We believe our new packages are now some of the best within the marketplace. Whilst many competitors offer insurances as an added extra, professional indemnity and public liability insurances are included in our Plus and Pro packages.

Our three enhanced packages are Lite, Plus and Pro. There are just too many benefits to list here but you can view them by clicking here.

Competitively priced, our packages start from just £23 per week plus VAT.

Why ICS?

ICS is led by three guiding principles: trust, care and compliance. We make sure we get the basics right – from ensuring you are paid the correct amount at the right time, to being available when you need any advice.

Our goal is to help you make the right decision by providing you with clear and honest advice about your options. We will never pressure you into making a decision, because we believe that presenting you with all the facts up front is much more likely to lead to a longer term relationship.

If you would like to speak in more detail about our three enhanced packages, please telephone Judith Solomon or Richard Anson on 0800 195 3750.

It’s simple and free to switch to ICS. Join us today and get £150 cashback.*

*Issued to you on receipt of your third monthly payment to ICS. Sign-up before 28 Feb 2012 to benefit from this special offer. This offer is only available to contractors switching from other contractor accountancy providers.

Independent Contractor Services (ICS) are celebrating ten years of working within the contractor marketplace. Established in 2002, we have been providing accountancy and payroll services to thousands of contractors working across hundreds of different industries.

It’s simple to switch to ICS and this is why.

• We liaise with your current provider on your behalf for a seamless transition
• Keep your existing company and bank account if you join our Limited Co Service
• Switch at any point in the financial year and we’ll bring you up to date at no cost **

Switch to ICS. Get £150 Cashback*. Smart Move.

These are just some of the benefits from switching to ICS.

• Personal Account Manager
• Freephone UK helpline for any urgent requirements
• Access to experts on IR35, AWR, MSC, tax, contracts and compliance
• SMS alerts so you know when you’ve been paid
• Online portal to access your information 24/7
• Same day processing so you don’t have to wait for your money
• Unlimited phone and email support
• Expert accountancy and tax advice when you need it
• Access to specialist contractor financial products with ICS Money
• Raising and chasing of invoices on your behalf
• Free contractor guides to keep you informed
• Award-winning back office support
• 10 years experience supporting 1000s of contractors

If you would like more information about switching to ICS, you can telephone us on 0800 195 3750 or email info@ics.me.uk. We look forward to working with you!

*Issued to you on receipt of your third monthly payment to ICS. Sign-up before 28 Feb 2012 to benefit from this special offer. This offer is only available to contractors switching from other contractor accountancy providers.
**We will bring your accounts up to date from the previous year end subject to this being less than 12 months.

Bob Jones, a former Inland Revenue tax inspector however reassured the contractor not to be afraid of changing accountants but to ensure they chose accountants that were able to fulfil all the necessary requirements.

Speaking on Contractor UK, Mr Jones said;

“HMRC do not publish their risk analysis strategy, but they are generally more interested in the figures in the accounts rather than the firm involved in the production. Remember though that whether local or offline, a professionally qualified accountant has been trained and must adhere to certain standards. If you look for an accountant outside that sphere then, of course, you do need to be careful. HMRC are aware that there are certain tax advisers that should really be doing something else!”

“The bottom line is that changing accountant should not cause a problem provided you go to someone who is reputable and, preferably, qualified.”

Independent Contractor Services (ICS) offer accounting and payroll solutions to the contractor marketplace. Guided by the principles of trust, care and compliance, we specialise in Umbrella, Limited Company and Sole Trader solutions.

The main talking point in 2012 was of the Agency Workers Regulations, which eventually came into place in October after much speculation. These regulations brought the right to equal pay and other rights for all agency staff, thus having an impact on the way that some contractors operated.

Another legislation that has been heavily in contractor news this year is IR35. This legislation was reviewed earlier this year by the Office of Tax Simplification; they made a number of recommendations to the Government which eventually led to the formation of the IR35 Forum. This group are continuing to work towards a better approach to IR35. Alongside this HMRC were involved in a number of high profile IR35 contractor cases.

The PCG also held their 3^rd National Freelancers Day in November to celebrate the role of contractors and freelancers in the UK. They also used this celebration to announce their latest findings into the freelance community, revealing there are now 1.56 million workers in the UK.

2011 has been a successful year for ICS and all of our contractors, and we look forward to working with you all over the next year!

ICS are one of the leading contractor accountants and administration companies and have helped thousands of contractors working in a range of industry sectors. You can contact us now for a tailored proposal based on your individual circumstances as a contractor.

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Independent Contractor Services (ICS) would like to wish all their clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We have had a fantastic 2011 and hope to continue this into 2012. 

Our opening hours over the festive period are:

Friday 23rd December – 8:45am – 2pm

Monday 26th December – CLOSED

Tuesday 27th December – CLOSED

Wednesday 28th December – 8:45am – 5pm

Thursday 29th December – 8:45am – 5pm

Friday 30th December – 8:45am – 3pm

Monday 2nd January 2012 – CLOSED

Tuesday 3rd January – 8:45am – 5pm

We look forward to continuing our relationship with you into 2012!

As part of the celebrations, the PCG who launched National Freelancers Day two years ago will be holding a number of events, ranging from a Freelance Lecture to a series of webinars. Companies across the UK may also be holding their own events to celebrate the day.

