Companies Registration Office (Ireland) facts for kids

The Companies Registration Office (CRO) is an important office in Ireland. Its main job is to help new companies officially start up. It also keeps records of all companies and makes sure they follow the rules.

The CRO also helps people find information about different businesses in Ireland. It's like a central library for company details!

What the CRO Does

The Companies Registration Office has several key tasks:

• Helping New Companies Start: The CRO helps new businesses become official companies. This process is called "incorporation."
• Keeping Company Records: After a company starts, the CRO collects and records important documents from it. These documents help keep track of the company's activities.
• Making Sure Rules Are Followed: The CRO checks that companies send in their yearly reports and other required papers on time. This helps keep everything fair and transparent.
• Sharing Information: The CRO makes information about companies available to the public. This means you can look up details about different businesses.

Other Businesses Registered by the CRO

The CRO doesn't just deal with big companies. It also registers other types of businesses:

• Sole Traders: These are businesses owned and run by one person.
• Partnerships: These are businesses owned by two or more people working together.

The CRO also includes the Office of the Registry of Friendly Societies. This part of the office registers special groups like:

• Industrial & Provident Societies
• Friendly Societies
• Trade unions (groups that support workers)

Register of Beneficial Ownership

In 2019, a new system was started in Ireland called the Register of Beneficial Ownership. This was created because of rules from the European Union.

• Why it Exists: These rules help stop illegal money activities. They make sure that countries know who truly owns and controls companies.
• What is a Beneficial Owner?: A beneficial owner is someone who owns more than 25% of a company. This register helps make sure that the real owners of companies are known.

See also

• List of Irish companies
• List of company registers