[richardlingard]

my friend wants to work as a window cleaner and have a business account, i have said this is not necessary but he wont listen, in fact he cant get any bank account because of a divorce a few years ago, he really wants this business account he asked me if its possible for his g/f can open a business account, and only he uses it to pay his money into so he has a record this way? is that legal for a sole trader ? and in general ?

i just use my personal account

[H S and Son]

Go into the bank and ask Richard, no harm. They probably get lots of people asking for their 'friends' 

[Pope vader]

his gf can do this, but in the eyes of the taxman, it is her business,  your firends can get a bassic bank account that will allow him to pay money in and take it out  try nat west,  if he is bankrupt he needs the letter saying he is out of it and should be ok

[StockClean]

If you are a sole trader, you do not need a business bank account.

I went through a divorce a few years back, i know what it can be like its a nasty state of affairs to deal with.

I had some financial issues to contend with also, all i did was open a basic bank account with lloyds tsb, and started the business up again from scratch.

3 years on, and my finanical situation is pretty much a forgotten past, and the bank are now suggesting to me that i open a business account due to the ammount of money going through the account. I am resisting them as much as i can, until i have no option and they insist.

As long as you keep the account you are using for the business seperate from the account you use for personal expenses you shouldnt have any issues.

If your situation is so dire that you can only have one account, with no faciloties at all, then just cash only, and keep records to seperate your personal and business expenditure.

there is no legal requirement for a business account, the bank would prefer it as they can make money from you.  If you have a ltd company, they you need a business account by law.

[mike roberts]

similar has been asked in past.. try a search 

Most personal accounts terms and conditions stipulate you should not use them for buisness ... why not try co-op or satander free buisness banking... worth a try 

[AS Window Cleaning]

I have personal account. with Barclays, my main branch never cause problems, but if go to different location they complain. we put money into bank, twice a week (work 2/3 days) about 20 cheques.

just remember tho if don't have business account cheques need to be in your personal name. we get quite a few in AS window cleaning, which the bank won't accept (officially!). nice to have business account, but whilst I can stay with personal I will, and save the charges. we are a partnership.

[tompoole]

Don't get a business account you don't need one. I have one
And it costs me £500 a year in charges and it's never over drawn.!!
They charge per visit and per item plus percentage of cash. They also
Charge per transaction ie direct debit , standing order , BACs , chaps and
Direct transfer! Also charge me £4 per cheque when Custy bounces
One on me,
I have just spoken to an accountant who says that you must
Have a separate account for work whether soletrader or not.
I will be opening another account once ive informed all my regulars
Who pay direct transfer

[mike roberts]

Don't get a business account you don't need one. I have one
And it costs me £500 a year in charges and it's never over drawn.!!
They charge per visit and per item plus percentage of cash. They also
Charge per transaction ie direct debit , standing order , BACs , chaps and
Direct transfer! Also charge me £4 per cheque when Custy bounces
One on me,
I have just spoken to an accountant who says that you must
Have a separate account for work whether soletrader or not.
I will be opening another account once ive informed all my regulars
Who pay direct transfer

Thats not a reason to 'Not to get a business account ' you simply have the wrong account there are free banking business accounts available.

Personally I think it looks far more professional (waits to get shot down!)

[Frankybadboy]

Don't get a business account you don't need one. I have one
And it costs me £500 a year in charges and it's never over drawn.!!
They charge per visit and per item plus percentage of cash. They also
Charge per transaction ie direct debit , standing order , BACs , chaps and
Direct transfer! Also charge me £4 per cheque when Custy bounces
One on me,
I have just spoken to an accountant who says that you must
Have a separate account for work whether soletrader or not.
I will be opening another account once ive informed all my regulars
Who pay direct transfer

rubbish

[Steve_c]

Don't get a business account you don't need one. I have one
And it costs me £500 a year in charges and it's never over drawn.!!
They charge per visit and per item plus percentage of cash. They also
Charge per transaction ie direct debit , standing order , BACs , chaps and
Direct transfer! Also charge me £4 per cheque when Custy bounces
One on me,
I have just spoken to an accountant who says that you must
Have a separate account for work whether soletrader or not.
I will be opening another account once ive informed all my regulars
Who pay direct transfer

rubbish

Yep