Umbrella Companies : A Short Guide
Posted in Entrepreneurs on September 4th, 2010 by Mark Walters – Be the first to commentFor a freelance contractor, choosing an umbrella company can be daunting, especially with so many to choose from. It is important to know what fees they charge upfront, specific services they provide, if they offer Internet access, and what kind of reputation they have. The time you spend researching the company you choose can end up saving you a lot of money in the end.
When looking at a company’s fee structure, watch out for hidden start-up fees and exit fees. You may want to choose a company with set fees rather than fees based on your income, especially if it fluctuates or you make more money. Income based fees will increase with your income and can take a hefty percentage of your earnings. Most companies will charge weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly, and you will have to determine which works best for you.
Ask friends for recommendations of good companies and learn about the reputation of potential firms. If your acquaintances have only good things to say about a company, chances are it’s a good choice if they provide all the services you’re looking for. If you need to, ask the firm for references, see how many current customers they have, and how long they’ve been in business. Obvious stability is better than flashy and new.
When asking friends for recommendations, ask specifically about customer service; does the company have a website to upload or enter timesheets and expenses? Ask friends and the potential company about their response time to questions and problems. If you have a schedule to keep, you don’t need to be waiting around to hear back from the firm. It’s also a good idea to find a company that offers to refund your money if you are not happy with their services.
Make sure to ask if the company pays via BACS, FPS, or C.H.A.P.S. If they pay using Bacs, it could take several days to a week to get paid. C.H.A.P.S is a same day bank transfer-clearing house, and FPS is a transfer that takes just a few hours to complete. How they pay can be a big determining factor when choosing an umbrella company.
As a standard, most umbrella companies provide insurance for their contractors; public liability, employer’s liability, and professional indemnity, but always ask to be sure. Also, a good sign of compliance is the umbrella company’s membership in a professional body like AEMC, Professional Passport, or SPA. If a company can meet all these standards and your individual needs, they should be a safe bet.
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