- Share your company details and current records position.
- Forest Finance checks the accounting, tax, VAT and payroll support that fits.
- You receive a clearer route for company compliance and ongoing support.
Useful if you are a director, recently incorporated, behind on records, or need connected bookkeeping, VAT and payroll support.
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