Just starting out as a contractor...

[Sysman]

I'm in Hertfordshire, any local firms there you can recommend?

I don't like the idea of using a firm with lots of offices, would prefer the personal touch even if it costs a bit more.

Local paper / Yellow Pages?

[malvolio]

The criterion you need to worry about is how well they understand the IT Contractor business: most local accountants won't have much of a clue about the trickier things like IR35, and what we do is nothing like what a small business does.

You could do worse than start here:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?...st&Itemid=1204
and have a search. Looks like there are three within shouting range

[swamp]

Front page story on CUK:

http://www.contractoruk.com/news/004438.html

A cheap accountant is a false economy if there ever was one. Many contractors start by using old family friends, or people who are not specialists in contracting, and they end up doing all sorts of silly things. £60-£100 a month is about the going rate for a one-man-band Ltd. I know one chap who spends £200 a month on some idiot who has no clue about contracting. Also avoid just paying to do the books once a year.

[chris79]

My accountant is good, if you wanna go with him I'll get a referral too.. just pm me.

[Jerremy]

Hi Peter,

I have also recently started contracting on a temporary basis.

Are you looking to work as an umbrella company or a limited company?

[Whenimgone]

North Finchley?

Sairides Accountancy Services
Not sure how local but to be honest I met with my accountant once and by phone / post / email the rest of the time.
They charge £70 plus VAT a month and and do all accounting and payroll. They were very good with advice on startup too
Good luck

[Rupert Matthews]

Dear Pete

I'm a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser based in Royston, Herts.

We are PCG accredited as well. Get in touch if you are local / want to meet up to discuss your options with no obligation.

Good luck


Rupert

<admin note>Welcome to the forum Rupert, I have enable Private Messaging on your account</admin note>

[Petestar1969]

My accountant is good, if you wanna go with him I'll get a referral too.. just pm me.

Hi Chris,

I can't send pms, maybe because I'm new here, could you send me the name of your accountant by pm?

Cheers

<admin note>PM now enabled on your account</admin note>

[Fred Bloggs]

Does that £95 include VAT?

Would like more info on the 85% scheme.

I can't send pms, I think because I'm new here. Please post what you can in the main thread.

Cheers

Beware the risk that "you might" take to gain the extra few % of retention versus operating a plain vanilla Ltd company.

[Meades & Co]

spam removed