What books must a company keep?

As if starting a business is not hard enough work, understanding what paperwork is necessary probably sounds like inviting another headache. Luckilly Chris Wills, a partner at Willans LLP is on hand.

Chris Wills, of Willans.

All companies are required under the Companies Act 2006 to keep their company books up-to-date.

This note helps employers check that they are including everything to keep their books in good working order, writes Chris Wills, a corporate and commercial law specialist at Cheltenham-based Willans.

•  members

•  applications and allotments of shares

•  transfers of shares

•  directors and their addresses

•  secretaries

•  debentures

•  mortgages and charges

•  sealings and executions

•  people with significant control

•  residential addresses of people with significant control
  and copies of any board minutes and documents lodged with Companies House.

The following provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) apply:

Register of members

Section 113 of the CA 2006 says companies should keep a register of its members and record:

•  their names and addresses

•  the date when each person was registered as a member and the date they ceased to be one

•  a statement of shares held by each member distinguishing eac…