Community Interest Company Registration Specialists

Community Interest Company CIC Registration Service

Registering a Community Interest Company is a big step for any social enterprise. We are specialist CIC accountants and we have helped dozens of community groups and social businesses complete their CIC incorporation and set up without the stress, delays or rejected applications that hold so many people back. Our Community Interest Company CIC registration service covers the whole process, from the CIC36 form and articles of association through to the community interest test, the asset lock and final Companies House registration, all for a clear, fixed fee.

Book a Free Consultation Call 01582 487594
Fixed Fees No-Obligation Quote UK-Wide Service
Team discussing a Community Interest Company CIC registration service with a specialist CIC accountant in the office
What the CIC Registration Service Covers

A Complete Community Interest Company CIC Incorporation Service

Rather than leaving you to wade through the Companies House forms and the CIC Regulator guidance alone, our CIC set up service brings everything together in one place. We prepare the paperwork, check every requirement and keep the whole process moving, so you can concentrate on the community work that matters.

CIC36 Form Preparation

We complete the CIC36 application accurately and in the right format, so your Community Interest Company CIC registration is not delayed by avoidable errors. We check every section before it is submitted.

Articles of Association

We draft a set of Community Interest Company articles that satisfy the CIC Regulator and match how you intend to run the business, covering the asset lock, restrictions and dividend rules correctly.

Community Interest Test

We help you show how your activities benefit the community so your application passes the Community Interest Test, which is the CIC Regulator test every applicant must meet as part of the CIC set up process.

Asset Lock Compliance

The asset lock is central to every CIC. We make sure your governing documents contain the required asset lock wording so the assets stay committed to the community interest for the life of the company.

Companies House Filing

We submit the full CIC registration package to Companies House and the CIC Regulator, track your application and let you know the moment your Community Interest Company is officially incorporated.

Ongoing Compliance Roadmap

After registration we show you exactly what comes next, from confirmation statements and corporation tax to CIC34 reports and annual accounts, so nothing slips through the cracks.

How the CIC Set Up Service Works

A Clear, Step by Step Process to Register Your Community Interest Company

Every community group is different, which is why we tailor each Community Interest Company CIC incorporation service to your particular aims. The process below is the route we guide most clients through, and we keep you informed at every stage.

The CIC Registration Timeline

CIC registration process timeline from consultation to incorporation
Stage What Happens Typical Time
1. Consultation We discuss your aims, structure and community purpose Within 1 working day
2. Documentation CIC36, articles, statement and asset lock drafted 1 to 2 working days
3. Review You approve the paperwork before submission Your own pace
4. Filing Submitted to Companies House and CIC Regulator Same day
5. Incorporation Companies House confirms your CIC is registered Typically 5 to 10 working days

Everything We Prepare for You

  • The completed CIC36 Community Interest Company application form
  • Tailored Community Interest Company articles of association with the model CIC articles as your starting point
  • The community interest statement and activities description for your Community Interest Test
  • A full asset lock clause and restrictions in your governing document
  • Details of your registered office, directors and persons with significant control
  • Guidance on filing any supporting evidence the CIC Regulator may request
  • A plain English post registration checklist covering confirmation statements, tax and accounts

In our experience working with social enterprises, most CIC registration applications are held up by small but costly mistakes in the community interest statement, the asset lock wording or the articles. Because we are qualified CIC accountants who complete these forms every week, we get the detail right the first time.

See exactly what a CIC registration costs
Choosing the Right Structure

Is a Community Interest Company the Right Choice for You?

A Community Interest Company is a limited company that exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders. Before you commit to a CIC set up, it is worth checking that it is the best fit compared with a charity. The table below sets out the main practical differences.

Comparison table of Community Interest Company CIC versus charity structure
Feature Community Interest Company (CIC) Registered Charity
Regulator Regulated by the CIC Regulator as part of Companies House Registered with and regulated by the Charity Commission
Purpose Community interest, can carry on trading activities for community benefit Exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit
Asset Lock Assets protected and committed to the community Assets held for charitable purposes only
Dividends to members Allowed up to a capped dividend Not permitted
Tax position Generally taxable like a normal limited company Eligible for a range of charity tax reliefs
Funding Trading income, contracts, grants and social investment Fundraising, donations, Gift Aid and grants

What Do I Need to Register a CIC?

  • A proposed company name that is not the same as another registered company
  • At least one director (usually two or more) and, for a CIC limited by shares, at least one shareholder
  • A registered office address in the UK with a service address for each director
  • A clear community interest statement and description of activities
  • The £50 Companies House registration fee, which we confirm before we begin
Read our full guide on what a CIC is
Community Interest Company CIC registration service paperwork and financial planning reviewed by community interest company accountants

Fixed fee Community Interest Company CIC set up and incorporation, handled by specialist CIC accountants

Not sure between a CIC and a charity?

Our team helps groups choose the right structure every day. We can talk you through whether a Community Interest Company CIC registration or a charity registration is better for your objectives, likely funding and tax position.

Compare CIC vs charity in detail
Why Choose Specialist CIC Accountants

Why Have Our Accountants Handle Your CIC Set Up?

Starting a Community Interest Company involves two regulators, several legal documents and one detailed application form. As accountants who work exclusively with charities and social enterprises, we are set up to make this easier and to flag the issues that come back to bite people later.

