The Book

Start your business
the right way.

Set Up for Success — the plain-English UK guide that takes you from "I've got an idea" to properly set up, registered and confident. Written by a Chartered Certified Accountant.

Look inside ↓
Set Up for Success — the Start Sharp startup guide
Most people learn the hard way

Wrong structure.
Missed deadlines.
Overpaid tax.

Most people starting out in the UK make the same avoidable mistakes — not because they're careless, but because nobody ever explained it simply. This book is the answer to that.

No accounting knowledge needed. Every idea in plain English, with worked examples throughout.

What's inside

Two parts.
Your whole journey.

Part One takes you from side hustle to sole trader. Part Two levels you up to a limited company — when you're ready.

Part One · Sole Traders

Understand it. Register it. Run it.

  • Sole trader vs limited company — choose your fighter
  • Registering with HMRC, step by step (and the Government Gateway)
  • Making Tax Digital — what every sole trader needs to know
  • Cash basis vs accruals, and allowable vs disallowable expenses
  • Profit & loss and balance sheets, simplified
  • Your Sole Trader setup checklist
Part Two · Limited Companies

Level up, properly.

  • Setting up a company — with a full worked example
  • Director responsibilities and the director's loan account
  • Shareholders, and what's public on Companies House
  • Setting up payroll for your salary — it's essential
  • Corporation Tax and a set of illustrative company accounts
  • Your Limited Company setup checklist

Less than an hour
with an accountant.

£0
A one-off — yours to keep and read again whenever you need it. 47 pages, no jargon, no fluff.
See for yourself

Read the opening,
free.

Not sure it's for you? Grab the cover and the opening chapter — see the plain-English style before you buy.

Read a free sample

Set up for success,
from day one.

Get the book · £19 Rather have it handled for you? Talk to Mel →

Written by Mellissa Dean, FCCA — a UK Chartered Certified Accountant who runs a real practice.

For general information to help you plan — not tax, accounting, legal or financial advice. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a qualified accountant.