Reply to: I start a contract next week, need advice?

[TykeMerc]

PCG membership is woth it. Go for the + package. The insurance and advice is worth far more than the fee.

I am not a big fan of the PCG. I have mede my feelings clear in a number of threads BUT being a member is a no brainer.

Fair point, especially as the OP is new to contracting, he will probably get more value out of it than you or I. Good advice.

[The Lone Gunman]

PCG membership is debatable, some think it's great, others think it's a bit pants.

PCG membership is woth it. Go for the + package. The insurance and advice is worth far more than the fee.

I am not a big fan of the PCG. I have mede my feelings clear in a number of threads BUT being a member is a no brainer.

[TykeMerc]

OOh a newbie?? Where's the party then?

I think this is a real one who needs real advice rather than a weak sockpuppet who needs their house trashing by a colossal p1$$ up. I could be wrong of course

[Pogle]

OOh a newbie?? Where's the party then?

[Fred Bloggs]

Can't really see what the fuss is about here to be honest. If the OP can't understand what he's doing at this stage, should he/she even be contracting? If you call a contractor focussed accountant, I guess you'll be up and running by 4.00pm today, sorted. The bank account takes a little longer as does VAT registration. But, as far as I can see, if the OP can't sort this out, he's a lot better of as an umbrella company employee rather than a LTD co contractor anyway.

[TykeMerc]

You can normally get a certificate of non trading (whether it's worth the paper is another thing of course), you can also normally get a same day service. Certainly years ago it was much more complex to form from scratch so formation agents were a useful service - and still are in my view - what is the turnaround time for companies house now? It used to be ages.

Exactly why trust a certificate issued by the vendor who has a vested interest in selling the asset, pointless risk.
Formation agents or using Companies House website can get a company set up in under an hour if there's nothing weird required. The cost is very low and only increases if a printed Certificate of Incorporation is required and it's still cheap.

Since the guy is totally new to contracting he would be well advised to find a decent accountant who can hold his hand a bit to get him through the early days, quite a few accountancy firms have posters on here. Plus read the First Timer guides.

PCG membership is debatable, some think it's great, others think it's a bit pants.

[The Lone Gunman]

You can normally get a certificate of non trading (whether it's worth the paper is another thing of course), you can also normally get a same day service. Certainly years ago it was much more complex to form from scratch so formation agents were a useful service - and still are in my view - what is the turnaround time for companies house now? It used to be ages.

A decent accountant will set you up with a company sharpish, today probably, certainly before it is needed.

<blatant>I use Darren at Upton (do a member search) for all my accountancy stuff.</blatant>

[ASB]

Rubbish!!!!
Just because a vendor claims that it's a never traded company why the hell would you believe them and risk it. Sure you can check, but that costs time and effort.

For the miniscule cost and time required to set up a company from scratch why would anyone with even an ounce of sense take the risk that their new company had a history?

You're talking complete and utter cobblers and I certainly don't believe that you're Chartered or an accountant as your advice is utterly misguided and certainly not of a professional standard.

You can normally get a certificate of non trading (whether it's worth the paper is another thing of course), you can also normally get a same day service. Certainly years ago it was much more complex to form from scratch so formation agents were a useful service - and still are in my view - what is the turnaround time for companies house now? It used to be ages.

[malvolio]

Take the simple route...

http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?...25&Itemid=1205

And read all the First Timer guides, you are in dangerously difficult terirtory if you don't know what you're doing.

[mrdonuts]

[QUOTE=pzz76077;879736][QUOTE=


you will definitelyneed an accountant[/QUOTE]


but not straight away, you have plenty of time to sort out someone competent and CHEAP

[pzz76077]

Rubbish!!!!
Just because a vendor claims that it's a never traded company why the hell would you believe them and risk it. Sure you can check, but that costs time and effort.

For the miniscule cost and time required to set up a company from scratch why would anyone with even an ounce of sense take the risk that their new company had a history?

You're talking complete and utter cobblers and I certainly don't believe that you're Chartered or an accountant as your advice is utterly misguided and certainly not of a professional standard.

Easy one then= when you buy a new off the shelf company, get the formation agent to confirm that it has never traded. Easy eh??

I don't know of anyone that has any issues similar to the ones you mention, just the opposite in fact.

PZZ


PZZ

[TykeMerc]

Its a well known fact that all off the shelf companies have never traded- ask any company formation agent.

Don't know where you are coming from??

PZZ

Rubbish!!!!
Just because a vendor claims that it's a never traded company why the hell would you believe them and risk it. Sure you can check, but that costs time and effort.

For the miniscule cost and time required to set up a company from scratch why would anyone with even an ounce of sense take the risk that their new company had a history?

You're talking complete and utter cobblers and I certainly don't believe that you're Chartered or an accountant as your advice is utterly misguided and certainly not of a professional standard.

[pzz76077]

Unless you investigate the history of the "off the shelf" company how the hell do you know that it's never traded or had financial activities linked to it or the Directors appointed at formation. It's an idiotic risk when you can form one from scratch in minutes, hence it's a STUPID IDEA.

If you were in fact a Chartered Accountant you would know that.

Its a well known fact that all off the shelf companies have never traded- ask any company formation agent.

Don't know where you are coming from??

PZZ

[TykeMerc]

Utterly dumb idea, off the shelf companies could have a hidden history!!! It's far better to find one of the incredibly numerous set up companies who will charge £25-50 and sort a company in under an hour. You can even do it yourself on the Companies House webby. Many accountants will also sort you one and you will definitely need an accountant, there are loads of contractor savvy ones on the board.

Complete crap - off the shelf companies have never traded so how could they have a hidden history?? What are you talking about??

Unless you investigate the history of the "off the shelf" company how the hell do you know that it's never traded or had financial activities linked to it or the Directors appointed at formation. It's an idiotic risk when you can form one from scratch in minutes, hence it's a STUPID IDEA.

If you were in fact a Chartered Accountant you would know that.

[pzz76077]

T






A lot harder to do in practice than to type, many Agencies will moan like hell about revising a contract and some will outright refuse.

Hence, talk to the agent first!