Contractor
accountants, London.
Specialist accounting and IR35 advice for London contractors and freelancers — from limited company setup through to annual accounts and dividend planning.
Who We Help
We work with contractors and freelancers across London who operate through their own limited company (personal service company) or as sole traders. Our clients include:
Whether you're new to contracting and setting up your first limited company, or an experienced contractor looking for a sharper accountant, we provide the same ACCA-regulated standard of service.
IR35 & Off-Payroll
IR35 — formally the off-payroll working rules — determines whether HMRC treats you as an employee for tax purposes, even when you operate through a limited company. If your contract is deemed inside IR35, the fee-payer (your client or agency) deducts income tax and National Insurance before paying you, eliminating most of the tax advantage of operating through a limited company.
Since April 2021, medium and large private sector clients have been responsible for determining your IR35 status via a Status Determination Statement (SDS). Small clients (two of the following: under 50 employees, under £10.2m turnover, under £5.1m balance sheet) leave the determination with your company.
We review contracts and working practices against the three key tests — control, substitution, and mutuality of obligation — and provide a documented opinion. We also advise on protecting your outside-IR35 position through contract wording, working practice records, and engagement structure. See our complete IR35 guide for a full breakdown of the rules and financial impact.
Our Contractor Services
A full contractor accounting engagement with Brathwaite covers:
All services are fixed-fee. We agree the annual cost upfront and it doesn't change unless the scope of your work does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an accountant as a contractor?
Almost certainly. A limited company brings administrative obligations — corporation tax, annual accounts, confirmation statements, VAT, payroll — that are time-consuming and easy to get wrong. A good contractor accountant pays for itself many times over by structuring your remuneration efficiently, catching allowable expenses, and keeping you fully compliant with HMRC.
How do I know if my contract is inside or outside IR35?
IR35 status depends on the working relationship, not the contract wording alone. HMRC looks at three key tests: control (does the client dictate how you work?), substitution (can you send someone else?), and mutuality of obligation (are you obliged to accept all work offered?). We review contracts and working practices to give you a considered opinion, and we can prepare a Status Determination Statement (SDS) where needed.
What is the most tax-efficient way to pay myself as a contractor?
For most contractors operating outside IR35, the most tax-efficient approach is a low salary (up to the NI Secondary threshold) combined with dividends. This minimises National Insurance while making full use of the dividend allowance and basic rate band. The optimal split changes each tax year — we review it annually and advise you before the start of each April.
Can you help if my client has deemed me inside IR35?
Yes. If your client or agency has issued a Status Determination Statement placing you inside IR35, we can review it, advise whether the determination looks correct, and help you challenge it if appropriate. If the inside determination stands, we can restructure your arrangements — including umbrella payroll options — to minimise the tax impact.
Let's talk.
Expert advice, no jargon.
Book Consultation →Or call 07349 960875 — Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm
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