To avoid separate bank accounts, best options?

[Comspec]

ok, I have my main business trading name (Comspec), but I also have another kicking in shortly, with a third coming alive in a couple of months.

All of these can, in theory, have their bills payable to the main Comspec name, and it will realistically not be a problem as nothing is hidden and all are linked back to my offices without any disguise of any sort.

I would like some method of allowing people to pay to each business name separately (eg Payable to Comspec for the relevant stuff, Name X for the 2nd area, and Name Y for the 3rd area when it comes online), but is there an easy way of doing this all through the one bank account without having separate ones for each?

Anyone any pointers on options for me?

A little background:

Comspec is my main (computer) business, half cheque/bacs and half cash

Name X is a separate arm of the company, with its own domain name and kind of trading name (though at present I just make anything payable to Comspec)

Name Y is going to be a separate leg of the business entirely, and it will have its own trading name, with quarterly subscriptions for a specific purpose.

The reason I want to keep them separate is that each of the 'extra' busnesses may well develop on their own, or be sold off eventually.

I know I can keep the accounting all separate as such, and have no probs with this, but it would just make it simpler if people could pay to the correct business name.



Sorry if that is a little long winded, I'm typing as I think about it, and the oul head is a touch messed with the holidays :D

[KM-Tiger]

So it's all one business then.

Shouldn't be a problem as you will simply be 'trading as' in each instance, and should be a case of just letting your bank know what you are doing, so you can pay cheques, or accept transfers, with all three names into the same account.

What I don't know is what effect this might have on accepting Credit Card payments.

[Comspec]

Thanks KM, I had hoped that was how it would work :)

I'll speak to the bank, and see if my account will allow for all of this.

The credit card payments option isn't really a problem at the moment, as any we get are via Paypal at present. I'll be looking at a Card machine once the 3rd leg of the business is up and going, as we'll take a lot of card payments over the phone with it. At that stage, I'll see what can be done with the machine supplier/provider.