Is registering a new business the same thing as _preparing to go into business?

I dont think it should be allowed because the idea of registration is that you are now legally open for business and all the benefits/responsibilities it entitiles, which is different from other examples like hiring a lawyer, buying office furniture…

I remember seeing an ethics question like this somewhere and the statement threw me off…

I think it’s the same. Note that registered business doesn’t imply one has clients.