PCG WINS DTI MINISTER'S PRAISE FOR ISO9001 CERTIFICATION

Chairman Simon Griffiths presented PCG's proposals to introduce a scheme whereby its members may elect to participate in a cost-effective IS09001:2000 quality scheme. It will be launched this summer, and PCG has been working in close partnership with quality experts BVQI to develop the scheme, the first of its kind.

"ISO9000 can prove prohibitively complex and expensive for small businesses," explained PCG director Richard Robson, "and without it even those consultants of an exceptionally high calibre are effectively barred from bidding for public sector work. Our scheme will be unique, not only in its approach to the market, but also in that it will contain many interesting but valuable features, it will be delivered at less than a third of the cost of any credible alternative, and - because we have chosen to go with the UKAS standard - its worth will be uncompromised."

PCG is committed to promoting freelancing as a valid and valuable way of working. Commenting upon last week's visit, Simon Griffiths said, "Our IS09001 plan represents just one of the many initiatives that we have adopted in our quest to protect and promote the interests of our freelance members and the wider freelance community. We believe that ISO9001 certification will help the brightest and best independent consultants to compete on a level playing field for public sector projects, and we are very pleased to have Nigel Griffiths' support."

SARA S660A RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL AVAILABLE ONLINE

Are you at risk from S660A? Find out today using SARA, an online "Self-Assessment Risk Analysis" tool developed by PCG and Accountax Consulting.

You may be at risk from an Inland Revenue challenge on Section 660A, the "settlements legislation" if any (or all) of the following apply:

• There is a limited company (or partnership)
• Ownership is shared with someone else (e.g. spouse)
• The freelancer is the sole or main fee-earner
• The other owner receives dividends or profit share

SARA is available to PCG members only at a special price of just £25 (normal RRP £199), and can be purchased online.

Section 660A can arguably have more impact on freelancers than IR35 as it resides with the individual, rather than the company, and therefore follows you for life.

SARA was first developed some years ago by Accountax as a telephone questionnaire for clients to determine their likely exposure to a S660A challenge by the Inland Revenue. Since then, it has been developed and refined during extensive use with clients. In light of an increased number of enquiries and interest around S660A from members, PCG approached Accountax to collaborate on a project to bring SARA online and be available to a far greater number of freelancer small businesses.

There are two versions of SARA to account for the difference between the cases where shares were gifted from one partner to another, and the case where both partners owned shares from the outset. Both versions contain a series of about 35 questions.

The questionnaire takes around 20 minutes to complete, and results are available immediately. SARA enables you to understand and take relevant action:

• To identify whether your circumstances indicate that the Inland Revenue is likely to challenge and secondly,
• If the Inland Revenue does challenge, your level of risk.

After completing the questionnaire your own risk factor is published on a scale of 1-10, with explanatory text.

See also PCG's newly-published Guide to S660A.

SMARTER FREELANCING SEMINARS

PCG's Smarter Freelancing seminars were very well received by delegates at the sessions which took place in Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol last week. The next three seminar dates and venues are as follows:

• Tuesday 9 March 2004 Swindon
• Wednesday 10 March 2004 Croydon
• Thursday 11 March 2004 Southampton

The seminars are open to PCG members at a competitive cost of only £40 plus VAT, and to non-members for just £65 plus VAT. Furthermore, non-member delegates who join PCG on the day will receive a £25 refund.

This represents excellent value for money, given the scope of topics being presented:

• Hearing the latest information on IR35 and S660A, two sets of taxation rules that can have a significant impact on freelance incomes.
• Understanding IR591 and the measures that could come from the forthcoming Budget.
• Learning how to market and sell yourself better.
• Winning profitable new business.
• Developing your skills to meet the changing global economy.
• Becoming a trusted adviser.
• Gaining a better understanding of key tax and accountancy issues.

See www.pcg.org.uk/seminars2004 for more details and online booking. Numbers are limited, so book your place now!

PCG LINES UP EXPERT BUDGET TEAM

Budget day, on 17 March 2004, is expected to herald the most important Budget for freelancers since IR35 was announced four years' ago.

PCG has selected a team of specialists including representatives from Accountax to provide expert tax and political analysis on the day, and will be providing a definitive view of the announcements from a freelance small business owner's perspective.

The team will be on hand to listen to the Budget, analyse the impact of any announcements likely to affect freelancers, and disseminate the information and its expert views via:

• A special newsletter
• Update of PCG and IR591 websites
• Interim news flashes posted to the forums where appropriate
• Official PCG press notice
• Online debate via the forums between 18:00 and 21:00

Key questions that the team will be addressing include:

• How the Budget might affect three different but typical freelancer business scenarios
• How the Budget is likely to affect you personally
• What PCG is doing about it

Affiliate members and other interested parties who would like to send out syndicated copies of the special newsletter to their clients or members should contact Mandie Bell, Marketing Support Manager, on 0845 125 98 99 or by email at [email protected], well in advance.

FOLLOW-UP VISIT TO BRUSSELS

Ian Durrant, PCG's director of external affairs, and political adviser, David Ramsden visited Brussels again last week as a follow-up to their earlier meeting, which had been facilitated by PCG's new partner in Brussels, "Small Business Europe".

"It is interesting to note," said Ian, "that the Commissioners in Brussels seem to have a fairly positive and accurate view of freelancers and their businesses, correctly categorising them as small-scale entrepreneurs."

PCG A RUNNER UP AT THE 'ORANGE SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL' AWARDS

Simon Griffiths and Richard Robson attended the "Orange Small is Beautiful" award ceremony on Tuesday 2 March 2004 at the Institute of Directors, as PCG was one of four organisations shortlisted in the "Best Demonstration of Business Ethics" category.

This award was won by Impact Community Developments, Bradford, a youth-led organisation providing a holistic and innovative approach to addressing growing problems of homelessness and unemployment.

Richard Robson said, "The winners and the other nominees were genuine social enterprises whose entire ethos is based on community service, and we felt privileged to be included in the same shortlist as them at this high profile awards ceremony."

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Kent
Suggested real life meeting. Forum Discussion.
Contact: Fat32Stone (Matt H)

Chester/Manchester
Suggested real life meeting. Forum Discussion.
Contact: jat (John Thomas)

London - "Designing your Website" - AICS - Thursday 11 March 2004, 19:00
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1. The Association of Independent Computer Specialists presents "Designing your Website". Guest speakers - David Penfold and Conrad Taylor of the British Computer Society Electronic Publishing Specialist Group. For further information about the AICS please visit www.aics.org.uk. See forum discussion.
Contact: ashmele (John Ashmele)

Stevenage - Tuesday 16 March 2004
At Chequers, Stevenage, on A602 towards Hertford. Forum Discussion.
Contact: BrianS (Brian Shield)

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