Built on Real Experience

We are not a filing service that simply pushes your documents through. Our team are qualified accountants who know how Community Interest Companies are taxed, governed and run once they are up and active, and every client has a dedicated accountant who oversees their CIC set up from start to finish. That means we set your CIC up properly from day one, with the asset lock, dividend cap and community provisions drafted to protect the organisation and its community interest for years ahead.

  • Year round CIC accounting and tax support, so your registration is not the end of the road
  • A dedicated contact who understands your community group and its goals
  • Clear fixed fees agreed up front, with no surprise invoices
  • Help with your CIC annual accounts, CIC34 report and corporation tax when they fall due

Grounded in Evidence

Most first time CIC applications are delayed because of small drafting mistakes. The most common reasons we see for a rejected or returned application are an incomplete community interest statement, incorrect asset lock wording in the articles, and inconsistent information between the CIC36 and the articles. With our Community Interest Company CIC registration service, these are checked before anything is submitted, so your application is far more likely to be approved first time.

  • We review every field, every clause and every statement twice before filing
  • We use the correct CIC model articles as the foundation, then tailor them to your needs
  • We prepare you a clear summary of what your community interest statement must say
  • We monitor the application and chase it with Companies House if it sits with the CIC Regulator too long

One Registration, Ongoing CIC Support

The CIC registration is just the beginning. Once your Community Interest Company is incorporated, you will need to keep on top of confirmation statements, corporation tax, employer payroll and, in many cases, the annual CIC34 report. Our accountants can handle all of it for you on a fixed fee.

Annual Accounts

SORP prepared annual accounts for your CIC each year

Learn more

CIC34 Report

The community interest report filed with your annual accounts

Learn more

Companies House Filing

Confirmation statements and filings handled for you

Learn more

Payroll & Pensions

Payroll and auto enrolment for CIC staff and directors

Learn more

See the full range of CIC accounting services we offer.

View all CIC accounting services
Frequently Asked Questions

CIC Registration Questions, Answered

These are the questions we are asked most often about the Community Interest Company CIC registration service. Every answer reflects the real cases we handle every week.

What does the Community Interest Company CIC registration service include?

Our Community Interest Company CIC registration service includes the preparation of the CIC36 form, tailored articles of association, the community interest statement and asset lock, and the submission of the full package to Companies House and the CIC Regulator. We review everything, file it for you, track the application and confirm when your CIC is officially incorporated. The fixed fee is agreed before we start, so there are no surprises.

How do I set up a Community Interest Company with your accountants?

To set up a Community Interest Company with us, you simply book a free consultation and tell us about your community group, its aims and the structure you want, whether limited by guarantee or limited by shares. We then prepare the CIC36 and articles, you approve the paperwork, and we file it with Companies House. Once the CIC Regulator approves the application, Companies House incorporates your CIC and we walk you through the next compliance steps.

How long does a Community Interest Company CIC incorporation take?

Once the paperwork is prepared and approved, Companies House usually processes a Community Interest Company CIC incorporation within around 5 to 10 working days. The total time from your first conversation to your CIC being registered depends largely on how quickly you approve the documents and whether the CIC Regulator asks for anything further. We aim to have your documents ready within a couple of working days of your consultation.

Read more about CIC registration timeframes

What is the cost of a Community Interest Company CIC set up?

A Community Interest Company CIC set up has two main costs: the £50 Companies House registration fee and our accountancy fee for preparing and filing the application. Our fee is fixed and quoted before we begin, so you know the total outlay up front. For a full breakdown of the official and typical costs, see our dedicated cost guide.

See the full CIC registration cost breakdown

Can a CIC director be paid?

Yes, a CIC director can be paid, but it must be set up correctly. Directors can be employees of the CIC and receive a salary through payroll, and in a CIC limited by shares they may also receive dividends within the strict dividend cap. The rules are specific, so it is worth understanding them before you incorporate. We help CIC directors manage their pay and tax properly.

Learn more about paying CIC directors

What is the asset lock in a Community Interest Company?

The asset lock is a defining feature of a Community Interest Company. It legally commits the CIC's assets and profits to the community interest, so they cannot be distributed for private gain except within the narrow limits the CIC Regulator allows. The asset lock wording must be included in your articles of association, and getting it right is part of a successful CIC incorporation.

Understand the asset lock fully

Our CIC Registration Accountants Accreditations & Professional Memberships

The CIC registration and set up service is delivered by a firm proud to be associated with leading professional organisations in the accounting industry. Tap any badge to learn more about each body.

ACCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants CIC registration accountants membership

ACCA

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Visit website

IFA Institute of Financial Accountants CIC registration accountants membership

IFA

Institute of Financial Accountants

Visit website

AAT Association of Accounting Technicians CIC registration accountants membership

AAT

Association of Accounting Technicians

Visit website

Trusted by CICs & Social Enterprises Across the UK
Ready to Register Your CIC?

Start Your Community Interest Company CIC Registration Today

Starting a Community Interest Company should be an exciting step, not a paperwork nightmare. Our Community Interest Company CIC registration service takes the stress out of the process, so you and your community can get on with making a difference. Book a free, no obligation consultation and we will map out the best structure and the exact steps for your CIC set up.

Book a Free Consultation Call 01582 487594

Explore Related CIC Guides

Plan Your CIC Finances

Get a Clear Quote

Every community group is different. Tell us about yours and we will give you a transparent, fixed fee for your CIC registration and ongoing accounting.

Request a quote