Watching contestants on The Apprentice squirm as their business plans are comprehensively dismantled isn’t the easiest watch. But arming yourself with a plan can actually be hugely beneficial for your company. They’re not just for Sir Alan’s trembling hopefuls or big businesses – freelancers can benefit from having one too. It could save you time, stress and ultimately money, […]
Being self-employed isn’t easy, especially with more and more of us heeding the call to set up alone every year. And when the market’s this competitive, often it can be something as simple as your day rate that wins you business or loses the deal. Finding that sweet spot is harder than it might seem. Go […]
Chasing for payment is the bane of the freelance life. Here are a few ideas on how to make it happen sooner rather than later. Remember the good old days of PAYE? Once you go freelance, even if you’ve got the best online accountancy service in the land on your side, you can kiss goodbye to […]
For non-accountancy minded people, new ideas, policies and discussions involving HMRC come with a common problem: no matter how important, it’s hard to get through the reading material without falling asleep. Take, for example, the upcoming ‘Tax Relief for Travel and Subsistence Consultation’, due on September 30th. The chances are that, as a freelancer or […]
Getting shut of your boss and flying solo is the dream, but it’s not all butterflies and unicorns. The flexible hours, creative freedom and higher wages aren’t a myth, but there are a few bridges hiding trolls along the way. Here are five things you ought to take into consideration before going freelance. There’ll be lean […]
It’s the dream scenario; you’ve taken your salary, paid yourself dividends and there’s still a good wedge of cash in your business. Congratulations – you’re officially a success story! So what are you going to do with all that money? If you’re picturing a sunny beach and some kind of complicated fruity cocktail, we’re right there […]
When you go it alone, there are a lot of decisions to make, from setting your rates to wondering whether buying a tiny kettle for the bedroom is inspired or delusional. But choosing whether to be a sole trader or limited company is a biggie. It’ll determine whether you’re open to new opportunities, or to avoidable […]
Congratulations – you’re paying VAT! Being VAT registered might not seem like something to throw a party about, but it’s an important milestone. It means your business or limited company is bringing in more than £82,000 per year, and if that’s not worth jelly and ice cream, then frankly, we don’t know what is. The reality of […]
So, yesterday we heard from Mr Osbourne that he’s giving the nation a pay-rise. Well done sir, we applaud you. Or do we? Here at MAF, we’ve taken a look at what difference it will make to the UK’s contractors, freelancers and small business owners. What did our pal George do for us then? Here are the key-issues […]