Contractor Accounting Services in Ireland

Focus on Your Contract.

We'll Handle the Rest.

You’ve got projects to deliver and clients to impress. Let us take care of the administration. At Forti, we handle your payroll, PRSI, VAT, and tax returns so you can focus on your work. Whether you’re under an umbrella company or running your own limited company, we make sure you stay compliant, paid on time, and stress free.
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Why Choose Contracting in Ireland

Contracting is no longer just for techies or consultants. It’s become a smart choice for professionals across every industry. It gives you the flexibility to work your way, the potential to earn more, and the freedom to grow your career on your own terms.

Higher earning potential

Contractors are often paid higher day rates than salaried employees doing the same job.

Greater flexibility

You choose the projects you work on and have more control over your work life balance.

Tax efficiency

Operating in a tax-efficient manner can increase your take-home pay compared to being a PAYE employee.

Get your agency finances under control

Our Services

We support contractors and recruitment agencies with a wide range of services. Our customised solutions ensure contractor satisfaction and smooth operations, from onboarding and payroll to tax compliance and account management. Partner with us for expert support and simplified administration.
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FORTI’s PAYE Umbrella simplifies Irish contracting. First-time contractors and those seeking a hassle-free approach can focus on their tasks while we handle invoicing, payments, and tax compliance. With an account manager, maximise your take-home earnings and retain your Class A PRSI contributions.

  • Contributions to Class A PRSI:Maintain your Class A PRSI contributions to ensure security, including benefits for job seekers and illness.
  • Comprehensive Insurance Coverage:Professional Indemnity and Employers’ & Public Liability insurance coverage are included to ensure your safety.
  • PAYE Tax Credit Retention:Maximise your take-home pay by retaining your PAYE tax credit.
  • Payroll Account Manager:You will have a dedicated payroll account manager as your point of contact.

Experience the benefits and flexibility of a Director with our Umbrella Company solution. Our service handles invoicing, payments, and tax compliance for first-time contractors, letting you focus on your work.

  • PRSI Class S Contributions:Employers’ & Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance shields you from risks.
  • Comprehensive Insurance Coverage:Professional Indemnity and Employers’ & Public Liability insurance coverage are included to ensure your safety.
  • Guaranteed Tax Compliance:We handle all tax submissions and compliance, making regulatory compliance easy.
  • Expense Claims:Take advantage of our professional advice and quick and easy filing process to maximise your take-home pay by claiming tax relief on appropriate business expenses.
  • Personalised Support:Receive committed help from a personal account manager who will help you with all aspects of your contracting experience, including compliance and administrative duties.

We can help you set up and run your own Personal Limited Company. This structure gives you the most tax-advantaged freedom, so you can manage your income, claim business expenses, and build your professional brand. We offer full support, from setting up the business to making sure it stays compliant and managing its finances.

  • Full Company Setup:We handle company registration, tax registration, and regulatory compliance for a smooth start.
  • Tax Efficiency:Optimise your finances with customised tax planning. You pay less tax and earn more with us.
  • Expense management:To increase your take-home pay, you can claim tax relief on allowable business expenses. Our experts advise on eligible expenses and handle claims.
  • Compliance:File VAT returns, corporation tax returns, and annual accounts. Our team handles submissions and ensures compliance.
  • Payroll Services:Including salary processing, PAYE, and insurance contributions, our all-inclusive services help you manage your payroll effectively.
  • Personalised Support:A dedicated account manager will help you with invoicing, financial reporting, and more.
  • Financial Reporting:Use detailed financial reports and analysis to make decisions and plan for the future.
  • Flexibility:Run your own business, pursue other business interests, and hire staff while enjoying FORTI’s comprehensive services and security.

Who is it for?

The ideal choice for contractors looking for increased independence and authority to improve decision-making.

Why Contractors Need Specialist Accounting in Ireland

Contracting gives you flexibility, independence, and higher earning potential, but it also comes with financial complexity that traditional accounting services often overlook. Contractors need support that reflects the realities of day rates, short-term engagements, agency payments, and cross-border work. At Forti, we specialise in contractor accounting and know how to help you maximise your take-home pay.

Inconsistent income needs smart planning

Contract roles can be three months, six months, project-based, extended, or suddenly ended. This means you need tax reserving, cash flow planning, salary optimisation, and VAT monitoring. We help you create predictability in an unpredictable work environment.

Tax efficiency affects your take-home pay

Contractors can benefit from claiming legitimate business expenses, using salary and dividend strategies, making executive pension contributions, and managing director reimbursements correctly. We structure your pay so you keep more of what you earn.

Umbrella vs limited company is a real decision

The structure you choose affects take-home pay, compliance, admin time, employment protections, and long-term tax planning options. We help you choose the right setup for your stage of contracting.

Remote and international work can add VAT complexity

If you work with UK, EU, US, or global clients, VAT rules and invoice wording matter. We help you get it right so you avoid errors, penalties, and late filings.

