If you’re new to the self-employed world, you might have some questions about the sort of National Insurance you need to pay. This is your essential guide to your National Insurance obligations as a self-employed freelancer or contractor. We’ll take a look at the difference between Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance, which should…
All businesses need cyber security policies. But if you’re running a small business, it’s particularly important that you take steps to protect yourself against the risks of cybercrime. Why? Because studies show that cyber-criminals are more likely to target small businesses over larger businesses. Indeed, one study found that up to 96% of all cyber…
Because psychiatrists need specialist medical training, it can take over 10 years to qualify as a psychiatrist, or longer if you want to specialise in any particular areas. Stages of Becoming a Psychiatrist In this post we’ll break down the various stages of your training journey as a psychiatrist, including what each stage involves, and…
You have a legal obligation to register your business. But when do you need to do this, and how do you do it? Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been running a business for a short while already, this post will show you how to meet the legal requirements. When To Register as Self-Employed…
Business rates can be tricky for anyone to manage. But if you’re self-employed or you work from home, business rates can be particularly challenging. This is your essential guide to business rates. We’ll explain what they are, how to calculate them, how to pay them, and how to find out if you’re eligible or exempt….
Like all professionals, counsellors and therapists need insurance to protect them from the various risks of the job. Let’s take a look at some of the most essential insurance products for counsellors and therapists. What Insurance do Counsellors and Therapists need? The types of insurance counsellors and therapists need can be far reaching, depending on…
It is possible to run a business from home. However, certain sorts of work are unsuited for the home environment. And as your business grows, you’ll eventually have to invest in business premises to accommodate your expanding operations. But if you’re just starting out on the self-employed path, running your business from home might be…
Whether you’re running an independent craft business from your spare room, or you’re managing a small business and looking to grow, sooner or later you’ll probably have to register your business. The question is, when? It all depends on what you do, where you work, and whether you employ others. This essential guide will help…
If you work for yourself, whether as a freelancer or a contractor, then you’re going to have to register as self-employed with HMRC. You may also have to register as a sole-trader. The process of registering as self-employed is pretty straightforward. But many newly self-employed people wonder when is the best time to do it….
Hackers and other criminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to scam and exploit people. And nothing is off-limits for them. So you should consider any aspect of your business that relies on digital technologies as a potential weak-spot, as an area that cyber criminals could target. Even if you’re an independent contractor offering painting and…