Reply to: Who offers the best contract review service?

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

Then you are outside IR35.

It's just a LOT harder to prove that because you need someone to prove that the contract doesn't reflect reality. When it's in HMRC's favour, they find it easy to do this; when it is in your favour, you may find it somewhat harder.

^^ very sage words. So many people don't get this.

[TheFaQQer]

What if your contract fails but your working practices pass? Always wondered this one.

Then you are outside IR35.

It's just a LOT harder to prove that because you need someone to prove that the contract doesn't reflect reality. When it's in HMRC's favour, they find it easy to do this; when it is in your favour, you may find it somewhat harder.

[northernladuk]

Quite happy with their service, I'm probably going to get PI from them as well. I read about their services searching on the forum...

You are da man/lady/person/homo sapien!!!!

[Sockpuppet]

What if your contract fails but your working practices pass? Always wondered this one.

[manubbo]

I used QDOS service, the Full Review with 24hrs turnaround for my first contract (£150 + VAT). Got a reply in 3 hours, full detailed review of every point in my contract - two or three clauses were not sure but overall everything looked good and the response was IR35 pass. As others said, keep in mind that is not only the contract that counts but more specifically the working practices - if the contracts says one thing and in reality that's not true, reality is going to count.

Quite happy with their service, I'm probably going to get PI from them as well. I read about their services searching on the forum...

[Danielsjdaccountancy]

About 25 years of working with PSCs, but who's counting! PCG accreditation I've commented on before and won't go into again, save to say when you were in the room at PCGs birth you end up with a slightly cynical view of the accreditation scheme, although clearly it has its merits for accounting professionals coming into the sector for the first time.

25 years, impressive Jessica - I share your concern regarding first timers.

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

By 'competent' I presume you mean PCG Accredited and 20 years’ experience?

About 25 years of working with PSCs, but who's counting! PCG accreditation I've commented on before and won't go into again, save to say when you were in the room at PCGs birth you end up with a slightly cynical view of the accreditation scheme, although clearly it has its merits for accounting professionals coming into the sector for the first time.

[Danielsjdaccountancy]

Good point well made. We will do reviews for IR35 - which we are competent to do - but not being lawyers I shy away from advising on general commercial issues and, of course, they are far more significant.

By 'competent' I presume you mean PCG Accredited and 20 years’ experience?

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

So who's looking at the commercial aspects of the contract, such as payment terms, notice periods, IPR ownership, dispute management...

It's not all about IR35. In fact, very little of it is.

Good point well made. We will do reviews for IR35 - which we are competent to do - but not being lawyers I shy away from advising on general commercial issues and, of course, they are far more significant.

[malvolio]

Based on the info I have. Yes, QDOS offer two levels of service. I reckon based on my conversations with the companies that the B&C service is better than the QDOS premium service.

If I had used both services, I probably wouldn't have posted the question in the first place....

Untouchable1

So who's looking at the commercial aspects of the contract, such as payment terms, notice periods, IPR ownership, dispute management...

It's not all about IR35. In fact, very little of it is.

[Untouchable1]

Based on the info I have. Yes, QDOS offer two levels of service. I reckon based on my conversations with the companies that the B&C service is better than the QDOS premium service.

If I had used both services, I probably wouldn't have posted the question in the first place....

Untouchable1

[northernladuk]

I spoke to Kate @ B&C and she is great. I concluded that B&C offer the best service - reviewing actual working practices in addition to the contract.

However, I have PI with QDOS, so am entitled to 3 free IR35 reviews. I don't think they are anywhere near as in depth and the ones offered by B&C, but they are free so it would be rude not to.

Case closed.

Thanks,
Untouchable1

So you haven't tried the competition or understood their offering but can confirm that B&C are the best? How does that work then? QDOS have a paid offering and a free one with PI. They come with different levels of service so not comparable like for like.

[Untouchable1]

I spoke to Kate @ B&C and she is great. I concluded that B&C offer the best service - reviewing actual working practices in addition to the contract.

However, I have PI with QDOS, so am entitled to 3 free IR35 reviews. I don't think they are anywhere near as in depth and the ones offered by B&C, but they are free so it would be rude not to.

Case closed.

Thanks,
Untouchable1

[Clare@InTouch]

better than all the rest?

I'm going to have Tina Turner in my head all day now.......

[Project Monkey]

Define "best"

better than all the rest?