IT contractor accountants
Accountants for IT contractors
Developers, engineers and tech consultants with their own limited company. Fixed monthly fees, FreeAgent included.
- FreeAgent Gold Partner
- Fixed monthly fees
- Bristol accountants since 2007
Why IT contractors choose us
Contractors are at the heart of what we do
Developers, engineers, architects, testers and tech consultants working through their own limited company. We look after the accounts, the tax and the deadlines, so you can get on with the contract. Fixed monthly fees, FreeAgent included, and a Bristol team you can actually talk to.
We know how contracting works
Day rates, agency and end-client contracts, gaps between contracts, IR35, a home office and a laptop that is the business. You won't have to explain any of it.
Salary and dividends, planned properly
We work out the most tax-efficient way to pay yourself each year and review it when things change, like a new contract, a pay rise or a second income.
Everything in FreeAgent
Raise invoices, log timesheets and snap receipts on your phone. We see the same live figures you do, so there's no year-end scramble for paperwork.
IR35 support
Through our partners at Kingsbridge, clients can get an independent IR35 contract review, and we help you understand what an inside or outside determination means for you.
One fixed monthly fee
Company accounts, corporation tax, payroll and phone and email support, all in one fee. No hourly billing for a quick question.
A real person, not a call centre
You get a named client manager in our Bristol office. We welcome calls from clients without an appointment.
Getting started
Setting up as an IT contractor
Most IT contractors work through their own limited company. It keeps your business and personal finances separate, limits your liability, and gives you more control over how and when you take money out. Some contractors start through an umbrella company and move to a limited company later; either way, we'll talk you through the options before you commit.
When you join us, we can:
- Form your limited company and register it for corporation tax, PAYE and VAT if you need it
- Set up FreeAgent and show you how to connect your business bank feed
- Put you on payroll and plan your salary and dividends from day one
- Take over from your current accountant, including mid-year. We'll ask them for what we need
Starting out? Read our tips for starting out as a contractor with a limited company and limited company vs self-employed vs employed.
IR35
Inside or outside IR35?
IR35 decides whether HMRC treats your contract as genuine self-employment or as disguised employment. For most private and public sector contracts, the end client now makes the status decision, but it still matters to you: it changes how you are paid and how much you take home.
We'll help you understand a status determination, talk through what it means for your company, and point you to an independent contract review through Kingsbridge when you need one. If a contract is inside IR35, we can look at whether it still makes sense to run it through your company or whether an umbrella suits that contract better.
More on the rules in our IR35 guide, and on reviews and contractor insurance on our insurance page.
Expenses
What IT contractors can claim
Claiming every allowable expense through your company is one of the simplest ways to keep your tax bill down, and one of the easiest places to make mistakes. We'll tell you what qualifies and what doesn't, typically including:
- Laptops, monitors, phones and other equipment used for the business
- Software subscriptions, cloud services and hosting
- Training and certifications that keep your existing skills current
- Travel to a temporary workplace, plus accommodation and subsistence where the rules allow
- Use of home as an office
- Professional insurance, accountancy fees and business bank charges
- Employer pension contributions from your company
The temporary workplace rules trip up a lot of contractors on long contracts. Our guide to when a workplace is temporary explains how they work.
Bristol and UK-wide
IT contractor accountants in Bristol, and wherever you work
Bristol has a big tech scene, and our office is right here in it. But contracts move, and so do contractors: we work with IT contractors all over the UK, with everything handled in FreeAgent, our secure client portal and over video calls.
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 limited company 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. Every plan includes FreeAgent and phone and email support.
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 contractors say about us
“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 “As freelance specialists they understand my needs, and provide solid advice. Whenever I've had a question, my calls and emails are returned promptly, and the FreeAgent software is brilliant!”
Alan GouldThey understand my needs “Barry offers a proactive approach to his services, and is accessible when you have questions or need assistance. Along with traditional accountancy, he also incorporates tax planning and looking at ways of simplifying record keeping.”
Simon CummingsProfessional and reliable Questions
Questions IT contractors ask us
The things that come up in nearly every first meeting with a contractor.
Do you only work with contractors in Bristol?
No. Our office is in Bristol, but we work with contractors all over the UK. With FreeAgent, our secure client portal and video calls, where you are makes no difference.
Should I use a limited company or an umbrella company?
It depends on your contracts. A limited company usually suits contracts outside IR35 and gives you more control. An umbrella can be simpler for a contract that is inside IR35. We'll look at your contracts and talk you through both in your free meeting.
Can you help if my contract has been assessed as inside IR35?
Yes. We will explain what the determination means for you, help you decide how to run the contract, and point you to an independent contract review through Kingsbridge if you want to check or challenge it.
How do I pay myself from my limited company?
Usually a mix of a small salary and dividends, sometimes with employer pension contributions too. The right split depends on your other income and the current tax rates, so we plan it with you at the start of each tax year and review it when things change.
Can I switch to you from my current accountant part way through the year?
Yes. Switching is straightforward and you don't have to wait for your year end. We contact your current accountant for the information we need and move your books into FreeAgent.
What's included in the monthly fee?
Your company accounts, corporation tax return, Confirmation Statement, payroll, your FreeAgent subscription, an annual review meeting and phone and email support. Ltd Premium adds VAT returns, up to two Self Assessment returns, quarterly reviews and salary and dividend planning. See the full list on our pricing page.
Further reading
Guides for IT contractors
- Contractor accountants: how we work with contractors in every sector
- IR35 explained
- Tips for starting out as a contractor with a limited company
- Limited company vs self-employed vs employed
- Record keeping as a contractor
- When is a workplace temporary?
- Paying into a pension through your company
- Business banking for contractors
- FreeAgent help and tutorials
We also work with 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