Compliance is part of the job

Contractors may need to manage PRSI, PAYE, VAT when relevant, corporation tax, CRO filings, payroll for their own company, and director duties. We handle end-to-end compliance so you stay compliant and stress free.

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Choosing Your Path Umbrella vs Limited Company

This is the first big decision you’ll make as a contractor. Here’s a straightforward breakdown to help you choose the right path for you.
This choice affects pay, admin, and long-term planning. Here’s a simple comparison
Feature Umbrella Company Personal Limited Company
How it works You become an employee of our umbrella company. We handle everything. You are the director of your own company. You have full control.
Admin level Minimal. Submit timesheets and expenses. We do the rest. Higher. You have legal duties as a director, but we manage the accounts.
Best for First-time contractors, short-term contracts, or anyone who wants maximum simplicity. Career contractors, higher day rates, and anyone who wants maximum tax efficiency.
Take-home pay Good Excellent, typically the most tax-efficient option
Thinking of switching accountants?

How Contractor Accounting Works

Contracting is not just about day rates. It is about structuring your finances correctly so you can maximise your income, stay compliant, and avoid tax surprises. Here’s how we support you under both options.

Under an umbrella company

Perfect for new contractors, short-term roles, or anyone who wants minimal admin.

We handle invoicing your agency or client, calculating tax PRSI and USC, payroll processing, payslips, compliance paperwork, and holiday pay setup if required.
You get predictable take-home pay, a simple monthly workflow, and peace of mind.

Under a personal limited company

Ideal for career contractors and higher earners.

We handle company formation, bookkeeping, VAT returns, monthly payroll, salary and dividend planning, corporation tax, CRO annual returns, director reimbursements, and pension contribution setup.
You get strong tax efficiency, full control, and better long-term planning.

Cross border contractors

If your client is in the UK, EU, USA, or beyond, we help you confirm when VAT applies, when reverse charge applies, whether services are outside the scope, and what wording must appear on invoices.

Contractor Options That Fit Your Lifestyle

Umbrella company

The simple, all-inclusive option

If you want a simple start to contracting, our umbrella company service is the way to go. You send us your timesheets, we invoice your client, take care of tax, PRSI, and compliance, then pay your salary straight to your bank account. It’s quick, reliable, and ideal for short-term or first-time contractors.
Get Started with Umbrella

Personal limited company

For maximum control and tax efficiency

For experienced contractors, a personal limited company offers the highest level of control and potential savings. Forti manages your company formation, bookkeeping, payroll, and returns, while guiding you on a tax-efficient way to pay yourself. You stay compliant and keep more of what you earn.
Set Up My Limited Company

When Should You Switch From Umbrella to a Limited Company

Many contractors begin under an umbrella company, and that can be the right move at the start. As your day rate increases or contracts stabilise, moving to a limited company can significantly increase your take-home pay.
You should consider switching when your day rate increases, you are on longer contracts, you want more control, you want to reduce tax legally, you want to make company pension contributions, or you plan to contract for multiple years.
Benefits of switching to a limited company include higher take-home pay, better tax planning options, limited liability protection, reimbursement of contractor expenses, and better long-term planning.
If you are unsure, we’ll talk you through both options and help you choose the best fit for your current contract and long-term goals.
Book your free agency review

What Contractors Can Claim as Business Expenses

Not every expense applies to every contractor. We’ll guide you on what’s relevant and allowable for your situation. For limited company contractors, understanding what you can claim can make a real difference to your tax bill and take-home pay. We make sure every allowable expense is captured and categorised correctly.

Typical contractor expenses

  • Home office costs
  • Laptops, monitors, headsets
  • Software subscriptions such as Microsoft 365, AWS, Adobe, Jira, Slack
  • Mobile phone and broadband
  • Training and certifications
  • Parking, tolls, taxis
  • Client meeting costs

Director expenses

  • Business mileage
  • Business portion of electricity and heating
  • Office furniture
  • Director reimbursements
  • Work from home allowances

Executive pensions

Company pension contributions can be tax deductible and are not subject to PRSI or USC. We help you structure this correctly.

The Forti Advantage for Contractors

Maximise your earnings

We structure your finances in a tax-efficient way, so you keep more of what you earn.

Hassle free admin

A streamlined process for timesheets and expenses, so you spend minutes on admin, not hours.

Expert advice on tap

A dedicated account manager who understands contracting and can guide you on expenses and pensions.

Compliance support

We keep you on track with Revenue and CRO requirements, so you can focus on your contract.

Why contractors often outgrow
a general accountant

Many contractors start with a general accountant, which can work at the beginning. As contracts become more regular, day rates increase, or umbrella vs limited decisions come into play, having a specialist makes a meaningful difference.

