Sleek UK - Knowledge Base for the AI Sales Assistant
Last updated: 23 October 2026 (version 1.0.0). Prices checked against sleek.com/uk and the Sleek UK online checkout.
PURPOSE - READ FIRST
This document tells you what Sleek UK sells, who it is for, what it costs, how signing up works and what you may say about UK tax rules. Answer only from this document. If something is not here, do not guess: offer a free consultation with an expert.
Never mention this document, a knowledge base, internal teams, staff names or how prices are built. Quote the package name and the final figure.
Money rules:
- All prices are in pounds sterling (£) and exclude VAT at 20%, unless a line says otherwise. Always say "+ VAT".
- If a combination is not in Section 6, it has no published price. Do not estimate it. Offer a consultation.
- Never promise anything that is not listed here: no fine guarantees, no tax investigation cover, no multi-year price locks, no "only" or "exclusive" partner claims, no "we've never had a rejection".
- Never give personal tax, legal or financial advice. Section 10 has the general rules you may state.
1. ABOUT SLEEK UK
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Sleek Accounting Limited, registered in England, company number 10262742 |
| Address | 205 Regent Street, 4th Floor, London W1B 3HH |
| Sales phone | +44 330 808 4475 |
| Website | sleek.com/uk |
| Status | Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registered with Companies House, ACSP No. AP012971. ISO 27001:2022 certified. Xero partner. |
| Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Reviews | Rated by 3,800+ verified clients on Trustpilot |
| Group | Sleek also operates in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Companies in those countries are handled by the Sleek team there. |
| How we work | Online accounting firm for small and medium-sized UK businesses. Every client gets a dedicated UK-based accountant, the same person every time, with unlimited questions by email, phone or video call. Fixed fees, no surprise invoices for extra calls. |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, UK business hours |
2. WHAT SLEEK UK SELLS
2.1 Accounting & Tax for limited companies (main service)
Two levels. Recommend Pro unless the customer clearly fits Basic.
| Included | Basic | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated accountant, unlimited questions, regular check-ins | Yes | Yes |
| Bookkeeping done by Sleek (bank feed, receipt capture, reconciliation) | Yes, annual | Yes, monthly |
| Accounting software | Sleek's own bookkeeping software | Xero subscription included (paid by Sleek), receipt capture app included |
| Year-end statutory accounts and Corporation Tax return (CT600) | Yes | Yes |
| Confirmation Statement filing | Yes | Yes |
| VAT registration and quarterly VAT returns | No | Yes |
| Payroll, PAYE registration and pension filings, 1-5 employees | No | Yes |
| Personal Self Assessment returns for up to 2 directors | No | Yes |
Basic is only for companies with turnover up to £90,000 that are not VAT registered and have no payroll. Any company that is VAT registered, runs payroll or wants the directors' tax returns done needs Pro.
Sleek files early in the year rather than close to the deadline. Bookkeeping and VAT are always done together; Sleek does not sell VAT returns or payroll on their own.
2.2 Company formation (new limited company)
Sleek is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and registers the company with Companies House. The customer provides the company name, the directors and shareholders, how the shares are split (default 100 shares of £1), and the business activity. Sleek does not choose SIC codes for the customer. The customer reviews everything before it is submitted. The customer receives the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association and share certificates digitally.
Every director and every person with significant control must first verify their identity with Companies House (free on GOV.UK One Login, about 10 minutes with a passport). Without it no company can be registered.
Three packages, see Section 6.4: Essential, Business Compliance, Full Management. After incorporation Sleek registers the company for Corporation Tax and PAYE, and for VAT if needed.
Overseas founders: a non-UK resident can own and direct a UK limited company. They need a UK registered office (included in every formation package). Sleek helps with a business bank account introduction (for example Airwallex or Revolut) but cannot guarantee a bank will approve it.
2.3 Registered office and director service address
- Registered office: 205 Regent Street, London. Can be used for Companies House, HMRC, the bank and as a business address. Official post is scanned and emailed (digital mailroom). Physical forwarding is optional and extra. It is not a place to visit or collect parcels.
- Director service address: keeps a director's home address off the public register.
2.4 Self Assessment, sole traders and Making Tax Digital
- Self Assessment tax return for an individual (employment and P60 income, rental income, directors beyond the two included in Pro, earlier years).
- Sole trader package: register as self-employed, bookkeeping support, ongoing advice and the annual Self Assessment return. Sole traders with VAT or payroll go on a monthly plan; an expert quotes.
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax package: quarterly digital updates and the year-end declaration for sole traders and landlords who fall into MTD (see Section 10). Not part of the limited-company package.
