Clearsky, Parasol, SJD & Nixon Williams (Optionis) For Sale at £300m !!

[Waldorf]

This short article was published in The Sunday Times today.

“Freelance firm in £300m sale -

The private equity owner of Britain’s biggest accountancy firm for contract workers is weighing a sale or float.

City sources said Sovereign Capital has appointed advisors from PwC to review ‘strategic options’ for Optionis.

Optionis, based in Warrington specialises in selling accounting, payroll and tax advice for contractors and freelance workers. Its brands include Clearsky Contractor Accounting and Parasol.”

The price tag seems quite rich and perhaps they are bailing out before potential big changes take effect.

[MrButton]

perhaps they are bailing out before potential big changes take effect.

I would be doing the same if I was them.

[pr1]

wonder if they'd be open to a swap deal with mike ashley for NUFC

[Fred Bloggs]

Is that the sound of hysterical laughter in Monaco I hear?

[Invisiblehand]

This short article was published in The Sunday Times today.

“Freelance firm in £300m sale -

The private equity owner of Britain’s biggest accountancy firm for contract workers is weighing a sale or float.

City sources said Sovereign Capital has appointed advisors from PwC to review ‘strategic options’ for Optionis.

Optionis, based in Warrington specialises in selling accounting, payroll and tax advice for contractors and freelance workers. Its brands include Clearsky Contractor Accounting and Parasol.”

The price tag seems quite rich and perhaps they are bailing out before potential big changes take effect.

Got a link?

[TheFaQQer]

Got a link?

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...yday-0jrwmr8b5

[cojak]

I would be doing the same if I was them.

+1

Those accountants that rely solely on contractors are in for a tough time...

[northernladuk]

+1

Those accountants that rely solely on contractors are in for a tough time...

It'll be interesting to see if that fact will lead them to throwing some weight behind the campaign against the changes...... or not.

[Maslins]

It'll be interesting to see if that fact will lead them to throwing some weight behind the campaign against the changes...... or not.

#famouslastwords
Assuming we're talking IR35 public sector changes moving to the private sector too, I don't think it'll be as cataclysmic as some believe. Put my thoughts on this here if anyone's interested (or mods remove if you feel too "salesy"). I think whilst it will lead to some reduction in the number of Ltd Co contractors, I hope it would then lead to more stability.

Re the OP, hmmm...despite my comments above, I've checked down the back of the sofa and sadly don't have £300m.

[malvolio]

#famouslastwords
Assuming we're talking IR35 public sector changes moving to the private sector too, I don't think it'll be as cataclysmic as some believe. Put my thoughts on this here if anyone's interested (or mods remove if you feel too "salesy"). I think whilst it will lead to some reduction in the number of Ltd Co contractors, I hope it would then lead to more stability.

Re the OP, hmmm...despite my comments above, I've checked down the back of the sofa and sadly don't have £300m.

While I agree with your basic argument, that moving the decision to the client and forcing them to become involved is a positive, I fear the problem will be that the people making the determination will not be competent to do so. After all, we have enough problems with Human Remains interfering with our getting hired already and with them not having the faintest idea of the difference between permie and contractor (remember the case lost when the HR wonk said in court his company would not support the RoS clauses in the contractor's contract?)

Your approach will work if, and only if, the clients are fully up to speed on not only IR35, but also the client/contractor relationship (the real one, not the one the agencies sell) and the likely cost to them in terms of both money and risk that they will face if they get it wrong.

I've seen little evidence of that education taking place so far...