General accountant

  • Treats contractors like standard service businesses
  • Limited experience with umbrella structures
  • Focuses mainly on year-end filings
  • Less clarity on contractor-specific expenses
  • VAT advice can be cautious or unclear
  • Reactive support around deadlines

Forti – specialist contractor accounting

  • Understands day rates, contracts, agencies, and contract cycles
  • Supports both umbrella and limited company options
  • Provides ongoing guidance on take-home pay and tax planning
  • Clear guidance on allowable contractor expenses
  • Practical VAT guidance for Irish and cross-border contracts
  • Proactive support throughout the contract lifecycle

Why Contractors Choose Forti

Contractors move fast, and so do we. We remove the admin and compliance worries so you can focus on your contract and your income.
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Specialist contractor expertise

We work with IT contractors, engineers, pharma specialists, consultants, project managers, business analysts, creatives, and remote contractors across Ireland.

Clear take-home pay guidance

We show you what you can earn under umbrella or limited, and how salary structures and pension choices affect take-home pay.

Fast set-up

You can start contracting within 24 to 48 hours, under umbrella or limited.

Dedicated support

Your account manager helps with expenses, payroll adjustments, and compliance questions.

Less stress at year end

We keep filings organised and deadlines under control.

Expert Support for Irish Contractors

How to take home an extra €1500

Are you making the most of your contract income? Forti assists Irish contractors like you in keeping more of their earnings under current tax regulations.

Expert Tax & Compliance (IE)

Our qualified accountants are up to date on changes to Irish tax law, so you can take advantage of all eligible deductions and reduce your tax burden.

Retention Advantage

Forti clients have higher average retention rates than competitors. Even a small increase of 1.5% on a €100,000 annual income results in an extra €1,500 for you.

Invest in your success

FORTI's experience pays off. Focus on your work while we deal with the complexities of Irish contracting taxes.

Switching is Easy

We take care of the admin, making the switch to Forti easy.

What Our Clients Say

What Irish Contractors
Say About Us

I was new to contracting and the umbrella company option from Forti was perfect. It was simple to get set up and I just submit my hours and get paid. It let me focus on the job without worrying about admin.

Sarah Kelly

IT Project Manager, Dublin
Running my limited company through Forti made a big difference to my take-home pay. They handle the accounts and filings, and their tax guidance has been genuinely helpful. Professional service for long-term contractors.

Brian O'Connor

Senior Engineer, Galway

Additional Benefits for Contractors at FORTI Experience

Enhance your contracting experience with a variety of additional benefits designed to support your financial well-being and professional development.
  • Mortgage Assistance for Contractors: Our specialised mortgage services for contractors help you secure favourable mortgage terms. Our trusted partners guide you through the mortgage process, ensuring that you get the best rates and terms despite non-traditional employment documentation.
  • Financial Review and Planning: Receive comprehensive financial reviews that include pensions, protection plans, and investment strategies. Our trusted partners would assist you in making long-term financial plans that ensure financial stability and growth.
  • Financial Maximise Your Tax Efficiency: Our strategic tax planning services will help you optimise your tax position. We assist you in identifying tax-saving opportunities and ensuring compliance with all applicable tax regulations.
  • Unlock Higher Retention Rates: Increase your take-home pay with our customised financial strategies that prioritise income retention while minimising liabilities.
  • Flexible Working Arrangements: Maintain a healthy work-life balance by choosing projects and schedules that meet your needs. Our services promote flexibility, allowing you to focus on what is most important.
  • Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Protect yourself by purchasing a variety of insurance policies, such as professional indemnity, public liability, and health insurance, to ensure you are protected against a variety of risks.
  • Retirement and Pension Planning: Take advantage of our expert pension planning services to ensure a secure retirement. We offer advice on how to set up and manage your retirement funds to ensure long-term financial security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got more questions? That’s what we’re here for!

The PAYE Umbrella Company can instantly hire contractors.
Yes, contractors can switch from PAYE to Director Umbrella Companies at any time throughout the contract. Contact our office and our staff will handle the rest.
No, you don’t have to. We will handle your payroll and deposit monies to your personal bank account as soon as your recruiting agency pays us.
No.

Contractors under the PAYE Umbrella Company are taxed as employees. Deductions include income tax at standard/higher rates, Class A PRSI (employer and employee contributions), and USC — all calculated on gross earnings in line with Irish Revenue rules.

We issued an invoice to your agency and will pay you when paid. Weekly or monthly payments are possible.
No, you may pay using personal bank account. Only a Personal Limited Company need a separate bank account.
We will handle your taxes and deal with the revenue on your behalf.
Send your timesheets to your dedicated account manager by email. We will confirm receipt and process payment once your agency pays us.
It’s free to set up an Umbrella Company with us, and you just pay when we handle your paycheck.
We will simply advise Revenue that you have terminated your contract after final payment from your recruiting agency. Your MyAccount will be updated.
Yes. While we handle the accounting, we also work with trusted financial advisors who specialise in helping contractors set up executive pensions and other relevant insurance policies through their limited companies. This can be a tax-efficient way to plan for the future.

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Get Set Up and Start Contracting With Confidence

Tell us your day rate, contract length, and whether you prefer umbrella or limited company. We’ll recommend the best option and get you set up quickly.