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Debenture: a security issued by a company on which the interest is payable whether or not the company makes a profit. Companies issue securities in order to raise capital. The loan is usually secured by the general credit worthiness of the company rather than any specific item.

Debtor: an individual or organisation that owes the company money. This sum of these figures is counted as a current asset.

Deed: a legal document proving that an action has taken or will take place.

Director: a Director is an officer and agent of the company - who manages company business on behalf of the shareholders and has a duty of care, skill and good faith. Every company must have at least one Director. The secretary may be a Director but not the sole Director. See our Company Director help pages for more information.

Director (Nominee): appointed to represent substantial shareholders.

Director (Non-Executive): a part-time Director, usually with a specific expertise.

Dissolution: once a company is struck off the Companies Register it ceases to exist and is dissolved. The company will be dissolved when the Registrar publishes a notice to that effect in the London Gazette. At the time of striking off a letter will be issued to the contact name on Form 652a confirming the proposed date of dissolution.

Dividend: a sum paid to shareholders out of profits.

Dividends Payable: includes both proposed and paid items and provisions / appropriations determined by FRS4.

Dormant: a company is dormant during a period if it has had no “significant accounting transactions” during the period, (ie transactions which are required to be entered into its accounting records). A dormant company is not exempt from filing accounts but the accounts to be filed are much simpler than for a trading company. More on dormant companies here.