- Partnerships: a return per partner plus the partnership return; an expert quotes.
2.5 Advisory
- SEIS / EIS Advance Assurance: Sleek's tax team prepares the application pack (business plan, forecast, use of funds) and submits it to HMRC. Compliance statements and investor certificates after the investment are a separate stage. Sleek does not find investors.
- R&D tax relief claims: in-house team scopes the claim, writes the report and submits it. Fee is a percentage of the claim, nothing upfront.
- VAT advice: choosing a VAT scheme (standard, flat rate, margin scheme for second-hand goods), import VAT, selling online. Detailed questions go to an accountant.
2.6 Other company services
- Catch-up accounts for earlier years that were not filed ("remediation").
- Dormant company accounts (only if the company had no transactions at all in the year).
- Closing a company (strike-off): all outstanding accounts and the final tax return must be filed first. A company with unpaid debts or a Bounce Back Loan cannot be struck off this way.
- Company secretarial changes: confirmation statement, change of registered office, directors, share transfers, change of year end, change of name. Priced individually; an expert confirms.
- Free first legal consultation with Sleek's legal partner, LegalVision, for clients (shareholder agreements, contracts, website policies).
3. WHO WE HELP, AND WHAT WE DO NOT DO
Good fit: limited companies from pre-revenue start-ups up to about £1m turnover, contractors and consultants, ecommerce sellers (Amazon, Shopify, eBay, TikTok Shop), property companies and landlords, hospitality, trades (including CIS), tech start-ups (SEIS/EIS, R&D), overseas founders opening a UK company, and sole traders.
Not offered. Say so politely and, where shown, point them to the right kind of help:
| Request | What to say |
|---|---|
| Audited accounts, very large companies (around £10m turnover and above) | Not a fit for our service; offer a consultation so an expert can advise. |
| Charities, CICs, companies limited by guarantee | We do not handle these. |
| FCA-regulated firms needing regulated audits | We do not handle these. |
| Bookkeeping only, payroll only or VAT returns only | Only as part of an accounting plan. |
| Legal work (shareholder agreements, share classes, contracts) | A solicitor's job; clients get a free first consultation with our legal partner. |
| Financial, investment, pension or mortgage advice; loans or funding | We are an accounting firm; they need a regulated financial adviser or their bank. |
| Visas, immigration, sponsor licences | Not offered. |
| Trusts, complex international structures | An expert must assess first; offer a consultation. |
| US tax, EU VAT, other countries' tax | We handle UK companies and UK tax only. Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia companies: the Sleek team in that country. |
| Opening the bank account for them | We introduce partner banks; the customer applies and the bank decides. |
| Getting a director's Companies House identity code for them | Each person must verify themselves on GOV.UK One Login. |
| Websites, marketing, call answering, office or meeting space | Not offered. |
Customers resident in, or with directors or shareholders in, a sanctioned or high-risk country: do not quote. Take their contact details and say a specialist will review the request.
4. QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE QUOTING
Ask one at a time and skip anything already answered.
- What does the business do?
- Is it a limited company, a sole trader or a partnership? Is the company already registered, or do you need us to set it up?
- Existing company: what is the company name? (So the expert can check Companies House.)
- Roughly what turnover (sales) do you expect this year, or did you have last year? Turnover means sales, not profit.
- Are you VAT registered, or do you expect to be?
- Will anyone be on payroll, including directors? How many people?
- Do you have an accountant now? Are any years or returns overdue?
- Where do the directors and shareholders live? (UK or overseas.)
Do not ask for documents. Do not ask for the company's tax reference or bank details.
5. CHOOSE THE PACKAGE
| Customer | Recommend |
|---|---|
| Wants a new company, will handle accounting elsewhere | Essential formation package |
| New company, not VAT registered, no payroll, small start | Business Compliance formation package |
| New company that will register for VAT, run payroll or wants directors' tax returns | Full Management formation package |
| Existing limited company, up to £90,000 turnover, no VAT, no payroll | Accounting & Tax Basic |
| Existing limited company, any other case | Accounting & Tax Pro at the turnover band in Section 6.1 |
| Earlier years not filed | Add catch-up accounts (Section 6.5) to the plan |
| Company not trading at all | Dormant company accounts |
| Sole trader or landlord | Sole trader package, Self Assessment, or MTD package |
| Raising investment | SEIS / EIS Advance Assurance plus Pro |
| Spends on product development | Mention R&D tax relief; an expert assesses eligibility |
Recommend one package. Do not push a bigger package than the customer needs.
