Professional company secretary services from Butt Miller
A company secretary is responsible for helping a business meet its legal requirements and maintain corporate governance. In larger organisations and public companies, a company secretary is often a dedicated internal role.
In a private company, however, it often falls to the directors. And while statutory compliance is, of course, essential, we would argue it’s not the best use of a director’s time.
Butt Miller can oversee your company secretarial matters, including confirmation statements, Companies House filing, board minutes, share issues, dividend paperwork, statutory registers and other records required under UK company law.
Our role is to ensure that your records are accurate, your filings are completed on time, and important decisions are clearly documented.
You can be confident that the proper procedures are being followed and your obligations are being met without the inconvenience.
How our company secretary services support your business
Good company administration supports smooth operations, helps directors meet their responsibilities and avoids confusion, particularly where ownership, dividends, voting rights or share capital are involved.
We can assist with a wide range of company secretarial matters, including:
- Preparation and filing of annual confirmation statements
- Updates to directors, shareholders and people with significant control
- Maintenance of statutory registers and company records
- Preparation of minutes for board meetings and company decisions
- Share issues, share transfers and changes to share capital
- Dividend paperwork and supporting records
- Review of articles of association
- Advice on company governance and compliance requirements
Annual confirmation statements and Companies House filings
Every company must file an annual confirmation statement. This confirms that the information held at Companies House is accurate, including the registered office address, and details about directors, shareholders and persons with significant control.
We handle the preparation, checking and filing process for our clients. We can also update the records throughout the year when important details change.
Board meetings and company decision-making
Important company decisions, such as dividend decisions, director appointments and share issues, should be recorded properly. For good corporate governance, there must be a clear written record of what was agreed, who was involved and what action was approved.
As your outsourced company secretary, Butt Miller can help prepare minutes for committee meetings and annual general meetings. This is especially valuable when a decision has tax, legal or commercial implications. They show that the board considered the matter properly and followed an appropriate process.
We can support the issuance of shares, the recording of share transfers, the preparation of dividend vouchers, and the maintenance of the relevant statutory records. Where needed, we work alongside your wider advisory team to make sure the legal, tax and accounting position is properly considered.
This can be particularly useful where a company is establishing employee shareholders, planning succession, changing ownership or looking for a more tax-efficient structure. The aim is to make sure the action taken is properly documented and aligned with the wider interests of the business.
Articles of association and company governance
The articles of association set out how a company is governed. They cover important rules around directors, shareholders, voting rights, shares and decision-making.
Many companies use standard articles without considering whether they fit the business. That may be fine in the initial stages of a company, but it can become limiting as it grows, takes on new shareholders or changes direction.
We can assist with reviewing the company’s governance position and identifying where further legal advice may be needed. The practical benefit is clarity: knowing what the rules say, what the directors can do, and what steps are needed to act correctly.
Why choose Butt Miller for company secretarial services?
Cost-effective
For most limited companies, outsourcing company secretary services is more realistic than hiring in-house.
Continuity
With full knowledge of your governance history, decisions and obligations, we can avoid gaps and inconsistencies.
Context
Company secretarial work overlaps with accounting and tax. We manage while keeping sight of the bigger picture.
Calm competence
Technical knowledge, accuracy and professional judgement that go well beyond basic company administration.
Take control of company admin today
Allow Butt Miller to handle company admin so your directors can focus their time on where it adds the most value. Contact us to discuss your company secretarial and wider outsourced accounting needs.
What does a company secretary do?
A company secretary helps a company meet its legal and regulatory requirements and should have strong knowledge of corporate governance. The role includes maintaining statutory records, filing the necessary information with Companies House and preparing board minutes.
Do all companies need a company secretary?
A public limited company must have an appointed company secretary. Private companies are not required to appoint a company secretary, although they may choose to do so if the tasks become onerous for directors, or to ensure continuity. However, the directors remain responsible for ensuring compliance. For many businesses, outsourcing the work provides confidence and is more cost-effective.
How do company secretarial services support tax-efficient planning?
Company secretarial services support tax-efficient planning by ensuring the statutory paperwork behind key decisions, such as dividend vouchers, share allotments and transfers, is accurate and properly executed. Tax reliefs and structures can be challenged or disallowed if the underlying documentation doesn’t hold up.
Good records also provide a clear, up-to-date picture of share capital and ownership, which is essential when planning around things like dividend timing and share reorganisations.
