Advances paid possible to put through new co set up.

[Smithie]

Hi all, newbie post grateful for any help.

If I started as a sole trader consulting for a company in Jul 2011 and had received payments in nov 2011 and february 2012. I now want to setup a company and start invoicing. My question is can the two earlier payments be brought into the company as income/revenue and then a dividend be declared and paid by the 5 April 2012? Alternatively could I return these two advances as a loan from the company and re-invoice now from my new co?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated, on a tight deadline!

Thanks.