Our Managing Director, John Lyon, will be attending the Freelance Lecture in London today so if you are attending please introduce yourself. The lecture will feature leading experts discussing flexible working and workforce trends.

As part of the build up, the PCG launched a ‘Fit to Freelance Quiz’. With some tough questions, it tested just how much people knew about contractors, the way they work and the issues they face. You can test yourself by clicking here.

Freelancers were given a ringing endorsement by the Prime Minister David Cameron who said:

“I have a huge respect for all those who make the brave decision to branch out on their own and take control over the way they work.

This Government recognises the valuable contribution that freelancers make to the economy and, as more and more people choose to join your ranks, you have all our support.”

Stay connected with National Freelancers Day and the events today by liking their Facebook page or following #NFD23NOV on Twitter.

Hip Hip Hooray!

ICS supports freelancers, contractors and consultants by providing them with compliant payroll solutions. Led by our three guiding principles; trust, care and compliance, we help contractors focus on their strengths and enjoy stress free contracting. 

Speaking about the launch of the 80 page e-book, PCG Managing Director John Brazier said that the guide was a “must read for all freelancers”. He continued;

“It is the culmination of 10 years of problem finding and solving from everyone associated with PCG. Through our forums, members, associates and advisors this combines thousands of years of freelancing wisdom.”

“As a business support organisation we are asked these key questions daily and we have constantly challenged ourselves on the right information to give out. With this guide we have done the ground work so that freelancers can get on working with their clients.”

The PCG are planning a number of activities and events to celebrate National Freelancers Day, including on online quiz titled “fit-to-freelance?” ICS will once again be supporting the event in conjunction with the PCG, so keep an eye on our blog for more details.

ICS are one of the leading contractor accountants and administration companies and have helped thousands of contractors working in a range of industry sectors. You can contact us now for a tailored proposal based on your individual circumstances as a contractor.

Andrew Brindley who heads up AJ Recruitment, a recruitment company specialising in the recruitment of full time employment and flexible temporary positions to the social care market, feels so passionately about AWR he has launched an e-petition on the governments’ website calling for the legislation to be abolished.

Speaking to ICS, Brindley said;

“We believe that the AWR lacks clarification and leaves agencies and part time staff with little understanding of the implications that may be faced as a result of the new European led legislation.”

“This directive has not been given the due care and attention required, the increased cost implications alone is likely to result in organisations choosing to employ full time candidates as opposed to flexible temporary placements. Many skilled workers choose to hold flexible temporary positions for a number of reasons and this directive is going to limit the number of positions available forcing more people who are perfectly fit and able to work into the unemployment bracket.”

The legislation has got everyone in the industry talking and is even being discussed on social media website, Twitter. The #SayNOAWR campaign is stimulating debate around the legislation but despite strong views and concerns against the legislation, AWR will come into force on 1^st October.

ICS are fully prepared to work with recruitment companies to ensure compliant and robust solutions. We have also compiled a free AWR Guide for Recruiters which can be downloaded here.

Although groups including the REC have disputed claims like this which are speculating heavy job losses; Stefan Martin, a partner at Allen & Overy, suggested that “The advantages of using a flexible workforce during the current economic climate will be compromised as employers feel the burden of additional rules and regulations.”

He continued saying; “While businesses will undoubtedly continue to use agency workers, this will result in increased costs. Rather than strengthening their rights, this may actually make the position of agency workers much more uncertain, exposing them to early termination of contracts.”

With the AWR expected to be implemented in its current form, despite some last minute concerns from David Cameron, the REC believe that most employers and agencies are now ready for the impact of the regulations, with their own research showing that employers do not intend to cut down on the use of temporary and contract staff.

As ICS we work closely on a daily basis with workers, hirers and agencies, and so we have a unique insight into the likely impact of AWR. For this reason we have produced our own AWR guide for agencies, which can be found on our AWR Agency page.

ICS work with a team of experts in employment and tax law to ensure our services are fully compliant with existing IR35 legislation and the latest government regulations, such as the AWR. You can contact us now for a tailored proposal based on your individual circumstances as a contractor.

As the client base has grown so has ICS’ investment in frontline sales and back office support staff and systems. In addition to recruiting an additional Business Development Manager, Judith Solomon, in Lancaster, a Senior Business Development Manager has been appointed to cover London & the South East. ICS’ award winning back office and payroll team has also expanded to ensure service standards are constantly improved to underpin the growth in clients.

John Lyon, Managing Director of ICS, commented saying; “I am delighted that our growth plans are on track and demand for our services is high. The Contracting sector is strong at present and provides much needed expertise and flexibility for companies to tap into. Our strategy of delivering a reasonably priced, comprehensive and personal service is helping us attract new clients and we have been working hard to increase our profile within the sector.”

“We are encouraged that more and more recruitment agencies are seeing us as a professional and credible provider who support their brand. Service has always been top of our agenda and our investment in staff and systems will remain a priority as we grow our business.”

Guided by the working principles of trust, care and compliance, ICS are now one of the leading contractor accountants and administration companies and have helped thousands of contractors working in a range of industry sectors. Get in contact today for a tailored proposal based on your individual circumstances as a contractor.