Finance and accounts

Includes information on accounting, bookkeeping, bankruptcy, cashflow, payroll and debt recovery.

Accounting and bookkeeping

Accounts management and bookkeeping

As the business owner, you’re responsible for ensuring your business keeps accurate financial records and accounts.

Business bank accounts

Information on setting up a bank account for your business, including sole trading and online banking.

Online and distance selling

Information on the regulations for online selling and how to accept online payments.

Your limited company's first accounts and Company Tax Return

How to align your deadlines for accounts and Company Tax Returns at the end of your limited company's first year.

How an accountant could help your business get funding

How an accountant can help you get funding for an idea or business. Includes how to find an accountant.

Business debt and bankruptcy

Apply for a moratorium

Request a six-week period of debt relief where you can plan your next move without legal action by creditors.

Business debt advice

Find out how to get advice about business debt and guidance and where to get information on debt and bankruptcy.

Check if a person or company is insolvent

Search for insolvencies, trust deeds and companies in receivership or liquidation.

Corporate insolvency

Information on the different steps you can take if your business faces financial difficulties.

Company Voluntary Arrangements

This is an alternative to liquidation. You reschedule payment to creditors over a fixed period using a Company Voluntary Arrangement to recover from insolvency.

Contact the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB)

Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) contact details. Find information on the bankruptcy process in Scotland.

Getting back money owed to your business

Recover money owed to your business – includes court claims, statutory demands, mediation and bankruptcy.

Liquidate your limited company

Liquidating a limited company guidance, including members' voluntary liquidation and creditors' voluntary liquidation.

Make a court claim for money

How to take legal action if someone owes you money, how much it will cost and what happens after you make a claim through the courts.

Object to a limited company being struck off

Object to a company's application to be removed from the companies register.

Protect your limited company from compulsory liquidation

Defend your company against a statutory demand or a winding up petition - disputing the debt, getting an injunction and challenging the petition in court.

Register as a creditor in a bankruptcy case

If you're owed money in a bankruptcy case, contact the Accountant in Bankruptcy or insolvency practitioner to register as a creditor and make a claim for the money you're owed.

Report a loan shark

Find out whether a money lender is legally licensed and, if not, how you can report them anonymously.

Respond to a court claim for money

What happens if someone makes a money claim against you, saying you owe them money, and how you can respond or defend yourself.

Search for disqualified company directors

Check if someone is disqualified from being a company director, or search the list of directors banned in the last 3 months.

Sheriff court decrees on debt

What happens after a sheriff court issues a decree.

Sheriff officer powers when they visit your home or business

Your rights when sheriff officers visit your home or business – includes proof of identity, forcing entry and complaints.

Wind up a company that owes you money

You can apply to the court to ‘wind up’ a company if it can’t pay its debts of more than £750. If successful, the company will be put into liquidation.