Considering a career in contracting? Here’s everything you need to know about IR35
Stepping out into the unknown world of contracting can be daunting, especially when there’s so much to get your head around. From leaving the security that permanent employment provided to getting everything ready, there’s plenty of things a contractor needs [...]
Your contractor accounting glossary of terms
Do you know your RTI from your PAYE? Contractor accounting can seem full of jargon and acronyms – so here’s a quick overview with our contractor accounting glossary of terms.Annual Financial AccountsAnnual Financial Accounts often referred to as Company Accounts [...]
Top things to consider when choosing a contractor accountant
If you’ve chosen to become a contractor, firstly, congratulations as you’re joining a growing club of skilled specialists.If you’re on the fence and aren’t 100% sure if contracting is right for you, download our free guide to contracting and see [...]
Grants and loans available to contractors
Small businesses including contractors and freelancers have become a driving force in the UK. The latest figures by IPSE – the Association of Independent Professional and the Self Employed, puts the number of self-employed at 4.8 million, who contributed £275 [...]
Freelancing from a coworking space – could it work for you?
The world of work is changing, and more and more people are choosing to become self-employed freelancers and contractors. IPSE (Association of Independent Professionals and Self-Employed) states that the number of self-employed in the UK now equates to 4.8 million, [...]
Contracting abroad: Why professional advice is a must
If you’re offered the opportunity to contract abroad, it may be tempting to grab your passport and rush off to the airport. Not many people would blame you for doing this, as depending on the country you’re contracting in, you [...]
Surviving your first year as a contractor
Right now, is a fantastic time to become a contractor, particularly if you work in the IT and tech sector. Contractors with specialist skills in data science, cybersecurity, frontend developers and change managers are especially in high demand. And, our [...]
Top tips for dealing with stress an IT contractor
The IT sector can be a highly pressured environment, with clients demanding you get systems or projects up and running within the shortest time possible. This can lead you to working long hours to meet these tight deadlines. While you [...]
Harnessing the power of client testimonials
As well as having a killer CV and dazzling references another way to get work as a contractor is having client testimonials on your website or social profiles. A client testimonial is a mini case study which is provided [...]
Tips on how to use LinkedIn for your contracting services
Love or loathe social media, it’s hard to ignore it. Since its launch in 2003 LinkedIn has grown to be one of the top ten biggest social media platforms – it has over 500 million global registered users with 25 [...]
Should IT contractors have their own website?
Research by APSCo (Association of Professional Staffing Companies) shows that the demand for IT professionals has increased by 28% year-on-year. And our own research into contractor salaries (available in our article ‘Top paying contractor roles’) shows that IT contractors are [...]
How to generate leads as a contractor
The vast majority of contractor’s secure work through a recruitment agency as it takes the hassle out of job searching and recruiters have access to more job opportunities. Yet, by marketing your contracting business it’s possible for clients to approach [...]
5 ways to increase your take-home pay
One reason why people choose to become contractors is that they can have the ability to earn more than they did as an employee. This is because they can charge higher rates and if they think about how they structure [...]
CV advice you really need as a contractor
According to Forbes, the average number of people who apply for a job is 118! Incredible isn’t it? While this figure may not be a true representation of every sector or specialism, it does show that competition for roles can [...]
Things to consider when making children shareholders
If you run a limited company and have children, you can give them a stake in the business and provide them with the opportunity to benefit from any profit the business makes by making them shareholders. If your children are [...]
Company bank accounts: do I need one for a private limited company?
One of the fundamental things to understand when contracting through a private limited company is that the business is a separate legal entity to you. This means that any money which is held within the company belongs to the business [...]
Can I reclaim expenses from before I formed my limited company?
If you spent money on setting up your business before you incorporated it, you may be able to claim for some or all of these pre-trading expenses, as long as they are legitimate business expenses.This article looks at what is [...]
Pros and cons of a limited company
For many contractors, it makes financial sense to work through their own limited company. Plus, many organisations and agencies will only work with limited company contractors.We’re sure you’ve heard the many myths that surround setting up and running a limited [...]
Overseas contracting: top things to remember when contracting abroad
If you’ve had enough of the British weather and pine for warmer weather, or, if you’re keen to try out working in a different country, then contracting overseas could be a great option. Plus, it’s never been easier to work [...]
Is my private limited company IR35 compliant?
Working as a contractor is an exciting career path, but it also involves understanding a plethora of tax regulations. One of the most complex areas of tax for contractors is the Intermediaries Legislation, otherwise known as IR35. Significant changes have [...]