Contractor Mortgages Contractor Pensions Contractors

Financial Services for Contractors
Contractor Pensions, Contractor Mortgages and Income Protection (PHI) - get online quotes and advice today.

How to open a limited company bank account

Posted Aug 27, 2009

If you are a limited company contractor, one of the first things you need to do is open a dedicated business bank account. We look at the steps you need to take complete the process.

Unlike sole trading, where your personal and business income are treated as one, as a limited company director your personal and business finances are kept completely separate.

Choosing a business account

When choosing a bank account, there are a number of things you should consider:

1) Your personal bankers may not necessarily provide the most competitive business account offerings (but there is also a convenience factor of using the same provider).

2) You could benefit from opening a separate business savings account for any VAT and corporation tax liabilities you build up.

3) Even if interest rates are not currently worth comparing, many banks offer 2 years free business banking, or at least very low transaction charges.

Read more in our guide to choosing a contractor company bank account.

Opening your account

Having informed your chosen bank that you want to do business with them, you will typically need to meet up with a 'small business banker'.

Assuming you have a UK-registed company, you will need to take along various bits of paperwork, such as:

1) Certificate of incorporation - with your company name and number.

2) Passport and/or Drivers licence to prove your own identity.

3) Recent utilitiy bills and personal bank statements (if you don't already have a personal account there).

In theory, you'd expect to have a bank account opened within 7-10 days at most, although many contractors may have experienced less than impressive service from some high street names.

If you haven't received confirmation of your new account details in this time, chase up your contact in the business banking section.

Business banking resources

For general small business banking guides, try Bytestart's business banking section

All content ©Contract Eye Ltd. Protected by Copyscape. Please scroll down for related articles.

Contractor Services


Related Articles

How to deal with late payment problems
Here are some proactive steps you can take to maximise the chances of getting your invoices paid on time.

Contractor mortgages - steps to buying a new property
For contractors thinking of buying a new property, there are a number of typical stages you can expect to pass through from securing a mortgage offer, to completing on your new home.

Choosing an IT contractor bank account
If you're starting out as a limited company contractor, here are some tips for choosing the best business bank account for your company.

How can salary sacrifice arrangements reduce your tax bill?
Both umbrella and limited company contractors can benefit from significant tax breaks on pension investments. Our guide to salary sacrifice arrangements for contractors.

Advice for contractors looking to secure a mortgage before year-end
With only eight weeks to go, the rush is on for contractors looking to move before Christmas. The good news is you still have time to secure a mortgage if you act now.

Guide to IT contractor pensions
An overview of contractor pensions, and what to look out for when choosing a scheme provider.

Guide to IT contractor mortgages
IT contractor mortgages - how to get the best deals based on your contract rate. Includes an online mortgage enquiry form.

Contractors to benefit from state pension reform
The Government's plan to introduce a £140 per week flat rate state pension for all will be welcomed within the contractor community, says a leading IFA.

Contractor pensions - act now before tax relief changes take effect
Contractor pensions offer a great opportunity to reduce the amount that you pay in tax. There is still time to act before the pension tax relief rules take effect April 6th 2011.

How can contractors get mortgages in the tougher regulatory environment?
Following the changes which have taken place in the mortgage market since the credit crunch began, we look at the options currently available to contractors who want to get on the housing ladder.

How contractors will be affected by the new pension tax relief rules
As part of the Government's ongoing cost cutting measures, new pension rules will apply for from 2011 which reduce the amount of tax relief available on contributions.

Contractor pension tax relief benefits slashed by Coalition
The tax saving benefits of contractor pensions are set to take a significant knock from April 2011 as the tax free limit is slashed in the Coalition's ongoing drive to ensure that the better off share the pain.

FSA to tighten mortgage lending rules
The FSA has outlined its plans to make the process of applying for a mortgage more stringent. There are fears that the self-employed (contractors included) may find it even harder to secure a mortgage loan.

Contractor mortgage repayment calculator
Mortgage calculator for IT contractors which works out both repayment and interest only payments for a variety of interest rates.

How offset mortgages can offer flexibility to contractors
Offset mortgages can offer great flexibility for contractors, and can also save tax. An overview of what offset mortgage are, and how best to make use of them.

Qdosconsulting

Looking for a new service provider?

Accountants
Umbrella Companies