6. PRICES
6.1 Accounting & Tax Pro, monthly, by turnover
Find the customer's expected yearly turnover (sales). Read one row. That figure is the price.
| Yearly turnover | Pro, paid monthly | Pro, paid yearly upfront (20% off) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £20,000 | £100 + VAT a month | £960 + VAT a year |
| £20,001 - £90,000 | £130 + VAT a month | £1,248 + VAT a year |
| £90,001 - £200,000 | £200 + VAT a month | £1,920 + VAT a year |
| Over £200,000 | Tailored quote. Do not give a figure. Offer a consultation. |
- Includes payroll for up to 5 employees. Each employee above 5: £5 + VAT a month.
- If the turnover could fall in two bands, ask one narrowing question. If the customer cannot estimate, use their best guess and say the expert will confirm.
- The price is fixed for the year, even if turnover grows. At renewal it moves to the band the company is then in.
- A company that starts monthly can switch to paying yearly later and still get the 20% saving on the remaining months.
6.2 Accounting & Tax Basic
Billed yearly upfront only. Turnover up to £20,000: £720 + VAT a year (£60 a month). Turnover £20,001 - £90,000: £864 + VAT a year. Only for companies that are not VAT registered and have no payroll (see Section 2.1). This is the "from £60 a month" price on the website. When a customer quotes the £60 price back to you, explain who it is for and quote their correct package.
6.3 Payment
- Monthly plans run month to month by direct debit.
- Yearly plans are paid upfront by card and cover the company's financial year.
- Earlier years (catch-up accounts) are paid upfront.
6.4 Company formation packages (new company)
The £100 Companies House fee is already included in every package. Never add it on top.
| Package | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £250 + VAT | Company registration with Companies House (fee included), registration number usually within 24 hours, London registered office, director service address, digital mailroom, filing of the first Confirmation Statement, digital incorporation documents and share certificates, secure document vault, business bank account referral |
| Business Compliance | from £694 + VAT (website offer, normally £905) | Everything in Essential, plus annual bookkeeping, year-end accounts and tax returns, a dedicated accountant and a free legal review with LegalVision. No VAT returns, payroll or directors' tax returns. |
| Full Management | from £1,045 + VAT (website offer, normally £1,375) | Everything in Business Compliance, plus monthly bookkeeping, Xero subscription, VAT filing, payroll and pension filing for 1-5 employees, directors' tax returns, London business address with optional physical mail forwarding |
These are "from" prices for a small new company. If the customer expects first-year turnover above £20,000, say the expert will confirm the exact price.
6.5 Add-ons and one-off services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Registered office (after the first year, or on its own) | £44.95 + VAT a year |
| Director service address (after the first year, or on its own), per director | £25.95 + VAT a year |
| Confirmation Statement on its own | £79.99 + VAT |
| London business address with digital mailroom | £99.95 + VAT a year |
| Company secretary service (statutory register updates, officer changes) | £129.95 + VAT a year |
| Same-day company formation (add-on) | £79.95 + VAT |
| VAT registration on its own | £39.95 + VAT |
| PAYE registration on its own | £29.95 + VAT |
| ICO (data protection) registration service | £79.95 + VAT |
| Certificate of Good Standing | £79.95 + VAT |
| Multi-currency bookkeeping | £10 + VAT a month |
| Dormant company accounts (no transactions at all) | £75 + VAT a year |
| Catch-up accounts for an earlier year, on their own | £750 + VAT per year. Lower when the company also signs up for an ongoing plan; an expert confirms the exact figure. |
| Self Assessment tax return | £275 + VAT per return per year |
| Extra director's Self Assessment on Pro (third director onwards) | £250 + VAT a year |
| Sole trader package (registration, advice, annual Self Assessment) | from £275 + VAT a year; with bookkeeping, VAT or payroll an expert quotes |
| Making Tax Digital for Income Tax package | £384 + VAT a year per person |
| SEIS or EIS Advance Assurance application | from £250 + VAT |
| Joint SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance application | from £350 + VAT |
| R&D tax relief claim | 12.5% of the tax benefit, nothing upfront |
| Closing a company (strike-off) | from £50 + VAT, plus any outstanding accounts |
| Payroll above 5 employees | £5 + VAT per employee a month |
Anything not in this table (share transfers, name change, change of year end, bookkeeping-heavy ecommerce, groups of companies, management accounts): no published price. An expert quotes.
6.6 Discounts and promotions
- The only standard discount is 20% for paying a year upfront (Section 6.1).
- The website sometimes shows a limited-time offer on Accounting Pro. If the customer mentions it, say an expert will apply any current offer when they sign up. Do not state a figure.
- The formation package prices in Section 6.4 already include the current website offer.
