Icon Accounting - Accounting company in Ireland

While contracting and freelancing are similar yet different, it’s important to distinguish between them. In this blog, we will break down both freelancing and contracting and show you the benefits and differences so you can decipher which title or path is best for you. Since the pandemic, the number of people entering freelancing and contracting roles has shot up. The need for employees to be permanent isn’t as vital as it once was, as employers now look at hiring independent professionals to complete tasks using their expertise and skills-set. Likewise, more workers are now exploring the benefits of acting as Independent professionals, in comparison to that ‘permanent employees. While contracting and freelancing are similar yet different, it’s important to distinguish between them. In this blog, we will break down both freelancing and contracting and show you the benefits and differences so you can decipher which title or path is best for you.   Who are freelancers? ...

Although you may have learned many competencies since you started your career, markets constantly evolve, so obtaining new skills or refreshing current ones will ensure your capabilities remain relevant. To maximize your potential, and indeed your rate of pay, as an Independent Professional, you need to aim to achieve expert status within your field. As an Independent Professional Contractor, you rely heavily on your own skills as an income generation tool. It is a major part of what differentiates your work from others. Although you may have learned many competencies since you started your career, markets constantly evolve, so obtaining new skills or refreshing current ones will ensure your capabilities remain relevant. To maximize your potential, and indeed your rate of pay, as an Independent Professional, you need to aim to achieve expert status within your field. What is ‘upskilling’? Upskilling is elevating existing skills to the next level or acquiring new skills. Upskilling ens...

  We all know it can be grueling to stay on track with our finances. That’s why at Icon Accounting, we want to provide you with all the tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your finances. Below, you will find 5 of our financial tips to keep in mind as an Independent Professional! We all know it can be grueling to stay on track with our finances. That’s why at Icon Accounting, we want to provide you with all the tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your finances.  Here are 5 finance tips to keep in mind as an Independent Professional:   1. Project your earnings and price your rate If you already have a contract secured for the next six months to a year it is easier to work out what you’ll make versus bills, savings, and living expenses. However, if you’re between roles or will be working on shorter contracts throughout the year, a good strategy is to assess what you must earn to live comfortably and then price out what you need to earn in...

When starting out in the world of Contracting, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. We will run through the initial steps you can make to help you land your first or next contracting role. When starting out in the world of contracting, it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start. We will run through the initial steps you can make to help you land your first contracting job.   What you’re selling is yourself Remember, when working as a contractor, you are no longer just a representative for another company or brand: you are solely selling your own services.  The best way to tackle this is to start from the ground up.  Your CV Start by updating your CV with all relevant information, paying extra attention to your skills since this is the main element sought out by contract recruiters. What skills you offer could be learned from previous jobs or from upskilling you have carried out in your own time. Try to keep your CV concise and ta...