Any of the contractor accountants take on more typical freelance/micro IT businesses?

[ContrataxLtd]

Having used both, I can say without a doubt that FreeAgent is far more suited to freelancers than Xero which would be more suited to small businesses.

But you wouldn't say that because you are reselling Xero.

I'd agree that Freeagent would be the way forward for the OP's friend (trying not to be biased as we use Freeagent alot). Having a number of clients that also use Xero I can safely say that Freeagent is much better for Consultants/Freelancers and Xero for your more traditional SME type businesses (all in my opinion of course).

To the OP, I would suggest your friend contacts a number of accountants to find one that will offer him a service he wants and a price for is happy with. He'll probably find that the bigger contractor specialists can't do much in terms of flexing the price but some of the smaller ones probably can.

Martin
Contratax Ltd

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

If he is a freelancer he might be better of with Xero over Freeagent. We run packages fixed fee @ £67+vat per month with Xero Subscription inclusive for Freelancers and what we call 'solopreneurs' more information on our website just google Tulip Smart Grope.

Having used both, I can say without a doubt that FreeAgent is far more suited to freelancers than Xero which would be more suited to small businesses.

But you wouldn't say that because you are reselling Xero.

[d000hg]

Ta. I had considered that most of the contractor specialists mightn't want 'small fry' freelancers, or at least wouldn't offer a product other than their typical one which is realistically a bit pricey. Sounds like some at least would be open for discussion - I'd very happily recommend my accountant (InTouch) but they're towards the pricier end these days as they added more features on top of bog standard accountancy.

[Jeremiah@RHJAccountants]

As mentioned by others any accountant who specialises in contractors and freelancers can help him.

We are one of many on here who can do this.

I would tell him to speak to a few and see what they can offer in terms of compliance, but also advice and tax planning.

[d000hg]

If a limited company contractor accountant doesn't fit, should he be a limited company contractor rather than a sole trader?

That's rather the point, he's not a contractor but is still a 1-man (for now) company. Sole trader was an option but Ltd is entirely reasonable and I'd probably lean that way myself; either way he already set up the Ltd, business account, etc so the point is moot

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

If he's freelancing as opposed to contracting limited company may not be the best bet from a tax point. But, it might be.

As Darren says, many of us would handle this. Probably around £50 pcm would seem fair dependent on client input. Use of Freeagent (or similar) would most likely mean accountant input would be limited to year end and some ad hoc "checking" throughout the year.

[Darren at Fox-Bartfield]

but do any of the usual suspects with a CUK presence offer services that might suit him? Or maybe someone here can recommend someone?

I'm sure most (including us) could tailor a service to suit your mate so as to win the business.

[LondonManc]

If a limited company contractor accountant doesn't fit, should he be a limited company contractor rather than a sole trader?

[d000hg]

A mate has recently decided to go professional freelance as a web dev/design shop after doing it for a while. He's set up a Ltd, which I think is a good shout, but I think is now a little unsure what to do regarding accountancy.

I don't think £100+ a month (he's not VAT registered) is a great value for the amount and cost of the work he does and he doesn't quite fit the typical contractor pattern. I wondered about suggesting he engages a local small-business accountant, but do any of the usual suspects with a CUK presence offer services that might suit him? Or maybe someone here can recommend someone?