Recommended resources for new contractors

Tools and services that may help you get set up and run smoothly. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Accountants

Accountant services for contractors

Contractor Accountant Pro

Specializes in first-time contractors with transparent pricing

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Contractor-focused
  • Clear communication

Possible drawbacks

  • • Limited availability

TaxSmartContractors

Full-service accounting for limited companies

Pros

  • Comprehensive
  • Tax planning
  • IR35 expertise

Possible drawbacks

  • • Higher cost

Company Formation

Company setup services

FastCompanySetup

Quick and simple limited company registration

Pros

  • Fast
  • Affordable
  • Online process

Possible drawbacks

  • • Limited support

CompanyFormed

Full company setup with ongoing support

Pros

  • Comprehensive
  • Expert guidance
  • Ongoing support

Possible drawbacks

  • • More expensive

Business Banking

Business bank accounts for contractors

ContractorBank

Business account designed for contractors

Pros

  • Low fees
  • Good interface
  • Fast setup

Possible drawbacks

  • • Limited branches

ProBusiness

Premium business banking for contractors

Pros

  • Premium features
  • Expert support
  • Invoicing tools

Possible drawbacks

  • • Higher fees

Insurance

Insurance options worth understanding

ProIndemnity

Professional indemnity insurance for contractors

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Contractor-focused
  • Quick claims

Possible drawbacks

  • • Limited coverage options

FullCover

Comprehensive insurance packages

Pros

  • Comprehensive
  • Flexible
  • Expert advice

Possible drawbacks

  • • More expensive

Bookkeeping and Admin

Tools to help with invoicing and records

InvoiceEasy

Simple invoicing and expense tracking

Pros

  • User-friendly
  • Affordable
  • Mobile app

Possible drawbacks

  • • Limited features

AccountsPro

Full accounting software for contractors

Pros

  • Comprehensive
  • Integrations
  • Tax reports

Possible drawbacks

  • • Steeper learning curve

Career Tools

CV, LinkedIn and job search tools

ContractorCV

CV templates and advice for contractors

Pros

  • Contractor-focused
  • Templates
  • Expert tips

Possible drawbacks

  • • Limited customization

LinkedInPro

LinkedIn optimization for contractors

Pros

  • Proven strategies
  • Templates
  • Support

Possible drawbacks

  • • Subscription required

How we choose what to recommend

We prioritise resources that are useful, relevant to first-time contractors, and practical for people moving from permanent employment. We aim to be transparent about both strengths and limitations.

That matters. If everything is "excellent", everything is suspicious. We believe honest recommendations build trust.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we believe are genuinely useful for contractors. Our recommendations are based on quality and value, not commission rates.