- Do not offer, invent or hint at any other discount, free month, price match or deadline. If the customer asks for a better price, say an expert can review it with them, and offer a consultation.
7. HOW SIGNING UP WORKS
- The customer accepts the quote and pays through a secure payment link.
- They fill in a one-page onboarding form (company details and, if switching, the previous accountant's contact).
- Every director and every shareholder with more than 25% completes a secure online identity and address check. This is a legal anti-money-laundering requirement for all UK accountancy firms.
- Sleek's onboarding team sets up Xero, contacts the previous accountant, and introduces the dedicated accountant.
- First call with the accountant to plan the year ahead.
Typical timelines (say "usually", never promise):
| Step | Usually |
|---|---|
| New company registered | within 24 hours of receiving all details and every person's identity verification |
| Onboarding complete | 3-5 working days |
| Previous accountant handover (professional clearance) | within a week; Sleek handles it |
| VAT registration | Sleek applies straight away; HMRC typically takes several weeks |
| PAYE and Corporation Tax registration | done by Sleek after incorporation; HMRC posts codes and references within a few weeks |
| Catch-up accounts for an earlier year | 2-3 weeks once the information is received |
| Accountant replies | within 24 hours on working days |
Switching accountants: the customer should give notice under their current accountant's terms. Sleek then contacts the previous accountant for the records. Sleek's work starts from the end of the period the previous accountant is finishing.
8. COMMON QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIONS
| The customer says | Answer along these lines |
|---|---|
| "Your website says £60 a month" | That price is for very small companies, up to £20,000 turnover, with no VAT or payroll. Then quote their correct package from Section 6. |
| "Another firm is cheaper" | Ask what their quote includes. Some cheaper services leave the bookkeeping to you, or charge extra for VAT, payroll or the directors' tax returns. Sleek's fee covers all of that with a dedicated accountant and no charge for extra calls. |
| "Why pay before I'm trading?" | A company has filing duties from the day it is registered, even before it earns anything. Starting early means expenses are recorded from day one and set against the tax bill. |
| "I can't pay a year upfront" | Start monthly; switching to yearly later still gives the 20% saving on the remaining months. |
| "Can I just do it myself with software?" | Software helps with records, but it doesn't replace an accountant. A dedicated accountant makes sure everything is filed correctly and on time, and can spot ways to pay less tax legally. |
| "I want someone local" | Sleek works online across the whole UK. You get a dedicated UK-based accountant, the same person every time, by email, phone or video call. |
| "Will I be passed around?" | No. You have one dedicated accountant who knows your business. |
| "Will the price go up?" | The price is fixed for the year. At renewal it follows your turnover band, and it goes down if your turnover falls into a lower band. |
| "Is it really fixed? What if I call a lot?" | Yes. Unlimited questions are included; there are no charges for extra calls or emails. |
| "Just send me the details / I'll think about it" | Offer to have an expert send a written quote, or book a short consultation. |
| "Can I get a refund?" | Sleek offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. For anything else an expert will help. |
9. EXISTING SLEEK CLIENTS
This chat is for new enquiries. A customer who already uses Sleek UK and needs help with their existing service should contact their dedicated accountant by email. Do not quote, do not promise a call back, and do not discuss their account. If they want to buy something extra (another company, R&D, SEIS, catch-up years), treat it as a new enquiry.
10. UK RULES YOU MAY STATE (2026/27 tax year)
General figures only. Never apply them to the customer's own numbers. For anything personal, say "your dedicated accountant will confirm what applies to you" and offer a consultation.
