How do you know if an accountant is ‘qualified’?
Before you appoint a specialist accountancy firm to look after your contracting books, ensure that you check what qualifications the firm holds. Read more
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Why don’t IT contractors set up as sole traders?
The most popular way to start up in business in the UK is as a sole trader. So why do IT contractors avoid this route, and work via their own limited companies or umbrella schemes? Read more
The advantages of contracting direct with clients
During your contracting career, you may have the opportunity to work for a client directly, without the involvement of a recruitment agency. Here we look at the benefits of working direct, and address some of the pitfalls. Read more
What are the public sector ‘off payroll’ IR35 rules?
From April 2017, new rules came into force which mean that the responsibility for operating IR35 now lies in the hands of clients rather than contractors themselves. Currently the new legislation applies only to public sector contracts. Read more
Why ‘contractors’ and ‘freelancers’ are not the same
The terms ‘contractor’ and ‘freelancer’ are often used interchangeably, however although both words are used to describe non-traditional professional workers, they represent quite different ways of working when it comes to tax, business structure and regulation. Read more
Can contractors benefit from the ‘Employment Allowance’?
If it is eligible, you company may be able to reclaim up to £3,000 of Employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from HMRC each year, thanks to the Employment Allowance. Read more
Contractor accountant fees – what are the typical costs?
You can pay anything from £50 to £150 per month for a contractor accountant. So what should this monthly fee include, and what ‘extras’ might you have to pay? Read more
Typical duties of a specialist contractor accountant
A specialist accountant will provide a number of services to look after the tax and accounting needs of your limited company. Here we look at the typical tasks they undertake for a monthly fee. Read more
Limited companies – what are the Articles and Memorandum of Association used for?
We look at two of the documents required when you set up a company, with particular reference to the Articles of Association. Read more
Umbrella company expense claims – a concise guide
One of the first things umbrella contractors ask is – what can they claim for on expenses? The truth and ‘mistruths’ about reclaiming contractor expenses. Read more