Question 1

Do I need a contractor accountant or will a generalist accountant do?

Accepted Answer

Generalists handle most of what a contractor needs technically — but contractor specialists save you money in places generalists routinely miss. The off-payroll working rules (Chapter 10, ITEPA 2003), the Section 338 travel-expense logic for temporary workplaces, the salary/dividend/pension extraction modelling, and the timing of dividend declarations across tax years are all places where contractor-specific experience pays for itself many times over the price difference.

Question 2

How do I know which of the six services I actually need?

Accepted Answer

Most contractors take two: limited company accounts as the always-on baseline (annual accounts + Corporation Tax + Companies House), plus one of the others depending on situation. IR35 compliance and contract review for those negotiating new engagements, dividend tax planning for those above £50k turnover, VAT returns once registered, expense claims when travel costs are non-trivial. The decision guide above maps the most common starting bundles.

Question 3

Are the prices on this page what I will actually pay?

Accepted Answer

The ranges shown are typical UK contractor accountancy fees as of 2026. Final fees are confirmed by the matched accountant after a free scoping conversation that covers your turnover, IR35 position, sector, and any unusual structural elements (multiple directors, overseas income, holding companies). Most contractors pay a fixed monthly fee that bundles several services rather than paying line-by-line.

Question 4

Can I switch from my current contractor accountant to a matched one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and matched accountants handle the transition end-to-end. They request your existing accounts records, confirm opening balances, file a notice of professional clearance with your previous accountant, and reconcile any open items before taking over. Mid-year switches are common — most contractors who switch do so in March (after personal self-assessment) or April (start of the new tax year).

Question 5

What if I need a service that isn't in this catalogue — like payroll for a small employee team or R&D tax credits?

Accepted Answer

Mention it on the matching form and we will prioritise accountants who already cover the adjacent service. Most contractor specialists also handle director payroll, statutory sick pay, employer pension contributions, and (less commonly but increasingly often for tech contractors) R&D tax credit claims for software development work. We focus on contractor needs but the network is broader than the six catalogue services suggest.

Question 6

Do all your matched accountants handle Making Tax Digital (MTD)?

Accepted Answer

Every accountant in the network is fully MTD-compliant for VAT (mandatory since April 2019) and is preparing clients for MTD ITSA, which began rollout on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with combined gross income above £50,000. Limited company contractors are not yet in scope for MTD ITSA but should expect quarterly reporting requirements to expand to incorporated businesses in subsequent phases.

Service	Typical fee	Cadence	Includes
IR35 Compliance Assessment →	£350–£750	Per assessment	Status determination, contract review, supporting documentation
Limited Company Annual Accounts →	£800–£1500	Annual service	Accounts preparation, Corporation Tax return, Companies House filing
Dividend Tax Planning Strategy →	£200–£500	Annual review	Salary-dividend optimisation, tax projections, extraction strategy
Expense Claims Management →	£150–£400	Annual service	Expense categorisation, receipt management, HMRC compliance
VAT Return Preparation →	£120–£300	Per quarter	VAT return preparation, submission, payment calculations
Contract Review Service →	£250–£600	Per contract	IR35 assessment, risk analysis, amendment recommendations

Contractor Accountants Harrow Services

Pick a service, or scroll for the decision guide

IR35 Compliance

Limited Company Accounts

Dividend Tax Planning

Expense Claims

VAT Returns

Contract Review

Where you are tells you which service to start with.

You're inside IR35 on a major client

You're outside IR35 and extracting profit

You've crossed (or are about to cross) the VAT threshold

Six services, one fee table.

All six services assume the post-April 2021 IR35 reform.

Common questions about choosing the right service

Frequently asked questions about contractor accountancy in Harrow

Find a vetted contractor accountant for your Harrow company