Reply to: Arrrrgh - More newb questions

[lukemg]

In business on your right are you? Sounds like you are a managed limited company at best.

A true business would always worry and care about these things

yawn - I take it you do every bit of company paperwork, returns etc yourself ? If so then I refer you to the famous comment regarding conducting one's own defence.
Usage of professional services in this regard has no bearing on whether I am in business 'on my right' ??

[bennyboy]

My g/f thought it only fair to point out that she has and earns more money than I do so if anyone's the gold digger it's me

Personally I think she has an obligation to keep me in the manner to which I have become accustomed

[ratewhore]

Apparently he bought her a new leg for christmas as a stocking filler...

[bennyboy]

Didn't Paul McCartney say that when he married the one legged gold digger.....

Makes sense to get your affairs in order while it's peacful!!

Good point.

This forums good for all kinds of advice apparantly

May be the mods should start up an Agony Aunt section.

[Ardesco]

Didn't Paul McCartney say that when he married the one legged gold digger.....

Makes sense to get your affairs in order while it's peacful!!

[bennyboy]

Naive boy...

Thought I might get a response similar to that. Believe me, my old man, my younger brother and myslef have all been through the worst it. I know a good thing when I see it.

Off topic!!!
Back to Contracting!

[ratewhore]

The relationship going sour isn't a problem...

Naive boy...

[bennyboy]

Whoa.. My wireless connection decides to take the morning off while this thread is running away without me

Seriously though thanks to everyone that's offered us advice. You've given us much to think about.

We'll be calling SJD and Nixon Williams this morning.

I have to ask... Are we being warned away from a joint company to avoid relationship complexities ie.. things go sour and she buggers of with my savings.. or to avoid actual business and tax complexities ie.. we're in completely different industries and will have different contracts. The relationship going sour isn't a problem as the only difference between us and a married couple is the piece of paper and the fact we still have sex

Cheers

Ben

[SallyAnne]

Oh good point... I can't wait for this newb fog to clear. Most of what I ask ends up sounding like common sense once you guys have responded I do think about my questions and read the forums before asking I swear!!!!

Anyone have anything to offer on the SJD firms? Some insight into how other people have found dealing with them would be great.

Hi BennyBoy - I signed up with SJD Accountancy about 4 years ago, as a newbie.
I didnt have the first clue of what I was doing to be honest - I just had a contract and went in to see them pretty much saying "help me, what do I do".
They formed my limited company, gave me my "how to be a contractor" handbook, sorted me a business bank account out, sorted out all my VAT stuff, gave me a spreadsheet that I have to fill in every 3 months and sent me on my merry way.
They'll give you as much help as you need, although they dont "offer" infomation. E.g. if you know the question to ask they'll answer it, but they're not very proactive.
All in all though, I like them. You know where you are with them, and if they managed to sort me out, I'm sure they'd be fine with you.
Their website is www.sjdaccountancy.com (not sure if you've seen it) but they've got load of info there.
I'd always suggest both you and your lass forming your own limited companies (dont go unbrella and dont do a join company).

It all seems scarey now, but just jump in feet first and see where you end up.

Good luck.

[boredsenseless]

Key thing is not to get too worried about all this, let them do that, you concentrate on getting a contract and the rest will sort itself out.

In business on your right are you? Sounds like you are a managed limited company at best.

A true business would always worry and care about these things

[lukemg]

I use SJD - you have 3 options with them:
- Straightforward umbrella - inside IR35 - 30notes a month, they do everything and send you what's left (very similar to working for a permie company)
- Managed limited - not a composite, this is your own company, they handle the admin and take all the pain away for 120/month (you need to be outside IR35)
- They will do a normal accounts service for you, setup company etc, you do some of the admin.

I am not a newb so require very little advice and I don't sweat if the cash is delayed 24 hours, I have found them very quick to respond to messages and the whole process has been painless.
Key thing is not to get too worried about all this, let them do that, you concentrate on getting a contract and the rest will sort itself out.

[Troll]

Not sure that that would help. In an inspection HMRC would consider each contract separately to determine whether they are inside or outside IR35. So I don't think it matters how many fee earners that you have, if they are all paid by dividends then HMRC will want to have a chat.

The enquiry would initiate against 'THE COMPANY' so which contract would they ask to see? & it's a similar structure - although on a smaller scale to the likes of IBM / HP
Also that was the actually comment from HMCR given to a couple (both contractors) I know who have their company set up like this.

[Apollo]

Re:Recommendation

To answer the original question, I signed up with SJD in August after reading recommendations here. Since then, I have raised some issues about the level of service I was receiving from my appointed accountant. The ultimate response I received was to be asked to find another firm.

From the posts on this forum, I am sure that this is not the normal level of service and of course I am totally to blame for the problems that I encountered. ..or am I? You will need to draw your own conclusion.

I have now approached Nixon Williams, who seem to have a refreshingly open attitude to answering newb questions.

Good luck with whoever you choose,
Alan

[Gonzo]

Dunno ... sure fire way of being out of IR35 is multiple income streams and more than one employee.
Only 1 companies House filing fee,

1 set of Accountants fees

Really depends if you can trust her not to pee off with your savings

Not sure that that would help. In an inspection HMRC would consider each contract separately to determine whether they are inside or outside IR35. So I don't think it matters how many fee earners that you have, if they are all paid by dividends then HMRC will want to have a chat.

[Troll]

I would not advise you both working through the same company. For many reasons such as tax, complexity etc, best to keep things separate, the cost savings is not that great anyway.

Alan

Dunno ... sure fire way of being out of IR35 is multiple income streams and more than one employee.
Only 1 companies House filing fee,

1 set of Accountants fees

Really depends if you can trust her not to pee off with your savings