Make sure your business gets off to the right start by remembering these important characteristics of a good business name

If you will be operating as a sole trader you can work under your own name but, as with a Limited Company, you could choose another name for your business.

Appropriate

Consider the types of clients you are hoping to gain and make sure your business name conveys the right message; be it friendly & dependable or professional & efficient. 

Easy to remember

Running your own business means everyone you meet is a potential client.  Make it easier for people to remember you by keeping your business name simple, or by operating under your own name.  Choosing a flashy and unique-sounding name could work against you.

Short and pronouncable

Bear in mind the number of times you will need to spell out your business name over the telephone, especially if you plan to use the name in your business email address.  If your own name has always been difficult for people to spell, consider other options.

Informative

Don't beat around the bush and make it hard for potential clients to understand what you do.  It makes a lot of sense for you to include the word bookkeeper or bookkeeping in your business name.  

Although it is not always the case, clients who are looking for a bookkeeper can be put off by the word accountancy as it suggests a firm of accountants. If you are as clear as possible about the nature of your business you should also reduce the likelihood of interested parties calling you wanting an accountant and expecting you to carry out complicated tax calculations. We would therefore suggest that you steer clear of the term Accountancy, and rather opt for Bookkeeping, or even Accounts and Accounting if necessary.

Allowed

Sole traders and Limited Companies are restricted from using sensitive words in their business name such as any words that indicate affiliation with the Government, any offensive words, or any expressions that describe a particular type of company, such as Limited Company, unless used correctly.

Available

Visit the Companies House WebCheck to ensure that no one else is already using your chosen business name.  You might also wish to check if the corresponding domain name is available if you are planning to set up your own website.

For sole traders

Even if you will be using your own name, you still need to make sure it is not being used by someone else in your local area. After checking the Companies House WebCheck you should also check for unincorporated businesses through local papers and the internet.  If your namesake is operating an unrelated business at the opposite end of the country then you should be fine to go ahead and use your name. 

For Limited Companies

If you are forming a Limited Company you must use the word Limited or Ltd after your business name and register it with Companies House. Ensure that you comply with its rules.

Companies House Incorporation Guidance

Examples of Business Names

For sole traders

An ICB full Member called Mr David A Jones could set himself up as a sole trader under his own name:

David Jones Bookkeeping
D Jones Bookkeeping
DA Jones Certified Bookkeeper

Alternatively David Jones could use a Trading As name - any name under which a company or person trades that is not either their own personal name or the registered name of the company.

David Jones could trade under the following names for example:

DAJ Bookkeeping
Basingstoke Bookkeeping
Dave's Bookkeeping
A1 Bookkeeping

If you choose a Trading As name, rather than your own name, you must still state your full name as Proprietor on all Letterheads, Invoices, and other legal documents. 

Stationery requirements

For Limited Companies

Limited companies can use the same names as in the Trading As section, Example:

Basingstoke Bookkeeping Limited
A1 Bookkeeping Ltd

providing they do not duplicate a name already registered with Companies House. 

Displaying your Business Name

Both sole traders and Limited Companies are subject to the requirement to make their identity clear to their clients and display certain information across letterheads and other stationery. 

Stationery Requirements

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