Opening up a business account.

options in the UK?

[adamnichols45]

Is it possible to open up a business account for a sole trader (self employed) but rather than have my own name have a business name.

example

Im a car cleaner but I dont want my cheques made payable to fred bloogs I want them made out to adams cleaning services.

Based in the UK.

Thanks

[stuntdubl]

I'm not sure about in the UK - but I'm sure there are similar equivalents to the US.

In the US - you can do
1. a DBA (doing business as) - cheapest, easiest, but least liability protection
2. LLC sole proprietor - more commonly used w/ more liability protection
3. Corporations - different rules, toughest to setup and maintain, but added tax and liability benefits

[aspdaddy]

Sureyou can trade as anything you want. On your cheques it will say YourName T/A Company Name. On your invoices you still have to put your name and the word "Proprietor".

After 1 year you will get hit with bank fees for even thinking about your own money and will proably want to quickly revert back to a current account :)

In the UK this status is a sole trader, trading as xyz.

[le_gber]

Coming in late (very) but the answer is yes.

When you open your business account give them a trading name (they usually ask for some letter headed paper with the trading name on it as proof). If you haven't chosen your bank yet I'd recommend Abbey which offers free business banking for life.

[vincevincevince]

le_gber entirely right - you need a little bit of evidence you are actually trading in that name in addition to your standard proof of address and identity documents as used to open a banking account. Abbey are a great choice for a small business.

[piatkow]

Your accountant should be able to advise you on the formalities. I believe that these have been simplified since my youthful days as a bank clerk in the 70s.