Contractor accountants · UK-wide
Accountants for contractors UK.
PSC accounting. IR35 review before every contract. Salary and dividend planning. Named accountant. From £150/month.
Book a call →What a contractor accountant does
A contractor accountant manages the PSC (limited company) compliance and tax obligations that come with working through your own company — annual accounts, CT600, director self-assessment, salary and dividend planning, IR35 review before every contract, and expense management. The IR35 determination is the most time-sensitive and highest-risk area: we review the contract and working practices before you sign, not after six months inside IR35.
Fees from: £150/month. Named accountant. IR35 review included.
Why IR35 is central to contractor accountancy
Outside IR35 — PSC tax efficiency intact
- ✓Income received by PSC in full
- ✓Salary + dividends strategy available
- ✓No employee NI on dividends
- ✓Full expense deductibility
- ✓Full corporation tax deduction for pension contributions
Inside IR35 — deemed employment
- ✕Fee treated as deemed salary
- ✕PAYE and employee NI deducted
- ✕Employer NI borne by fee-payer
- ✕Dividend strategy not available
- ✕Significantly lower take-home pay
On a £600/day rate: the difference between inside and outside IR35 is typically £30,000–£50,000 in annual take-home pay. We review every contract before you sign.
What we handle for contractor clients
PSC annual accounts →
Statutory accounts and CT600 corporation tax return filed correctly and on time.
IR35 review — every contract →
Contract and working practice review before you sign. Written determination with evidence.
Salary and dividend planning →
Optimal split reviewed annually and when your income level changes.
Director self-assessment →
Annual SA return including dividends, employment income if applicable, and any other sources.
Expense management →
Allowable expenses reviewed for IR35 status — outside rules differ from inside rules significantly.
VAT returns →
VAT registration and quarterly returns if the company is VAT registered.
Contractor accountant fees
Monthly. Fixed fee in writing. No hidden add-ons.
Contractor (PSC)
From £150/month
Annual accounts, CT600, self-assessment, IR35 review, salary/dividend planning
Contractor + VAT
From £200/month
Everything above + quarterly VAT returns
High-complexity / umbrella to PSC
From £200/month
IR35 transition, PSC setup, first-year full service
Contractor accountant — FAQs
What does a contractor accountant do?
A contractor accountant manages the compliance and tax obligations specific to working through a limited company (PSC). This includes: annual accounts and CT600 corporation tax return; director self-assessment; salary and dividend planning to minimise personal tax; IR35 status review before contract signing; expense management; VAT registration and returns (if applicable); and year-round advisory access.
Do I need a specialist contractor accountant?
Most contractors benefit from a specialist rather than a generalist. The IR35 determination process, optimal salary/dividend structure, expense allowability in and out of IR35, and the interaction between contractor income and any other income sources (investment, property) are areas where specialist knowledge matters. A generalist may file the accounts correctly; a specialist advises on the decisions.
How much does a contractor accountant cost?
At RR Accountants, contractor accountancy starts from £150 per month. This includes annual accounts, CT600, director self-assessment, salary/dividend planning, and IR35 review before each new contract. Fees confirmed in writing after your 20-minute discovery call. No monthly add-on surprises.
What is IR35 and how does it affect my PSC?
IR35 (off-payroll working rules) determines whether your contract work is treated as employment for tax purposes. Inside IR35: your income is taxed as a deemed salary, with PAYE and NI deducted. Outside IR35: you retain PSC tax efficiency and can use the salary plus dividends strategy. Since April 2021, medium and large clients determine your IR35 status. We review every contract before you sign.
Can I use a contractor accountant if I work across multiple contracts?
Yes — and it is especially valuable if you switch contracts frequently. IR35 status can differ between engagements. The salary/dividend structure should be reviewed when your income level changes. We manage every active contract context for contractor clients and advise on any mid-year changes.
What expenses can I claim as a contractor?
Allowable contractor expenses vary significantly depending on your IR35 status. Outside IR35: equipment, home office costs (if genuinely separate), professional subscriptions, training, accountancy fees, business travel. Inside IR35: significantly more restricted — the deemed employment model applies. HMRC scrutinises contractor expenses carefully. We review expense claims for every client at onboarding and annually at the ACR.
New contract coming up?
Get the IR35 review done before you sign.
We review the contract and working practices and give you a written determination before you start. Book a call today.
Book a call →Iftikhar Rashid FCCA · 16 years · Specialist in contractor and PSC tax