We offer a range of services for international businesses that are considering setting up business in the United Kingdom.

Company formation and registration

We are able to assist with every aspect of company formation and set up in the United Kingdom.

Several legal structures are available for running a business in the UK. For instance, you could set up a UK company, often a subsidiary of your ultimate holding company, or establish a branch or representative office of the parent organisation.

Different options will suit individual circumstances and we can advise on all forms, including joint ventures and corporate structures if required. We can help you decide which structure is most suited to your needs and can then provide a 'ready made' company, or one tailored to your own requirements from incorporation.

We have a specialist company secretarial services division which will attend to all your registration formalities. In addition, our City of London address, or any of the premises of our UK member firms, are available for use as the registered office of your company.

After registration, this division can deal with all compliance aspects including maintenance of statutory records and the preparation and filing of annual returns and other documents.

Business information

We can provide you with information on potential partners, sellers, distributors or competitors.

Raising finance

Our extensive contacts include venture capital organisations, banks, stockbrokers and other financial institutions in both the City of London and throughout the UK. We can assess your requirements and arrange introductions with suitable contacts, advise on terms and assist you in negotiations. We can also help with applications for grants available from the Government and other agencies.

Taxation

Your company will be liable to UK taxes if it is resident in the UK or if it carries on a trade in the UK through a branch or agency. We can advise you on your international group structure, including planning the repatriation of profits by the use of interest, dividends and royalties in order to minimise your UK tax liabilities.

Similarly, your personal tax liability will depend on whether you are resident, ordinarily resident and/or domiciled in the UK.

Early tax planning is essential before arrival in the UK and during your residence here. Our tax experts have extensive experience in advising businesses and individuals on international tax issues.

VAT and duty

All businesses over a certain turnover must register for the purposes of VAT (UK sales tax). Our VAT team can arrange for your organisation's registration.

Involvement in a new venture may provide opportunities for VAT and duty savings if specialist advice is sought at the outset. Transactions can be organised to minimise VAT and duty costs, and accounting systems implemented that maximise VAT cashflow.

VAT is a complex and frequently changing area of taxation and early professional advice is essential.

Other services for international businesses

We can advise you on the most appropriate records and systems for your company. Some of the services we offer include:

• bookkeeping - from basic records to trial balance
• management accounting - regular tailored reports for effective decision making
• payroll - calculation, payment and compliance
• audit services - advice and assistance on statutory auditing

Corporate recovery and insolvency

Things don't always go to plan. Your foreign subsidiary may not perform as well as expected or financial problems may arise.

Whatever the issue, examining your immediate cash requirements; restructuring bank and equity financing; disposing of any surplus business assets; how to maximise your debt recovery; or turnaround and recovery advice early assessment and advice is vital.

The next step

Our 'Doing business in the UK' publication is a key tool for international business owners looking to set-up or expand into the UK. This useful resource provides a wide range of information on all aspects of the set-up including a summary of the local business environment, employment and taxation issues, accounting and reporting requirements and details of our locations in the UK.

If you would prefer to receive a hard copy of this publication, please contact our marketing department on +44 (0) 20 7216 4600 or at marketing@uhy-uk.com.