person working out an hourly rate
| |

What is a Director’s Loan Account & How Does it Work?

A director’s loan account (DLA) allows directors, or their family members, to take money out of their company. To qualify as a “director’s loan”, this money must not be a salary, a dividend, or an expense repayment. Also, it must not be money you’ve previously paid into or loaned to the company. How Does A…

How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?
| | | |

How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?

If you run a business, whether you’re a freelancer, a self-employed contractor, or the managing director of a limited company or partnership, you need to keep detailed records for tax purposes. These records might include all sales and incomes, all your business expenses, and if you’re self-employed, records of your personal income. If you employ…

Regulations book. Law, rules and regulations HMRC
| | |

When Should I Register for VAT?

If you’re a freelancer, a contractor or a sole trader, you might be wondering when it’s the right time to register for VAT. You probably already know that the annual turnover threshold for registering for VAT is £90,000. But do you know the rules beyond this? For example, do you need to register after you’ve…

How Much is Class 2 National Insurance for Self-Employed?
| | | |

How Much is Class 2 National Insurance for Self-Employed?

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…

Cyber Security Policies for Small Businesses
|

Cyber Security Policies for Small Businesses

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…

therapist talking with a patient on a couch

How Long Does It Take To Become a Psychiatrist?

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…

When Do I Need to Register My Business?
| | | |

When Do I Need to Register My Business?

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…

patient on a couch
|

What Insurance Do Counsellors and Therapists Need?

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…