My First Contract

[radish2008]

This scuppered me in my first 6 months (blindly trusting my first accountant), I suggest you google / get a second opinion on any advice your accountant gives you, it will help you to understand things yourself much better

Remember you're running your business not your accountant. Listen to them. Always check out what they say. The only advice my accountant gave me was "Don't take the piss" ...

[pr1]

Listen to your accountant and follow their advice.

This scuppered me in my first 6 months (blindly trusting my first accountant), I suggest you google / get a second opinion on any advice your accountant gives you, it will help you to understand things yourself much better

[DaveB]

Listen to your accountant and follow their advice.

Don't treat Company money as your own.

Save as much as possible during your first contract, you will need the warchest while you look for the next one, unless you are very lucky. Pay yourself the equivalent of your last permie salary until you have enough to live on for at least 3 months, preferably 6.

[l35kee]

FTFY

Yeah, you can get those other things without being a contractor. They are additions to the money.

[northernladyuk]

Hello

Yes, I've used Clearsky for a few years now. Does what it says on the tin and had no problems. Could possibly find a cheaper option but to be honest, I'm not that bothered.

Advice - Treat contracting as something additional to making money. It's about gaining experience, variety of work, meeting new people, building up contacts etc. Enjoy and good luck

FTFY

[Hertsseasider]

Hello

Yes, I've used Clearsky for a few years now. Does what it says on the tin and had no problems. Could possibly find a cheaper option but to be honest, I'm not that bothered.

Advice - Treat contracting as something other than making money. It's about gaining experience, variety of work, meeting new people, building up contacts etc. Enjoy and good luck

[northernladuk]

Stay away from NLUK.

But I can't tell him to go permie then....

[SueEllen]

Stay away from NLUK.

:sly:

[Bee]

Hello all,
...
I appreciate any info/advice/help that you could provide me!

Cheers

Stay away from NLUK.

[jamesbrown]

Do you have a specific question about clear sky? Not sure what you're asking for. If you just want a show of hands, I think the lack of responses gives you that.

The OP doesn't know what to ask.

OP: read the guides to your right ----->

There's even a link for First Timers

When you've done that, you might know what to ask...

[ladymuck]

Do you have a specific question about clear sky? Not sure what you're asking for. If you just want a show of hands, I think the lack of responses gives you that.

[SuperZ]

Nobody answer the newbie. Doh, too late.
Heard of them but don't use personally. Good luck in your contracting career. Save the pennies and by 40 you could be retire, unlike many of these old contractors who'll probably be pimps bi**hes still going into their 60's (pimp = agent btw).
Hope you've got yourself a decent rate. 21, first contract and London sets off alarm bells in my head. If not, at least you're starting young so can build up to it - getting that contracting experience is great .

[Bonkey]

Hello all,

Let me introduce myself and give you an idea of what I do.

The names Sam, I'm a 21 year old IT contracter based in the heart of London, I've recently taken up my first contract role (I've got 4 years of permanent based experience in the same industry).

The reason for me writing here is just for advice on what I should be aware of. Firstly, I'm using ClearSky, I've set up my own company and am paying them to do my taxes etc for me. Do any of you lovely people use ClearSky at all?

I appreciate any info/advice/help that you could provide me!

Cheers