New Director? The Complete First 90 Days Checklist

Congratulations — you've just become a company director. Whether you're setting up your own limited company or joining an existing company's board, the first few months are critical for getting your governance right from the start. Miss a filing deadline or overlook a legal obligation now, and it can cause expensive headaches down the line.

This checklist covers everything you need to do in your first 90 days, from the paperwork to the practical decisions that will shape how your company runs.

Since November 2025, all new directors must verify their identity before their appointment can be processed. Do this via GOV.UK One Login — it takes under 5 minutes with a passport or driving licence. You'll receive a personal code that you'll need for all future filings.

Check the Companies House register to confirm your appointment has been filed correctly. Your name, date of birth (month and year), nationality, and correspondence address should all be accurate. Errors now can cause problems later.

As a director, you owe seven statutory duties to the company under the Companies Act 2006. Read our complete guide: The 7 Legal Duties Every UK Director Must Know. This isn't optional reading — these are legally binding obligations that carry personal liability if breached.

If you're starting a new company, open a dedicated business bank account immediately. Mixing personal and business finances is one of the most common mistakes new directors make — it creates accounting headaches and can undermine the limited liability protection your company structure provides.

You must register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting to trade. HMRC will send you a notice to deliver a Company Tax Return (CT600) after your company's first accounting period ends. Late registration doesn't defer the deadline — it just means less time to prepare.

How you pay yourself — salary, dividends, or a combination — has significant tax implications. The optimal approach for most directors is a low salary at the NI threshold plus dividends. Read our guide: Dividend vs Salary: The Optimal Director's Pay Strategy.

If you're paying yourself a salary — even a small one — you'll need to register as an employer with HMRC and run payroll. Software like FreeAgent, Xero, or BrightPay can handle this automatically.

Unless you're a qualified accountant yourself, this is one of the best investments you'll make. A good accountant will more than pay for themselves in tax savings, compliance support, and peace of mind. Ask other directors for recommendations — the cheapest option is rarely the best.

Mark these in your calendar now: your confirmation statement is due annually (within 14 days of your review date), your annual accounts must be filed within 9 months of your accounting reference date, your Corporation Tax return is due within 12 months of your accounting period end, and your Corporation Tax payment is due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period end.

Your registered office address is publicly visible on the Companies House register. If you're running the business from home and don't want your home address on public record, consider a virtual office service that provides a registered office address.

Since March 2024, all companies must have a registered email address on file with Companies House. This is used for official communications — including identity verification notices. It is not publicly visible.

D&O insurance covers the legal costs of defending claims made against you personally as a director, plus any damages you're ordered to pay. It's not legally required, but it's strongly recommended — particularly if your company has employees, customers, or significant creditors.

You're legally required to keep company records including board meeting minutes, details of directors and shareholders, a register of Persons with Significant Control, and accounting records going back at least 6 years. Cloud accounting software makes most of this straightforward.