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HB&O offer helping hand to contractors

A major change to the employment rights of temporary workers has provided HB&O with the launch pad for a
targeted marketing campaign. Ahead of the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) on 1 October 2011, HB&O built on its expertise in working with contractors and recruitment agencies to raise awareness of the impact of AWR through a series of eshots and other marketing material.

The campaign focused on the fact that the introduction of AWR was likely to encourage many contractors not already operating as limited companies – the most taxefficient way for them to operate – to do so and promoted HB&O’s company formation service. The firm has also launched its own dedicated website for contractors at www.hboltd.co.uk/contractors and provides services targeted at the sector, including monthly fixed fee accounting, incorporating online bookkeeping with IRIS OpenBooks.

HB&O is also an affiliate member of the PCG, the association that represents and supports around 20,000 UK freelance, contractor and consultant members. HB&O director Mark Ashfield said: “We’ve had a very positive response to our AWR campaign, which has helped us build on our already strong reputation in the field of
contractor accounting.

“In fact, we’re so confident that our services will make contracting easier that we’re offering our contractor clients a ten per cent discount on their fees for 12 months when they refer a fellow contractor to us and they have been our client for a month. Although employment figures generally are rising, data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation suggests that demand for temporary and contract workers remains strong.”

“With workforce flexibility becoming increasingly important to employers, contracting is likely to grow in popularity as a way into work for people who may be struggling to find permanent employment and our focus is to become a first choice accountant for contractors.”