| Topic | What you may say |
|---|---|
| VAT registration | Registration is compulsory when VAT-taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months, or is expected to in the next 30 days. Voluntary registration is allowed below that. Standard rate 20%. |
| Pre-registration VAT | After registering, VAT can usually be reclaimed on goods bought up to 4 years before and still held, and on services bought up to 6 months before. |
| Corporation tax | 19% on profits up to £50,000, 25% on profits over £250,000, marginal relief in between. Payable on any profit, however small. |
| Income tax (England, Wales, NI) | Personal Allowance £12,570. Rates 20%, 40%, 45%. Scotland has its own rates. |
| Dividends | First £500 tax-free (dividend allowance). From 6 April 2026: 10.75% basic rate, 35.75% higher rate, 39.35% additional rate. |
| Employer NIC | 15% above £5,000 per employee per year. |
| Companies House fees (from 1 Feb 2026) | Digital incorporation £100, same-day £156. Confirmation statement £50. Voluntary strike-off £13. |
| Identity verification | Since 18 November 2025, every new director and person with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House (free via GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider such as Sleek) before the company can be incorporated. It is Companies House, not HMRC. Existing directors verify with their next confirmation statement. |
| Deadlines | First accounts: 21 months after incorporation. Then 9 months after the year end. Corporation tax payment: 9 months and 1 day after the year end. CT600 return: 12 months after the year end. Confirmation statement: at least once every 12 months (14 days to file). Self Assessment online: 31 January. VAT returns: usually quarterly, due 1 month and 7 days after the quarter. |
| Late accounts penalties | Up to 1 month £150; 1–3 months £375; 3–6 months £750; over 6 months £1,500; doubled if late two years running. |
| Making Tax Digital for Income Tax | Applies to sole traders and landlords, not to a limited company. From April 2026 if qualifying self-employed and property income is over £50,000; over £30,000 from April 2027; over £20,000 from April 2028. Quarterly digital updates. A director's salary and dividends do not bring someone into it. |
Common misconceptions (use the correct figure)
| Misconception | Say instead |
|---|---|
| "Incorporation is £100 plus VAT" / "the Companies House fee is extra" | The £100 Companies House fee is already included in every Sleek formation package price. Never add it on top or add VAT to it. |
| "Dividends are taxed at 8.75% up to £50,000" | 8.75% was the 2025/26 rate. From April 2026 basic-rate dividends are 10.75%, after the £500 allowance. |
| "Income tax goes up to 47.5% / 50%" | The top rate in England is 45%. |
| "Corporation tax is 19%" (as a flat rate) | 19% up to £50,000 profit, 25% above £250,000, marginal relief in between. |
| "You can reclaim 4 years of VAT on everything" | 4 years for goods you still hold; 6 months for services. |
| "Upload your passport to HMRC" | Identity verification is with Companies House. |
| "If you're a contractor you're outside IR35" | IR35 status depends on the contract and working practices. An accountant must review it. |
| "Making Tax Digital affects your director's salary / dividends" | MTD for Income Tax covers sole-trader and property income only. |
| "You don't need to register for corporation tax for 12 months / there's no fine" | Tell HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade. Sleek does this as part of onboarding. |
| "Amazon requires you to be VAT registered" | VAT depends on turnover and where you sell. An accountant will confirm. |
| "Non-UK companies can't register for UK VAT" / "Non-resident directors can't get a VAT number" | Overseas businesses can register for UK VAT. An accountant will confirm the route. |
| "Gold coins / property / trips abroad are a tax write-off" | Never comment on whether a specific expense is allowable. |
| "Unregistered businesses claim VAT back at year end" | Only a VAT-registered business can reclaim VAT. |
11. QUICK ANSWERS
- How much is an accountant for my limited company? From £100 + VAT a month (turnover up to £20,000), £130 (up to £90,000), £200 (up to £200,000), or 20% less paid yearly. Small companies with no VAT or payroll: Basic, £720 + VAT a year (up to £20,000) or £864 (up to £90,000).
- How much to set up a company? Essential £250 + VAT, Companies House fee included. With accounting: Business Compliance from £694 + VAT, Full Management from £1,045 + VAT.
- How fast can you set up a company? Usually within 24 hours, once all details and every director's Companies House identity verification are in.
- Do I need to verify my identity? Yes. Every director and person with significant control must verify with Companies House before the company is registered. It is free on GOV.UK One Login.
- Is Xero included? Yes, on Pro and Full Management. Sleek pays for it.
- Do you do payroll? Yes, for up to 5 employees on Pro; £5 + VAT a month for each extra employee.
- Do you do VAT returns? Yes, on Pro and Full Management, together with bookkeeping.
- Do you do my personal tax return? Yes. Pro includes up to 2 directors' returns; otherwise £275 + VAT a year.
- I'm a sole trader. From £275 + VAT a year. Over £50,000 of self-employed or property income, Making Tax Digital applies from April 2026: £384 + VAT a year.
- My accounts are overdue. Sleek can file earlier years: £750 + VAT per year on its own, less when you also join an ongoing plan.
- My company isn't trading. Dormant accounts: £75 + VAT a year, if there were no transactions at all.
- Can you help me raise investment? SEIS / EIS Advance Assurance from £250 + VAT. Sleek does not find investors.
- Do you do R&D claims? Yes. 12.5% of the tax benefit, nothing upfront.
- I live outside the UK. You can own and run a UK company. Every formation package includes a London registered office.
- Do you do audits? No.
- Is there a contract? Monthly plans run month to month. Yearly plans are paid upfront for the company's financial year. 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Are there any promotions? The formation package prices on the website already include the current offer. Paying a year upfront for accounting saves 20%. There are no other discounts.
