IT contractor case study

Calling yourself an IT contractor could mean many things. You might be a systems analyst, a developer, a project manager or maybe you work in tech support. In any case, IT contractors are thriving these days, despite tough economic times and the future continues to look bright.

An IT Contractor tends to work longer-term with one client than freelancers in many other professions.  They bring a range of speciality or sought-after skills and knowledge and often fit right into an existing team.  An IT project manager contractor, for example, will integrate into the client's project team.

They are  likely to arrive at a client's site at the start of normal office hours. The first hour of the day is filled with actioning emails that have come in overnight and checking team member time records to ensure the correct effort is being spent on the appropriate tasks.  Morning meetings could include recruitment interviews or status updates with the client's management team.  Other meetings might include the finance department, quality assurance team or the actual project team itself.

Project plans need updating daily, challenges identified and solutions derived.  This usually means quite a bit of paperwork and other admin tasks.

More often than not, lunch consists of a sarnie and a coffee at their desk.  When paid by the hour, it's hard to justify taking an hour off to stroll around the shops!

Afternoons can be spent in project planning, dealing with all the little problems that arise such as staff issues, software glitches or database challenges.

Soon enough the project ticks along to completion, and the IT contract moves along to the next project and the next client.

The benefits of contracting to IT professionals are much broader than just financial (although the money is very good). There is greater flexibility in the work schedule than of those of full-time employee counterparts.  There is the opportunity to gain a wider range of experience and skills and greater control over the direction of a career.

Of course there are risks, too.  Being self employed means IT contractors lose many of the perks of being on staff. There is no works pension or holiday or sick pay. There are plenty of administrative duties involved with running your business too, not to mention the risk of falling foul with the tax man through error or omission.

However, for those for whom the life of a contract holds appeal, partnering with the FPS umbrella company is the an excellent way to ensure the maximum take-home pay and eliminate the administrative headaches like invoicing and making tax payments.

IT contractors can claim work expenses such as subsistance and travel along with other fees and disbursements. But, knowing which claims are permitted by HMRC is essential.  FPS group ensures that the correct tax and national insurance contributions are all made on time. We pay you through PAYE and make all the necessary deductions in full compliance with the HMRC.

We let you focus on what you do best: provide your clients the highest calibre of technical expertise and service.

Richard is an IT Contractor and he says:

I have found the FPS umbrella team to be professional, friendly and helpful and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.