What’s neat about 1 Accountant is that they don’t just register your business; they guide you through structure selection, Companies House registration, and setting up accounting systems. It’s convenient to have everything handled in one place, especially if it’s your first time. 

If you want to focus on growth after registering your company, they also cover administrative and financial tasks, such as bookkeeping, payroll, VAT submissions, and tax returns. We also noticed their strong compliance and accuracy, avoiding errors, penalties, and delays. 

That said, we like their tiered packages; you can start small and upgrade services as you expand rather than switching providers. 

On the flipside, we find their company services a bit limited when it comes to the setups they provide. You might have to look elsewhere if your company is on the more complex side or has niche company structures. 

Still, we can’t deny their reliable services and offerings for startups and SMEs.

Amazing support from day 1 

“Amazing support from day 1 of my business ownership journey. Much more than an accountant and more of an adviser always looking for ways of supporting me as a business owner. A great mentor for me and I would highly recommend their services.”

Sheena Doyle, Google Review

Extremely competent at his job 

“I found Noemaan of The 1 Business Group to be extremely competent at his job and professional when advising me on some contracts for my company and on consultant contracts and fee agreements for people I was looking to work with as intermediaries for my business. The pricing for his services was very good and fair for the work being done and I would definitely recommend The 1 Business Group and Noemann to anyone looking for help in terms of accountancy or on legal and contract issues.”

Gianluca Vitelli, Google Review

We love that Thorntons Solicitors has the qualification and expertise to guide and assist you with company formation, governance, and long-term structuring. In other words, you can expect legal input as early as the formation stage, which is a plus if your business involves shareholders. 

And since they provide legal services, they can prepare tailored documents, including articles of association and shareholders’ agreements in-house. This means your company won’t have to use generic templates since it’ll be structured around your ownership, roles, and long-term plans. 

Their guidance on helping you choose the right business structure is another plus. We appreciate how they help you understand the implications of liability, ownership, and financing to avoid ending up with an inefficient or wrong structure. 

Just note that their fees are on the pricier side, especially since it’s a law firm. But hey, the peace of mind you get with their legal expertise is worth the investment. 

Efficient and competent 

“Would really recommend Thorntons. From the get go they were professional, efficient and competent. Everything went smoothly and as planned. Thank you”

Alma Piotrowicz, Google Review

Excellent service 

“Excellent service from a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable team. Highly recommended.”

Simon Turner, Google Review

One of the main standouts about Icon Offices is that they provide company registration services for both UK and non-UK residents. They provide virtual offices and registered office services, making UK company formation more accessible to international entrepreneurs.

We learned that you can register your company using one of their addresses and receive official correspondence through their mail handling services. Thanks to this, you comply with Companies House rules while keeping your personal address private. 

They take care of all key documents, including the certificate of incorporation, articles of association, and shareholder details via email, saving you from all the hassle. We’re glad that they walk you through follow-up steps, such as receiving HMRC and Companies House codes.

But we did come across some frustrations about their unresponsiveness, particularly with unreturned calls. You’ll probably have to call them first thing to avoid busy lines. 

The good news is that their online company registration is quick and straightforward, usually completed in 1-2 days. 

Reliable and trustworthy partner for company formation 

“I recently used Icon Offices to register my company in the UK and I couldn’t be happier with the service. The whole experience was smooth from start to finish, with clear guidance, fast responses, and a very professional approach. Everything was explained in simple terms, and the team made sure my documents were submitted correctly without any delays. Their support saved me both time and effort, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants a reliable and trustworthy partner for company formation.”

Adnan Jillani, Google Review

Quick turnaround time 

“I highly recommend Icon Office for anyone seeking reliable and efficient company registration services. Their quick turnaround time, coupled with exceptional customer support, sets them apart in the industry. I am genuinely satisfied with their services and look forward to a continued partnership with them for my business needs.”

Ali Minhas, Google Review

With over 30 years of experience, The Kelvin Partnership has worked with businesses ranging from sole traders to large companies and even charities. 

We love their hands-on approach; they basically act like a mentor through each stage of company formation, alongside an accountant from start to finish. This is a lifesaver, especially for first-time founders, ultimately avoiding costly mistakes or confusion. 

It’s also worth highlighting that they advise on whether to operate as a sole trader, a partnership, or a limited company. Choosing the right structure is crucial since it affects tax efficiency, liability, and scalability. 

The catch? Their fees and quotes are on the pricier side, and compared to others on this list, their process can feel longer, given that it involves planning, consultation, and tailored advice rather than instant online setup.

On the bright side, you won’t have to stress about compliance errors or penalties. They ensure Companies House incorporation is completed correctly and provide ongoing support. 

Friendly and engaging approach 

“I was delighted to be introduced to The Kelvin Partnership. Very professional service yet with a friendly and engaging approach. Highly recommend.”

Cliff Gillis, Google Review

Very approachable 

“Excellent service from a firm of very professional accountants and tax advisers. Brian is very approachable and takes his time to talk over anything from something simple to complex.”

S Ahmed, Google Review

A&A Accountants Glasgow has over 40 years of experience supporting businesses across Scotland. This means they have worked with all sorts of businesses and have a deep understanding of the nuances in company formations.

Speaking of company formations, they’re a dependable partner for first-time business owners; you can benefit from clear guidance, little to no confusion, and avoid costly errors. 

We also like that they offer new business start-up packages with low-cost monthly options. A business requires more than just formation, so we believe it’s handy that their package usually includes VAT, payroll, accounting systems, and financial planning.

Here’s the thing, though: we noticed that they don’t focus on advanced structures like multi-entity groups or investor-heavy companies. You might have to look elsewhere if your business involves complex ownership or funding structures.

Nonetheless, we have to give them props for providing solid company formation services, especially for those who want to cover financial and advisory aspects as well. 

Always keen on giving advice 

“I have been a client with A&A accountants since I arrived in Glasgow a few years ago and so far they have been the best. They helped me set up my company, did the accounts and the VAT / tax returns in the smoothest way possible. They always are keen on giving advice and also worked so well with the lawyers and the previous accounting firm. They are nice and work all across Scotland since I am no longer physically based in Glasgow, their online system is very easy. I highly recommend.”

Edouard Duban, Google Review

The response times are good 

“As a first time owner of a Limited company, the various requirements from Companies House and HMRC was daunting, especially as I had no background or expertise in these areas. Fortunately enough, this is where A&A were very great.

Since day one, A&A have been really helpful and have been able to take me step by step through all the legal requirements. The response times are good and they are always a quick phone call or e-mail away. Regardless of how silly the questions may be, they are always on hand to break things down in a way someone from a non-accountancy background can understand.”

Miro Slav, Google Review