Accountants for contractors and freelancers
IR35 advice, tax planning and specialist accounting for contractors, consultants and freelancers in Oxford, Oxfordshire and across the UK.
Starting from £105 +VAT per month
CHALLENGES
The pros and cons of working as a contractor
Working as a contractor in the UK gives you flexibility, independence and improves your earning potential. However, unlike permanent employees, you will not receive employment benefits. No paid holiday, sick leave or a company pension scheme.
It's important to manage your finances differently to how employees would. From navigating IR35 legislation to managing your business expenses.
Common questions contractors face
- Should I set up a limited company or use an umbrella company?
- What do I need to know about IR35?
- Should I have my contracts reviewed before signing? (Always yes!)
- What type of business insurance do I need?
- How much can I claim for a home office if I work from home?
- How much salary vs dividends should I take from my limited company?
- What's the Flat Rate VAT scheme, and is it right for me?
- How to get a mortgage as a contractor? Do I need two years of accounts to qualify?
QUESTIONS
OUR SERVICE
Why work with us?
Work with a dedicated Chartered Accountant with expertise in both business and personal tax and advice tailored specifically to contractors.
- Work directly with Simon on your accounting and tax. No handoffs to a different person each time.
- A service built specifically for contractor and consultant limited companies. We handle everything from payroll, VAT, Corporation Tax, annual accounts, and HMRC submissions to ongoing dividend planning and tax advice.
- Registered office and company formation included (if needed), free of charge.
- Transparent, fixed monthly pricing. From £105+VAT per month.
- Standard income references for mortgages, tenancies and other financial applications.
- Unlimited support when you need it. Whether you have a tax question, receive an HMRC letter, or need advice on IR35 or dividends, we're here to help.
We help contractors across a range of industries
We work with IT contractors, software developers, locum doctors, healthcare professionals, finance consultants, management consultants, engineers, data analysts, freelance creatives and educators. Whether you operate through a limited company or a mix of limited company and umbrella contracts — get in touch and we can almost certainly help.
WHO WE WORK WITH
New to contracting?
Starting out as a contractor involves more decisions than most expect. We'll help you choose the right company structure, understand your tax obligations, and get the basics — invoicing, expenses, payroll — set up from day one. If you become a client, we'll register your limited company and provide your registered office address, both free of charge.
We make sure you understand the everyday decisions affecting your take-home pay: how much to pay yourself and what you can legitimately expense.
Book a free discovery call
Already contracting?
Many contractors come to us because they're looking for more personal advice than they've been getting. That's what we're set up to provide. You'll work with a dedicated accountant experienced in business and personal tax, so your overall position is fully considered. We're set up for remote work with everything handled online. You're also welcome to meet at our office.
If you're switching from another accountant, please contact us and we'll advise on timing and handle the transition.
Get in touchWhat our clients say
Simon’s friendly approach hides just how skilled and professional he and his team really are. After being let down by a previous accountant, we were under pressure to meet some important deadlines. Simon quickly understood what needed to be done. His advice made a huge difference, saving us both time and money.
I have been working closely with Simon for almost a year now. This was my first time ever working with an accountant in the UK, and I felt like having won the lottery here. Simon is very very efficient, concrete, to the point, super helpful, and very quick. Thanks so much Simon and looking forward to this continued work together. If you're looking for an accountant, Simon is your lead.
Meet the founder
Simon is the founder of Simon Maughan & Co. After qualifying as a chartered accountant in 2007 and working with KPMG in Edinburgh, he has built two decades of experience working with contractors, consultants and limited companies across Oxfordshire and the UK — with particular experience in the tech sector. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the most senior designation ICAEW awards. If you become a client, that experience is what you get, directly.
How it works
Book a free discovery call
We talk through your situation: your contracts, IR35 position and how you're set up (or plan to be). We'll answer any questions about our contractor service. No obligation.
Setup or switch
New to contracting? We register your limited company and provide a registered office address, free of charge. Already have an accountant? We handle the entire switch.
Ongoing support
Payroll, VAT, corporation tax, accounts and HMRC submissions taken care of, with unlimited support by phone or email.
Common questions
It depends on your day rate, how long you plan to contract, and how much admin you want to take on. A limited company is usually more tax-efficient once you're earning above roughly £25,000–£30,000 a year from contracting, but comes with more responsibility than an umbrella. We'll talk through your numbers on a free discovery call before recommending either.
Outside IR35 means you're treated as genuinely self-employed for that contract, so you can pay yourself via salary and dividends. Inside IR35 means the engagement is taxed more like employment. Status depends on the actual working practices — control, substitution, mutuality of obligation — and for most contracts since April 2021, your end client makes the determination.
Yes, always. A contract review checks the IR35-relevant clauses — substitution rights, control, and so on — before you're locked in, which is far easier than fixing your IR35 position after the fact.
Most contractor directors take a small salary up to the National Insurance threshold, then dividends from company profits, since dividends are taxed more favourably above that point. We don't use a one-size-fits-all split. The right balance depends on profits, other income, pension contributions and whether IR35 applies to any of your contracts.
Most high-street lenders want at least two years of accounts, but specialist lenders will consider contractors with as little as 12 months' trading history, sometimes based primarily on your contract length and day rate. Many contractor-friendly lenders assess affordability using your contract income rather than relying solely on historic company accounts. We provide income references for clients whenever needed.
Our contractor service starts from £105+VAT per month, covering payroll, VAT, corporation tax, annual accounts and HMRC submissions, with unlimited support by phone or email. Company formation and a registered office address are included free of charge.
Switching is straightforward. We handle professional clearance from your current accountant and the handover with HMRC and Companies House. We'll usually recommend switching at your year end.
Talk to a specialist contractor accountant today.
We're based in Oxford and work with contractors nationally. Happy to meet in person or work entirely remotely — whatever suits you.
Book a free discovery call