Contracting

Contracting doesn’t suit everyone, but it can offer a very rewarding, flexible and challenging lifestyle where you get to undertake projects in a wide range of clients globally.

If you’ve never contracted before, or would just like to review your options, here is some general information. If you would like to have a more detailed conversation please just give us a call and we’ll assist as much as we can.

Limited Company or Umbrella Company ?

There are 2 ways of working with us as a professional freelancer (contractor), either through your own limited company or an umbrella company.

First time contractors historically tend to choose the umbrella company route. As an independent contractor you will be responsible for paying your own tax and national insurance contributions, invoicing, payments and expenses and working compliantly etc.

Some contractors do not want the hassle of this when they are just getting started, so they choose to work through an umbrella company who will be responsible for all of those details on your behalf and allow you to concentrate on the actual contract without getting drowned in paperwork.

In addition if it is a one off, or short term contract assignment, then it is also a time when contractors tend to prefer using an umbrella company for ease and speed.

It is usually individuals that are on high value contracts and have been contracting for some time on longer term assignments that choose to set up/use their own limited company.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both ways of working. Our admin team will be happy to discuss options with you but will be unable to advise in any way. The final choice must be investigated and decided by you. From our side as long as the solution you choose is compliant we will be happy to proceed in either way.

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG)

‘The PCG was formed in May 1999 to lobby against the Government’s IR35 proposals. It has since evolved from being a single issue group, and its mission is to be recognised as the most effective organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the freelance community – irrespective of industry focus.

PCG’s aim is to work for proper recognition of independent freelancers as a genuine and valuable sector of the economy, generating wealth and employment, providing industry with a flexible workforce. PCG is a not-for-profit organisation run by freelancers for freelancers, and is committed to promoting members commercially and supporting their development.’

Their website address is below and contains more relevant information which may answer any questions you have. http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php