Make an enquiry
Specialist accounting services across Greater London and the Home Counties
Get In Touch

Subsidiary Accounting Services in
St Albans, Hertfordshire and London

If you’re part of an overseas group with a UK subsidiary, ensuring compliance with UK accounting and audit requirements is critical. At Gilberts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, we specialise in providing statutory audit and accounting services tailored to the needs of UK subsidiaries of international businesses.

As a well-established independent firm based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, we combine technical expertise with a hands-on, partner-led approach. Whether you need a statutory audit for a UK subsidiary, assistance with annual compliance or help setting up a new UK subsidiary company, we’re here to make the process straightforward and stress-free.

Get in touch today to discover how our specialist subsidiary accountants can enhance your financial reporting.

01727 220 880

Subsidiary Accounting Specialists in St Albans, Hertfordshire and London

We support global businesses with services including: 

Subsidiary Company Audit

Our experienced team delivers independent audits for UK subsidiaries, ensuring full compliance with statutory requirements. We assess financial records, internal controls and reporting processes to provide a clear, accurate picture of your UK entity's financial position. Whether required for UK thresholds or group reporting, our audits are efficient, thorough and aligned with international group needs.

Subsidiary Book Keeping Services

Accurate financial records are essential for compliance and effective decision-making. Our team provides reliable bookkeeping services for UK subsidiaries, ensuring your accounts are well-organised, up-to-date and aligned with statutory requirements. We help international businesses maintain clear records that support smooth reporting and audit readiness.

Subsidiary Audit Exemption

Some UK subsidiaries may qualify for audit exemption under specific conditions. Our team will assess your company’s eligibility and provide clear guidance on whether an audit is required. We help ensure compliance with exemption rules while avoiding unnecessary audit procedures where possible.

Setting up a UK Subsidiary Company

Expanding into the UK through a subsidiary is a strategic step for many international businesses. We provide clear, expert support throughout the setup process, ensuring your new UK entity is fully compliant from day one. From company formation to tax registration and reporting obligations, we guide you through each stage with practical advice and a focus on long-term compliance.

Choose the Right Legal Structure

When setting up a UK subsidiary, selecting the appropriate legal structure is a crucial first step. The most common approach is to establish a private limited company (Ltd), which offers limited liability and separates the UK entity's obligations from those of the overseas parent. However, other structures may also be appropriate depending on your goals, such as UK branches (establishments of overseas entities) or limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in specific scenarios. We’ll assess your group structure, commercial objectives and tax position to help determine the most effective setup for your UK operations.

Incorporate the Company with Companies House

The UK subsidiary must be registered with Companies House, the UK’s official register of companies. The incorporation process includes:
  • Choosing a unique company name
  • Providing a UK-registered office address
  • Appointing at least one director (can be a non-UK resident)
  • Defining the share structure and shareholders
  • Preparing a memorandum and articles of association

We can handle the entire company formation process for you, ensuring full compliance from day one.

Appoint Directors and Company Officers

Your UK subsidiary must have at least one director who can be of any nationality and does not need to reside in the UK. Directors are responsible for ensuring compliance with UK company law and regulatory filings. While appointing a company secretary is optional, it’s often beneficial for governance and administration. It’s important to maintain sufficient UK presence and control within the subsidiary to avoid Permanent Establishment (PE) issues for the overseas parent company. We can advise on structuring your UK operations to manage these risks effectively.

Register with HMRC for UK Taxes

After incorporation, the company must be registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for relevant taxes. We will ensure you are registered accurately and on time for:
  • Corporation Tax – Must be registered within three months of starting business activity
  • VAT – Mandatory registration if UK taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 (as of 2024). Voluntary registration is also an option
  • PAYE (Pay As You Earn) – Required if hiring UK-based employees

We’ll guide you through the registration process and advise on group VAT registration, if relevant.

Set Up a UK Business Bank Account

A UK bank account is essential for processing transactions, paying UK suppliers and managing payroll. Opening an account can be complex for overseas-owned companies, but we can support you by liaising with banks and providing the necessary documents, such as incorporation certificates and proof of beneficial ownership.

Ongoing Compliance and Reporting

Once trading, your UK subsidiary must meet a number of statutory requirements, including:
  • Filing annual accounts with Companies House
  • Submitting Corporation Tax returns and tax computations to HMRC
  • Preparing and filing confirmation statements
  • Maintaining statutory registers (directors, PSCs, etc.)

We provide full compliance services, including statutory accounts preparation, audit, tax filings and ongoing advisory support.

Why Choose Gilberts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers for Subsidiary Accounting Services?

We specialise in subsidiary accounting for international companies, ensuring compliance with UK regulations and simplifying cross-border financial management.

Every client is assigned a dedicated partner who provides hands-on oversight and strategic insight, guaranteeing consistent support and expert advice.

From audit exemptions to annual filings, we handle every aspect of subsidiary compliance, reducing administrative burdens and keeping you ahead of deadlines.

We leverage cutting-edge accounting software with a user-friendly portal, allowing you real-time visibility and seamless communication.

Our fee structures are straightforward and competitive, delivering expert service at a fair price without any surprises.

Operating from St Albans, we understand the local market while catering to global business needs, bridging the gap between UK regulations and international standards.

Why Trust the Team at Gilberts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers?

At Gilberts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, our team of experienced partners and senior accountants in St Albans take the time to understand your situation and provide a personal and trusted service. Whether you require accounting compliance, accounts preparation, VAT returns, taxation or tax-related services, business advice, business planning or strategic consulting, we can help take control and drive your business forward.

Richard Hattrell

Partner

Amanda Ruggles

Partner

Luke Parker

Partner

William Davy

Partner

Make an Enquiry

To enquire about our subsidiary accounting services in St Albans, Hertfordshire and London, contact our office today.
01727 220 880
office@gilberts.uk.com
Gilberts Chartered Accountants
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.