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Hi Karen
I've had this happen too. In my experience, my clients already had an Accountant so I was only responsible up to trial balance with both structures.
The changeover was very simple really, a new VAT number is issued because it is the 'company' that are registered, which is different to a Sole Trader, where it's the person that's registered, so you need to be mindful of that - but if your client wasn't previously registered, then this simplifies it somewhat.
There are a few differences with invoices..........where as with a sole trader, the invoice can be in the name of the business or the sole trader........with a limited company, the invoices must be in the name of the company. Accountants are aware that this can take a while to organise, so are willing to overlook the first month or two of invoices that may still be in sole trader names, but by month 3, you need to lean on your client much more if they're still giving you invoices without the Limited name on.
Expenses and reimbursements are another major difference. For example, whereas your sole trader may have been putting through his fuel and vehicle costs etc, this is not so easy in a limited company. If your client is a director, he will be able to claim a mileage allowance, but if he wanted to claim all his vehicle costs instead, then the vehicle needs to be owned by the company - and then it may have other implications of him using a company vehicle!
Credit Cards.......these need to be a business credit card. Do not allow your client, as director of his own limited company, to use his personal credit card for business expenses, this causes all sorts of issues and P11D hassle
I'm sure the Steve will have mentioned these and much more but I hope this helps too
Carol
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