Introduction
When a person sets up in business he or she has to decide on the medium through which the business is to be conducted. Making a careful choice is vital as it can contribute to the success or failure of the venture itself.
Issues to be considered include:
There are a variety of other business mediums (including unincorporated associations, limited partnerships, unlimited companies and companies limited by guarantee rather than shares) which may be appropriate in particular circumstances.
Issues to be considered include:
- how the business will be funded
- how the business will be managed
- how profits are to be taken
- any plans for a future exit route from the business
- the levels of tax the business will have to pay
- the keeping of accounts
- the extent to which individuals will be personally liable for acts and debts of the business
- the expectations of your customers and suppliers
- the legal jurisdiction in which the business will be based
- the jurisdictions in which the business will trade
- Sole trader
- Partnership
- Limited liability partnership
- Private company
- Public company
There are a variety of other business mediums (including unincorporated associations, limited partnerships, unlimited companies and companies limited by guarantee rather than shares) which may be appropriate in particular circumstances.