S20

Learn Commerce Structures III: Private Limited Company

Introduction  A Private Limited Company is quite a proven and effective business model. It…

Read More

Introduction 

A Private Limited Company is quite a proven and effective business model. It involves private ownership, with a limited number of shareholders(a maximum of 200). These are small but successful business entities and are comparatively easy to achieve targets, for young entrepreneurs, after the BCom course

Although it’s somewhat open to all options, individuals from Commerce courses happen to make better jobs here, mostly due to additional Educational orientations to similar subjects, something other stream novices to this sector, are deprived of.

What Is A Private Limited Company? 

As the name suggests, a Private Limited Company is a privately held business entity. It offers limited liability or legal protection to its shareholders. It is an intermediate business stature, shareholders in between a partnership and a collectively owned business company. 

A maximum of 200 shareholders can be a part of this institution. According to the definition, the shares of these companies are not publicly sold in Stock Exchange markets and can only be sold to the stakeholders in the business, implying a ground-level limitation in the liquidation of such a company.

Who’s The Owner Of A Private Limited Company?

Private limited companies are owned by one or more individuals (human or corporate), known as “members”. The company’s “shareholders” are those, who’s memberships are limited by shares, while “guarantors”  are those limited by guarantees. Beyond the technical terms, members of a company are often referred to as partners.

The companies are majorly owned and managed by the same set of people, where the ones managing the functioning of the system are called Directors, and the ones assisting them are called Secretaries. Together, the executive branch of a company is known as company officers.

What Are The Features Of A Private Limited Company?

A private limited company has the following features:

  • Membership: As per the provisions of the Companies Act 2013, from a minimum of two to a maximum of 200 members, is what a private limited company is allowed to comprise of.
  • Limited liability: The liability of the members is limited to the number of shares directly held in their name.
  • Perpetual succession: Even in case of death, insolvency or bankruptcy of any of its members, the company continues to exist in the eyes of the law, thereby offering ways of forever existence.
  • Register of members: This database is not mandatory for a private limited company to maintain, unlike any public limited company.
  • Directors requirement: The company is required to have a minimum of two directors, and then it can remain operational.
  • Paid-up capital: A private limited company must hold a minimum capital worth rupees one Lac, or such higher amounts, prescribed from time to time.
  • Prospectus: A private limited company is not required to issue a prospectus either, again, an absolute must in case of any public limited company. 
  • Minimum subscription: There are no such limits on this ground and the company is free to start a business immediately after its formation.

Name: The company must use the word private limited company at the end of its name.

What Are The Merits Of A Private Limited Company?

A private limited company has the following advantages

  • Flexible Investment: No minimum capital threshold is required for registration.
  • Separate legal identity: A private limited company is a separate legal identity in the court of law and doesn’t hold overlapping assets and liabilities with the directors.
  • Free and easy transfer of shares: Shares of the company are transferable by a shareholder to any other person and it is particularly hazel free.
  • FDI allowed: In a private limited company, 100% foreign direct investment is permissible in certain segments.

What Are The Demerits Of A Private Limited Company?

A private limited company has the following disadvantages:

  • Publicity restrictions: It arrests the transferability of shares by its articles.
  • No place in the stock market: Shares of these companies are not entitled to be sold in the Stock Exchange markets.

Is There Any Specific Employer Requirement In A Private Limited Company?

There is no such mandatory requirement, to appoint employees in a private limited company. Though informal, graduates from Commerce Courses, are likely to prioritize, in the selection processes.

What Are The Requirements For Private Limited Company Registration?

A private limited company has the following requirements for registration::

  • A minimum of two adult persons are required to act as Directors of the company
  • Minimum of 2 Directors and can have a maximum of 2015 directors.
  • One of the directors of a private limited company has to be an Indian Citizen and Indian Resident.
  • The other director(s) can be a Foreign National.
  • Two persons are required to act as a shareholder of a company

What Are The Documents Required For Registration?

The documents required for a private limited company are:

  • ID proof: PAN card and passports of Indian and foreign directors, respectively
  • Address proofs: Ration card or Aadhar card or driver’s license or voter ID
  • Residence proofs: Bank Statement or electricity bill of the premise
  • Notarized rental agreement
  • NOC from the property owner
  • A copy of the sale deed or property deed (for an owned property)
  • Digital signature of any one director

What Is The Process Of Registering A Private Limited Company?

Once a name for the company is finalized, the following steps have to be carried out by the applicant: 

Step 1: Apply for DSC (Digital Signature Certificate).
Step 2: Apply for the DIN (Director Identification Number)
Step 3: Apply for the name availability.
Step 4: File the EMoa and EAOA with registration form to register the private limited company
Step 5: Apply for the PAN and TAN of the company
Step 6: Certificate of incorporation will be issued by RoC with PAN and TAN
Step 7: Open a current bank account on the company name

Conclusion

Merits and Demerits are the two sides of the same coin, likewise, for a private limited company. It is the most prevalent and recognized business entity, in the current date. This is majorly due to the higher degree of freedom, that it offers in setting it up and functioning.

There’s no time gap between these two, and that’s an incredible opportunity to encourage start-ups. After BCom. Courses, thousands of young minds sketch business plans, not always relevant or effective in the public domain. Whereas the private window offers a more homely than a professional working space, warming up young interns to gear up quickly.

Massive Private Limited Companies have prospered beyond extents, inspiring millions to execute their expertise. Some of these include Flipkart, Ola, Snapdeal, etc. It’s important to have directional thinking and appropriate strategies,  to suit the ideas.

Part – iv- Learn Commerce structures IV: Public Limited Company
Part – ii – Learn Commerce Structures II: Proprietorship Firm
Part – i – Learn Commerce Structures: All About Partnership Firms