Reply to: Preferred Agent

[Sausage Surprise]

Have spoken to Modis and LA, and got an email reply from Experis. Very impressed with Modis (on information provided) and the margin is the lowest of all three. Think I'll go with Modis.

Accountant next to help setting up LTD. Judging from threads in this forum, SJD is the way to go?

Thanks

There are much cheaper and just as good accountants as SJD

[JRCT]

Never a finger in the air choice.

Get rid of all the blokes first off. Then ask the others to send you a picture. Go with the one with the biggest <edit - professional forum>

Simple.

It's funny you should say that. Many years ago I needed a new bank account. I walked down the high street trying to decide which of the 12 different banks I should choose (there was no such thing as internet banking in those days).

I was earning about £50 a week at the time so interest rates weren't going to persuade me, but the woman working in the Alliance & Leicester was gorgeous. So that's where I went. Needless to say I never said anything to her other than "I'd like to open an account please".

I put £100 in - all I had to my name - and a few weeks later they changed from a building society to a bank and I got £1400 in free shares. And all because of that gorgeous gal.

[TheFaQQer]

Do you have any recommendation from the list of agents below? Or is it just "a finger in the air type" choice?

List of agents:
CBS Bulter, IQUO, Kelly Services, LA International, Modis (Adecco), NCC Group (SDLC), Hemmersbach, PS Computer Services, Rullion IT, Synergize, Tech Mahinhdra, Experis UK.

Thank you very much.

Never a finger in the air choice.

Get rid of all the blokes first off. Then ask the others to send you a picture. Go with the one with the biggest <edit - professional forum>

Simple.

[CheeseSlice]

Used CBS. A few payment cock ups and they didn't make any contact with me about potential renewals prior to the contract ending. I had to remind them it was about to end.

[mokster]

Thank you very much all.

Things are progressing and I've decided to go with Modis as the rate is the best out of the lot. I am also getting quite a lot advice and supports from them (although I have nothing to compare this with).

[ladymuck]

I used Modis donkey's years ago, don't remember anything horrific.

I also used SJD for a little while, again no real issues. I only stopped using them because I can do 90% of my accounts myself and I was paying for way more than I needed.

I would suggest that you check your contract and ensure any clause saying you can't work for the client via another agency (or direct) is removed. You were told to approach the agency, they didn't find you, so they can't claim dibs and charge a finders fee if you want to swap agencies in the future. An IR35 check won't flag this up.

Oh and good luck in your first contract!

[TheFaQQer]

Accountant next to help setting up LTD. Judging from threads in this forum, SJD is the way to go?

Find the one that you are most comfortable with - many people here use SJD, Nixon Williams, InTouch, Crunch and others.

I preferred InTouch to SJD's spreadsheet, and NW didn't have a portal when I moved from another accountant to InTouch. Crunch seems to have the best portal (by many accounts) but you may want something different as a new starter.

Ring them all, email them, discuss what you expect and then make that decision yourself - what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander etc.

(But if you choose InTouch then stick me down as a referral )

[BolshieBastard]

Now after 5 years or so I'm starting to think about a cheaper one as they are relatively expensive, but again they were a great help for the first few years to get you accustomed with everything.

Oh dear!

[BolshieBastard]

Hi all,

I am in the process of getting my first contract. The client has asked me to choose an agent from their preferred list, register with the agent and let client know. The process with then go from there.

Do you have any recommendation from the list of agents below? Or is it just "a finger in the air type" choice?

List of agents:
CBS Bulter, IQUO, Kelly Services, LA International, Modis (Adecco), NCC Group (SDLC), Hemmersbach, PS Computer Services, Rullion IT, Synergize, Tech Mahinhdra, Experis UK.

Thank you very much.

Id bin tech mahrindra straight off. Then, Id contact the agencies and tell each one you have a contract but client wants you to work through an agent. Dont tell them who the client is.

Tell them, as a consequence of putting the business through them, you will be opting in ie not opting out, want a non handcuff \ competition clause as standard. You also dont want any clause saying you can only have an increase after 12 months.

You also want to know what their margin is and after 3 \ 6 months, want their margin to be no more than 5% on top of your rate.

Do a table of those prepared to deal (Rullion may not entertain you if you do not want to opt out) and base your choice on that.

DONT just use a pin and those on the PSL.

[malvolio]

I've set up my Ltd with the help of SJD, was absolutely fine, also sorting out bankaccount, insurances and VAT registration.
I would certainly recommend them to start your business
Now after 5 years or so I'm starting to think about a cheaper one as they are relatively expensive, but again they were a great help for the first few years to get you accustomed with everything.

How many more times? Good accountants are free.

[Eirikur]

I've set up my Ltd with the help of SJD, was absolutely fine, also sorting out bankaccount, insurances and VAT registration.
I would certainly recommend them to start your business
Now after 5 years or so I'm starting to think about a cheaper one as they are relatively expensive, but again they were a great help for the first few years to get you accustomed with everything.

[mokster]

Have spoken to Modis and LA, and got an email reply from Experis. Very impressed with Modis (on information provided) and the margin is the lowest of all three. Think I'll go with Modis.

Accountant next to help setting up LTD. Judging from threads in this forum, SJD is the way to go?

Thanks

[malvolio]

No margin, just agreed my day rate direct with client, which I get from the agency. What the client pays the agency, not my issue, I get what I asked for.

OK, I understand that. Not sure you do, but as long as you're happy with what you get...

[AJ1982]

Ermm...

So you agreed £400 with the client. The agency do the job at a not unreasonable 9% margin giving a total cost of £440 to the client, but you've agreed a 5% margin so you get £418 out of the £440. That's 4.5% pay rise for no effort...

Always pay attention to the margins. That's where the money is,

No margin, just agreed my day rate direct with client, which I get from the agency. What the client pays the agency, not my issue, I get what I asked for.

[malvolio]

Not sure the options available to OP are, but I was hired direct and made to go through agency. I already head my day rate agreed, what the agency got, not my problem.

Ermm...

So you agreed £400 with the client. The agency do the job at a not unreasonable 9% margin giving a total cost of £440 to the client, but you've agreed a 5% margin so you get £418 out of the £440. That's 4.5% pay rise for no effort...

Always pay attention to the margins. That's where the money is,