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 [...]
Making a will as a contractor
We all know that we should make a will, yet figures released in 2018 by Unbiased show that a staggering 60% of UK adults (approximately 31 million people) don’t have a will. Reasons given for not making a will include [...]
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 [...]
Late payments: what are your rights?
Working in the service industry means that at some point you will encounter a client who fails to pay your invoice on time. Chasing clients for unpaid invoices can be stressful and it also wastes a lot of time. On [...]
How to write the perfect invoice
If you decide to work as an independent contractor, one of the tasks you will need to familiarise yourself with is the preparation and issuing of invoices for the services you have provided. Ensuring the invoice contains all the necessary [...]
What insurance does my limited company need?
You may not think that running a limited company is risky, and the majority of time it’s not. Yet, it’s important that you try and plan as much as possible for scenarios that could affect your business and your income.Taking [...]
Bookkeeping tips for contractors
Bookkeeping is the cornerstone of accounting. Get it wrong and not only could you be in trouble with HMRC, but you could misjudge the financial position of your limited company. In this article, we discuss the integral role that bookkeeping [...]
Buying a company car as a contractor
The majority of contractors use their personal car to travel to and from their clients' offices. Those who do will use HMRC’s Mileage Approved Rates (MAPs) to claim for the cost of these journeys. However, they also have the option [...]
Protect yourself from HMRC scammers
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods to scam people into handing over their personal and bank details. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau around four million people are scammed each year in the UK. The scary thing is, this [...]
Fuel efficient cars for contractors
As a contractor who operates through a limited company and who uses your own vehicle to travel to your clients’ office, you should be used to claiming for mileage expenses. With the fluctuating fuel costs, you may have noticed that [...]
Contracting abroad – what to consider
If you are a contractor whose skills are in high-demand, you may at some point in your contracting career find yourself with an offer to work abroad.Not only could this be fantastic for your career, it also offers you the [...]
Productivity apps for contractors
It seems like the term ‘productivity’ is the buzzword of the moment. Everyone wants to be more productive with their time. This led us to ask, what is productivity and why is it so important? The technical definition of [...]
Understanding your contract – what to look out for
So, you’ve decided that you want to become a contractor. Your next step will be to decide how you are going to operate as a contractor. Two of the options available is through a limited company or via an umbrella [...]
The importance of a work life balance for contractors
The reason why some choose to become a self-employed contractor is that they want to achieve a better work-life balance. They are tired of being told when and where they must work. The idea behind becoming a contractor is that [...]
How to get tax-free childcare for contractors
If you’re a contractor and have children, you can choose to pay for their childcare costs through your limited company. The benefit of this is that it may qualify for tax relief and National Insurance Contributions exemption. This is great [...]
5 top tips to organise your company costs and expenses
Working as a contractor may be new to you, or it may be something that you have been doing for a while. Whatever stage of the contractor life-cycle you're in, there are some things that are good to be reminded [...]
Switching Contractor Accountants
Every successful relationship is built on trust. This is particularly important when forming professional relationships, like with an accountant. However, there may be times, for one reason or another, when that trust is no longer there, and you feel the [...]
Life as an IT Contractor
Are you dissatisfied with your current role? Do you find yourself sitting and looking at your screen dreaming of what it would be like to ‘go it alone’ and become a contractor? If this sounds like you – dream no [...]
The top certifications your accountant should have
You work hard for your money, so you want to make sure that the person you ask to look after it knows what they are doing. It’s easy for an accountant to boast about their experience and how many clients [...]
Contracting in Cybersecurity
ContractorUK lists cybersecurity contractors as one of the most sought-after IT specialists. This statement is backed-up by a report that was released in December 2017 by The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). The report states that the demand for [...]