Reply to: Wording of contract

[Craig at Nixon Williams]

Hmmm. PCG accredited accountant training. Not sure about that one.
I'm with NW and they are, as I've said many times, excellent beyond belief. Really are.

Before NW I had a local accountant who was useless beyond belief. He was PCG accredited too. Quite how he managed to get that I'll never know (unless he was lying) because the guy was completely clueless.

Point being I'd much rather a good accountant who knows how to deal with contractors than someone who claims to be PCG accredited.

(I try to comment to PCG afterwards but they weren't interested to be honest unless he'd been specifically negligent. Bit disappointed that they are happy to list people but dont care if they're crap or not).

The PCG training is a good course, great for learning about some of the case law that has affected contractors over the years, but not something that is particularly useful on a day-to-day basis. Qualifications just mean that you can pass exams – they don’t say how good you are at doing something after you have the qualification! You could have an accountant that has all sorts of accreditations on their website but I’d say that’s useless if you can’t explain something in plain English!

[psychocandy]

A few of us at NW have received the PCG accredited accountant training and are able to carry out a contract review, but the existing specialists in this area already have a great reputation and can offer it at a much lower price than we could as new entrants to the market. We’d rather stick to what we’re good at and leave the contract reviews to those who are good at reviewing contracts.

Craig

Hmmm. PCG accredited accountant training. Not sure about that one.
I'm with NW and they are, as I've said many times, excellent beyond belief. Really are.

Before NW I had a local accountant who was useless beyond belief. He was PCG accredited too. Quite how he managed to get that I'll never know (unless he was lying) because the guy was completely clueless.

Point being I'd much rather a good accountant who knows how to deal with contractors than someone who claims to be PCG accredited.

(I try to comment to PCG afterwards but they weren't interested to be honest unless he'd been specifically negligent. Bit disappointed that they are happy to list people but dont care if they're crap or not).

[Clare@InTouch]

Join PCG, use the contract template, job done.

If you're working conditions don't match though that won't help in an investigation. The PCG contract is great, but it has to be true.

[Wanderer]

Join PCG, use the contract template, job done.

Then the agency tells the contractor to bugger off, they are using the standard tulipty agency contract, take it or leave it...

[v8gaz]

Join PCG, use the contract template, job done.

[Kate Cottrell]

I'm rather surprised none of the big contractor accountancy firms has launched their own IR35 service - a proper one with legal experts hired I mean. You'd think the likes of SJD/NW have enough customers to make this worthwhile; heck they could even have it underwritten by QDos and get a discount for the large volume of customers they can bring.

I think you will find that the reason that this has not happened is the very important Managed Service Company rules.

Kate Cottrell

[Craig at Nixon Williams]

I'm rather surprised none of the big contractor accountancy firms has launched their own IR35 service - a proper one with legal experts hired I mean. You'd think the likes of SJD/NW have enough customers to make this worthwhile; heck they could even have it underwritten by QDos and get a discount for the large volume of customers they can bring.

A few of us at NW have received the PCG accredited accountant training and are able to carry out a contract review, but the existing specialists in this area already have a great reputation and can offer it at a much lower price than we could as new entrants to the market. We’d rather stick to what we’re good at and leave the contract reviews to those who are good at reviewing contracts.

Craig

[d000hg]

I'm rather surprised none of the big contractor accountancy firms has launched their own IR35 service - a proper one with legal experts hired I mean. You'd think the likes of SJD/NW have enough customers to make this worthwhile; heck they could even have it underwritten by QDos and get a discount for the large volume of customers they can bring.

[Zero Liability]

We're starting to suggest people think about Qdos, PCG or Bauer & Cottrell

Would add Accountax to that list.

[kingcook]

Or go sole trader

... if you're not looking for the protection that a limited company provides.

[Craig at Nixon Williams]

We recommend Qdos for contract reviews, they have a lot of experience with IR35 and the feedback that we get from clients has been very positive.

I'd suggest the likes of Qdos, B&C (or the likes of) are in a much better position to review contracts than any accountant is as they are legal specialists and can offer insurance to cover you in an enquiry.

Craig

[Clare@InTouch]

Personally, I like to use InTouch's review service, but always have a QDOS review too.
For the most part, they reach the same conclusion.....

I would hope so

But IR35 is subjective to some degree, so it's entirely possible that different people reach different conclusions on certain points. But a review from Qdos may well be more detailed as they'll consider working conditions, and IR35 is what they do. It's all they do. It has to be better peace of mind.

If I was a contractor I'd join the PCG, get contract reviews done by a specialist and get IR35 insurance. None of that is massively expensive, but it could be a lifesaver later on.

[kevpuk]

wow. Major research and search fail. Use the search option as detailed in the Welcome section of the forum.

Search for 'contract review' or QDOS.

You will find everything you need to know about the contract. It will help you in the next steps and detail all the gotchas. IR35 is very complex so make you research it well and understand it.

This ^^

We're starting to suggest people think about Qdos, PCG or Bauer & Cottrell for contract reviews these days. Whilst we know about IR35 and can discuss it in detail, a formal contract review from a specialist firm will be better to rely on as proof of due diligence should HMRC come knocking. With the increase in activity in this area I'd advise as much proof as possible.

And this ^^

Personally, I like to use InTouch's review service, but always have a QDOS review too.
For the most part, they reach the same conclusion.....

[Clare@InTouch]

We're starting to suggest people think about Qdos, PCG or Bauer & Cottrell for contract reviews these days. Whilst we know about IR35 and can discuss it in detail, a formal contract review from a specialist firm will be better to rely on as proof of due diligence should HMRC come knocking. With the increase in activity in this area I'd advise as much proof as possible.

[stek]

Or go sole trader