Giant Trailblazer is gone, what are my options?

**Money Money Money** · 3 April 2007, 16:30

Originally posted by Peter Loew

Hi all,

I and many contractors where I work who do not know much about setting up an LTD received the email stating Giant is pulling their Trailblazer service just 3 days away from the budget change implementation.

We are in limbo as we have our LTDs registered through Giant.

Can somebody please advise me of the following:

1) Where to go for a good accountant to do my company accounts?
2) Advice on insurance, IR35, etc and where to get it
3) What do I have to do (if anything) to pull my company away from Giant?
4) Since my LTD has already been set up, is there anything further I need to do with it or can I start trading right away?
5) Is there anything else I should be aware of that needs addressing?

I'm sure loads of people here will benefit from your advice.

Thanks.

P

Mate you have 2 days!

Get yourself a brollie, or work your nuts off getting changed over!

**malvolio** · 3 April 2007, 16:58

And learn how to use the search function. All your answers are on here, mostly within the last three weeks. Some useful keywords might be SJD, NW, Darren, PCG...

Oh and welcome to the real world!

**David Fallon** · 3 April 2007, 18:23

Pointless Posts

come on..give the guy a break..we all have to start somewhere..

**malvolio** · 3 April 2007, 18:34

Originally posted by David Fallon

come on..give the guy a break..we all have to start somewhere..

Don't disagree - but this has been on the cards for over two years, was the subject of several posts in April 2006, was announced in anger in December's PBR and re-announced in the 2007 budget and has been all over the various contractor websites. And now, three days from D-day, the one provider of MSC services we all had our doubts about has dropped its ex-clients in it. The smell of coffee is quite strong, if people have the wit to sniff.

And actually my answer is a help. Some of us have answered all his questions, in detail, quite recently. I don't get paid for this, and I'm not about to write it all out again. Standard rule applies - do the research, then ask.

**Burdock** · 4 April 2007, 07:35

Peter, I agree with Malvolio to an extent, but seeing as you are panicking, here is what little hlep I can offer!

1) Most of the guys on this forum recommend Nixon Williams, SJD Accountancy, or Darren at 1st Accountancy Services (I think that is his company -sorry Darren!). If you search through this forum (Accounts section) you will come across these guys and their contact details. There is also a new kid on the block called ThePuma who is from a firm called Hillier Hopkins I think. Sorry if I have missed any regular accountant posters from this list- I am still a relative newbie myself!

2) Here is a link to some insurance advice: http://forums.contractoruk.com/thread16123.html
For IR35 advice scan these forums, or even better, join the Professional Contractors Group (www.pcg.org.uk). They have a wealth of info, but even better, IR35 investigation insurance is included in the membership fee.

3) Your new accountant -see 1- should be able to advise. Although I imagine they will be plenty busy at the moment!

4) see above

5) not that I know of

Best of luck!

**LisaContractorUmbrella** · 4 April 2007, 08:38

Hello Peter

Sorry to hear about your situation. You may be able to trade straight away with the company that Giant set up for you but I would think it unlikely. Most MSC's will not require you to set up a Limited Company bank account as they will receive funds into their own accounts and then distribute them to you and the Revenue as required. You should have been advised whether you have been set up as Director by Giant.

A decent accountant, several have been named for you in previous posts, will be able to advise you where you need to go from here. In the short term a good umbrella company will be able to help you out until you manage to get everything sorted out - just make sure there will be no financial penalties for short term use. Good luck.

**Peter Loew** · 4 April 2007, 10:32

Burdock and LisaContractorUmbrella,

Thank you very much for your advice and I will follow up on what you've written.

You've been very helpful.

P

**Matc** · 4 April 2007, 10:42

Iv'e also in the same situation as this, I have only set up my Limited company through Giant Trailblazer the other month and got this email yesterday.

luckily for me mum runs a bookeeping and payroll service so all that side of a business can be passed onto her as she also does other family members free of charge. She put in contact with her accountant yesterday and I had a meeting and went through the next stage of the process, he has given me details of a companies secretaires should I wish to use them and the local small business accounts manager at my local bank, so will go through the process of getting the bank account set-up tommorrow or early next week. Also quite luckily for me my accountants will check all my work contracts as part of there serivice to make sure they are either IR35 or not, and advise me of any issues, all for £100 Year End return set fee. Unfortunately as my new contract starts next Tuesday time is the only thing I dont have!

**malvolio** · 4 April 2007, 11:55

Originally posted by Peter Loew

Burdock and LisaContractorUmbrella,

Thank you very much for your advice and I will follow up on what you've written.

You've been very helpful.

P

Do I assume I wasn't?

Caught me on a bad day, actually, but I HAD just answered those same questions several times, and the answers to your questions were in the suggested keywords. Like I said, your lack of planning does not consitiute my need to write several paragrpahs out again.

Incidentally, PCG are doing a good safe umbrella now (PCG QU) and all three recommended accountants will build the LtdCo from scratch. However, going the umbrella route for the first three months is probably an excellent idea.

Giant Trailblazer is gone, what are my options?