Hi guys, first post and after advice..

[DavidP]

Not sure how much is within the remit of the site, but here goes.

New to contracting, 18 years working in IT, first time as a limited company and completely wet behind the ears with this.

Have been contracting 6 weeks, got first payment paid to my personal current account (big no-no I realise, but mortgage needed paying and business bank account was taking an age to set up).

It's an accountant I need help with, leaving myself wide open here for sharks, but was hoping for a recommendation.

My rate is 450 p/d, I've opted out of IR35.. contract is initially 3 months but likely to extend.

Any advice appreciated.

[jmo21]

Assuming you are not a troll...

<NorthernLadUK>First read the first timers guides over there ------> </NorthernLadUK>

[DaveB]

As above, read the first timers guides over there ------>


As for an accounant: the usual suspects around here are Nixon Williams, InTouch and SJD. All of whom post on here regularly with advice. All get generally good feedback and all have shown themselves willing to pick up complaints made here and deal with them.

Choice is yours. Best bet is to ring each of them and have a chat, then see who you feel most comfortable with.

Apologies to any accountants I've forgotton. I'm sure your wont be shy about making yourselves known

[northernladuk]

Assuming you are not a troll...

<NorthernLadUK>First read the first timers guides over there ------> </NorthernLadUK>

LOL actually... not this time. He is after a recommendation of accountant from what I can see and I did a thread on this which I will repost below.

One thing I would say to the OP (assuming he isn't a troll). You have to get your head around the business money and your money. The two are NOT interchangeable and cannot be dished out willy nilly. Obviously in this case you didn't have the business account set up so there are some mitigating circumstances so dunno if it is wholly wrong but from now on in make sure you are absolutely clear about the distiction between the two. This is contractor land now not permie.

As we get asked this so much I have compiled a list of accountant recommendation threads including requests for local services. To save time I have named accountants that have been recommended at least 3 times in these threads.

The general consensus of the threads I have read below are to go with the contractor specialist ones rather than a local bod. Knowing our business is better than face to face it seems. Some people are recommending a local guy so the choice is yours. I have done both and the specialist one wins hands down. I am with SJD.

SJD Accounting
Nixon Williams
InTouch Accounting
BCFA

Leeds
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...eeds-area.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ccountant.html

London
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...se-london.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ndon-kent.html

Herts
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ual-bunch.html

Newcastle
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...upon-tyne.html

Glasgow
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...sgow-area.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ccountant.html

General recommendation threads.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ccountant.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...endations.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...x-advisor.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ccountant.html
http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ccountant.html

Disclaimer : As pointed out to me some of these recommendations also mention Uptons who are no more and there is a thread on the this so forget that one. I cannot vouch for any others either. DYOR.

[Spacecadet]

SJD have been serving space cadet enterprises pretty well for 5 years

[jmo21]

LOL actually... not this time. He is after a recommendation of accountant from what I can see and I did a thread on this which I will repost below.

One thing I would say to the OP (assuming he isn't a troll). You have to get your head around the business money and your money. The two are NOT interchangeable and cannot be dished out willy nilly. Obviously in this case you didn't have the business account set up so there are some mitigating circumstances so dunno if it is wholly wrong but from now on in make sure you are absolutely clear about the distiction between the two. This is contractor land now not permie.

This ( and "opt out of IR35"?? urm?) is why I wondered if he was a troll and needing the first timer guides.

[malvolio]

Assuming you are not a troll...

<NorthernLadUK>First read the first timers guides over there ------> </NorthernLadUK>

And the PCG one at www.pcg.org.uk

And the "How to use the Search function" guide. You may have to search for that one...

got first payment paid to my personal current account Stupid and legally dangerous. You and YourCo are two entirely different legal entities, don't ever mix them up. If you want to divert company moeny, I'll look after it for you.

[SallyPlanIT]

My rate is 450 p/d, I've opted out of IR35.. contract is initially 3 months but likely to extend.

Any advice appreciated.

I'm afraid you cannot "opt" out of IR35. Your status is based upon the real working arrangements and what is stated in your contract. It is advisable to have contract review to ensure you are accounting correctly.

[DavidP]

Hi all, thanks for the advice, it is very welcome..

as you can see from the 'opt out of IR35' bit, I havent a clue what I'm talking about.

Looking at my contract extension, it says..

'EAA Conduct Regulations 2003 Contractor Status - Opt Out'

I was typing from memory earlier and got my 'IR's mixed up with my 'EAA's. I knew it said 'opt out' so suffice to say, put 2 and 2 together and got 35.. haha..

Read through the first timer bit and have to say, good work whoever put that together. Exactly what I was after.

For the record, I was recommended an accountant, Ist Contracting, after two phone calls to them and two online requests, they've still not called me back. Clearly dont need the work.

Thanks again for the advice, it is appreciated.