Skip to contentSkip to search

Paid-up capital

Paid-up share capital is the nominal amount of issued share capital paid by shareholders. For shares issued at a premium, separate the nominal amount from the excess received. A company can have issued shares with amounts still unpaid where its legal arrangements permit this, so the issued and paid-up amounts need not always be identical. If shares are not fully paid, distinguish the unpaid obligation from cash already received.

Worked example

1,000 shares of 1 nominal value, fully paid, represent 1,000 paid-up capital.

Common mistake

Amounts paid above nominal value are share premium; unpaid share capital is different.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA FA Supporting September 2026–June 2027
ACCA K1 Supporting July 2027–August 2028
FIA FFA Supporting September 2026–June 2027

Related terms