Contractor accountants
Accountants for contractors
For limited company contractors in every sector. Fixed fees from £99 a month, FreeAgent included, IR35 help when you need it.
- FreeAgent Gold Partner
- Fixed monthly fees
- Bristol accountants since 2007
Why contractors choose us
Everything a limited company contractor needs, for one monthly fee
Whether you're an engineer, a project manager, a consultant or an interim, if you contract through your own limited company we can look after all of it: accounts, corporation tax, payroll, VAT, your tax return and IR35. Fixed monthly fees, FreeAgent included, and a team that knows how contracting works.
Set up properly from day one
We can form your company, register it for the taxes it needs, open the right bank account and get FreeAgent running, so you're ready to invoice from your first week.
Paying yourself tax-efficiently
We plan your salary, dividends and pension contributions together each year, and look at them again when your contract, your rate or your other income changes.
IR35 help when you need it
We help you make sense of status determinations, and clients can get an independent IR35 contract review through our partners at Kingsbridge.
No year-end surprises
With your books in FreeAgent and a quarterly review on our Premium plans, you know what tax is coming and can put it aside as you go.
Between contracts, or switching
Gaps between contracts, a move from umbrella to limited company, or a switch from another accountant: we can help with all of it.
People you can talk to
A named client manager, a free review meeting every year, and phone and email support included in your fee.
Who we work with
Contractors in every sector
Contractors typically provide a professional service through a one-person limited company. We work with contractors across lots of industries, including:
- IT and software: developers, engineers, architects, testers, data and security specialists. More for IT contractors
- Engineering and architecture
- Management and medical consultants
- Project and programme managers, interims and change specialists
- Advertising, marketing and PR
- Contractors working inside and outside IR35
Limited company or umbrella?
Choosing how to contract
A limited company gives you the most control over how you're paid and what you can claim, and usually suits contracts outside IR35. An umbrella company can be simpler for a contract that sits inside IR35. Some contractors use both at different times.
There's no one answer for everyone. In your free meeting we'll look at your contracts and your plans and tell you which we think suits you, even if that means you don't need us yet.
Read more: limited company vs self-employed vs employed and our IR35 guide.
Switching accountant
Moving to us is simple
You don't need to wait for your year end. When you join us, we:
- Contact your current accountant for the records and handover information we need
- Move your books into FreeAgent, or tidy up the FreeAgent account you already have
- Check your salary and dividend set-up and your payroll
- Put every deadline in our system, so nothing is missed in the handover
Bristol and UK-wide
Contractor accountants in Bristol, working UK-wide
We're a Bristol firm, founded here in 2007, and we're happy to meet in person. But you don't need to: we work with contractors right across the UK, online.
Meetings are by appointment at 1 Park Road, BS16 1AZ or 1 Lindsay Road, BS7 9NP, or on a video call. Clients are welcome to ring us on 0117 290 0007 without an appointment, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Fixed monthly fees
Fixed fees for contractors
If your company is VAT registered, Ltd Premium is usually the right fit: it adds VAT returns, quarterly FreeAgent reviews and salary and dividend planning. Ltd Tax Boost adds help for higher earners, rental and foreign income.
FreeAgent is included in every plan. Why we use FreeAgent
Limited Company
Up to £90K turnover
£99a month + VAT
Book a free meetingWhat's included
- Registration for taxes
- Confirmation Statement
- Company accounts
- Corporation tax return
- Payroll for 1
- FreeAgent subscription
- Annual review meeting
- Phone & email support
Ltd Premium
Up to £250K turnover
£145a month + VAT
Book a free meetingWhat's included
- Registration for taxes
- Confirmation Statement
- Company accounts
- Corporation tax return
- Payroll for 2
- Up to 2 tax returns
- FreeAgent subscription
- VAT returns
+ 6 more includedShow less
- Auto enrolment administration
- Quarterly FreeAgent review
- Salary and dividends planning
- Help to minimise income taxed at 40%
- Annual review meeting
- Phone & email support
Ltd Tax Boost
Up to £250K turnover
£185a month + VAT
Book a free meetingWhat's included
- Registration for taxes
- Confirmation Statement
- Company accounts
- Corporation tax return
- Payroll for 2
- Up to 2 tax returns
- FreeAgent subscription
- VAT returns
+ 13 more includedShow less
- Auto-enrolment administration
- Quarterly FreeAgent review
- Salary and dividend planning
- Annual review meeting
- Rental income
- Foreign income
- Help to minimise tax on income over £100K
- High income pension tax charge
- Review and amendments to shareholdings
- Help to minimise corporation tax at higher rates
- Projections of tax due for up to 2 years
- Capital Gains Tax
- Phone & email support
All prices are per month plus VAT. We give you a personal quote in your free meeting. See all our prices.
Reviews
What our clients say
“I'm a software contractor and they offer the type of service I like: there when you need them, but efficiently taking care of things behind the scenes when you don't. Price-competitive and run by a lovely bloke, I've nothing but praise for them.”
Richard HarrisonNothing but praise “Not only are they professional, diligent and organised, but crucially for me they also communicate clearly and frequently, which is essential for timely and efficient interventions and a strong supplier-client relationship.”
Nicholas HemleyClear communication “Prior to commissioning Focus my understanding of how my business accounts worked was patchy at best. Barry and the team have not only helped me gain a much clearer picture of how my business accounts stack up but they have also made a raft of suggestions that have improved my personal and tax liabilities.”
John WylesHighly recommended! Questions
Questions contractors ask us
Straight answers to what we hear most from contractors thinking of joining us.
Do I need a contractor accountant, or will any accountant do?
Any qualified accountant can prepare your company accounts. What a contractor accountant adds is knowing the things that matter to contractors: IR35, the temporary workplace rules for travel, how to pay yourself from a one-person company, and what to do between contracts. That's where most of the savings and most of the mistakes are.
How much does a contractor accountant cost?
Our limited company plans are £99, £145 and £185 a month plus VAT, depending on your turnover and what you need. FreeAgent is included in all of them, and there are no hourly charges for questions. See what each plan includes.
Do you work with contractors outside Bristol?
Yes. We work with contractors all over the UK. Everything runs through FreeAgent, our secure client portal, email, phone and video calls, so you never need to visit the office, although you are welcome to.
Can you set up my limited company?
Yes. We can form the company, register it for corporation tax, PAYE and VAT, set up payroll and FreeAgent, and help you choose a business bank account.
What happens if I'm between contracts?
Your company carries on as normal and your fee stays the same. Talk to us before you take money out during a gap: we'll help you plan it so you're not paying more tax than you need to.
Can you help with IR35?
Yes. We help you understand what a status determination means for you and how to run the contract, and clients can get an independent IR35 contract review through Kingsbridge. Read our IR35 guide.
Further reading
Guides for contractors
- Accountants for IT contractors
- IR35 explained
- Tips for starting out as a contractor with a limited company
- Record keeping as a contractor
- When is a workplace temporary?
- Contractor insurance and IR35 reviews
- Pension contributions through your company
- Business banking for contractors
We also work with IT contractors, sole traders, landlords and freelancers.
Talk to us
Talk to a contractor accountant
Tell us about your contract and we'll show you how we'd set things up and what it would cost. Send us an email, use the form, or arrange a free 30-minute video call with Barry, Greg or Maria. We welcome calls on 0117 290 0007 from clients without the need for an appointment.
- Hours
- 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
- Book a video call
- Meet with Barry · Meet with Greg · Meet with Maria
- Visit by appointment
- 1 Park Road, Bristol, BS16 1AZ1 Lindsay Road, Bristol, BS7 9NP