Accounting for contractors and independent consultants.
Company compliance, payroll and Personal Tax handled together, so you know your take-home position across contracts rather than guessing at year end.
- Company Accounts and Corporation Tax
- Director Payroll and Dividends
- IR35 position considered
Common issues for independent professionals
Income that varies
Between contracts, income can be uneven. Drawing the same amount every month without planning can create tax problems.
Employment status and IR35
Status depends on the contract and working practices. Getting it wrong affects both the company and your personal position.
Getting money out efficiently
Salary, dividends, pension contributions and expenses interact. The best mix changes as profits change.
Expenses and travel
Travel, subsistence, equipment and home office costs have rules that are frequently misapplied.
VAT scheme choices
Flat rate or standard VAT can produce different outcomes depending on costs and clients.
Multiple deadlines on a small business
A one-person company still has accounts, Corporation Tax, VAT, payroll and a personal return to manage.
How Goodman Accounting can help
We run the company's compliance and keep your Personal Tax joined up with it, so decisions on drawings and contracts are made with the full picture.
Company Accounts and Corporation Tax
Year-end accounts and CT600 prepared together and filed on time.
Director payroll
RTI payroll run for the director, including any additional staff.
VAT Returns
Scheme review and quarterly MTD submissions handled for you.
Bookkeeping
Cloud records with bank feeds so invoices and costs are captured as they happen.
Self Assessment
Your personal return prepared alongside the company, including dividends and other income.
Status and planning input
We consider your IR35 position and take-home planning as contracts change, and refer to specialist status review where a contract needs it.
The services contractors & consultants usually need.
A typical contracting year
Invoice and record
Contract invoices and expenses go into cloud bookkeeping as you work.
Payroll and VAT Cycles
Payroll runs monthly and VAT Returns are prepared quarterly.
Mid-year check
We review profits and drawings so the tax position is managed rather than discovered.
Year End Accounts
Accounts and Corporation Tax are prepared and reviewed with you.
Personal return
Your Self Assessment is prepared using the company figures already in front of us.
Questions we are asked most.
If your question is not here, ask us directly — an initial conversation costs nothing.
Ask a questionLimited company or umbrella?
It depends on your contracts, expected duration, IR35 status and how much administration you want. We talk through both before you commit.
How does IR35 affect me?
If a contract is inside IR35, tax and National Insurance are handled differently and take-home changes. We factor your status into planning and can point you to specialist status reviews.
Which VAT scheme should I use?
The flat rate scheme suits some contractors and not others, depending on costs. We compare the outcomes for your situation.
What can I claim while working away?
Travel and subsistence rules depend on the workplace, the contract length and your status. We review claims rather than applying a blanket rule.
What happens between contracts?
We help plan drawings so a gap in income does not create a cash or tax problem.
Chartered expertise. Personal service.
A modern chartered practice offering both the compliance work you have to do and the financial insight that makes it worth doing.
Same-Day Responses
We know how frustrating it can be waiting days for an answer. We aim to respond to client queries on the same working day, so you can get the support you need quickly.
Clear, jargon-free advice
We explain what the numbers mean in plain English, what you owe, when it is due and what your options are before decisions are made.
Cloud-based and low admin
Modern accounting software, bank feeds and receipt capture mean less paperwork for you and records that stay up to date all year.
Fees agreed upfront
You know the scope and the cost before we start. No surprise invoices for a phone call or a quick question.
Looking for an accountant?
Whether you're starting a business, approaching your next tax return or looking for better financial insight, we'd be happy to discuss how Goodman Accounting can help.