The risk associated with contracting is well publicised. Contractors put themselves out on a limb to benefit from the rewards of contract work - which are many. But what is the key to a successful company umbrella contractor career? It seems that the most important aspect of any company umbrella career is being prepared. This goes for every facet of contract work, from finding employment to filling in tax returns. One way that contractors - particularly those who are new to the self-employment game - can ensure they are prepared for every eventuality is by enlisting the help of a good and reputable company umbrella. A decent company umbrella will take a lot of the hardship out of becoming self-employed and ensure that tax liabilities are met, but that they are also kept to a minimum. The forest of paperwork is often overwhelming for people new to contracting and, as this is one area of a good company umbrella's expertise, it makes sense to get them onboard at the earliest opportunity. Making contractors' lives easier is what a company umbrella is all about. But a less than reputable one may end up making life as a contractor more difficult than it is worth.

When it comes to selecting a company umbrella - just like every other aspect of becoming a contractor - it pays to be prepared. This means approaching a company umbrella with a good idea of what to expect from them and, in turn, what they will expect from you. Company umbrella fee structures are of major importance to all contractors. At the end of the day you need to know what you will be charged for their services and what take-home pay you can expect after deductions. This sounds like a no brainer, but it is vitally important to clarify company umbrella fee structure at the earliest opportunity - as remedying problems down the line can be more difficult. Fortunately, transparent company umbrellas, like Orange Genie, exist which take a lot of the leg work out of this task. But, it always helps to bear in mind the payment frequency, whether fees are capped and whether they are related to pay. Finding out about hidden costs and joining fees - again something that you don't need to worry about when you sign up with Orange Genie - is another common issue that all contractors have to get to grips with. It also makes sense to check out a company umbrella, even if they are a preferred supplier of your recruitment firm. Just because a recruiter picks them doesn't mean they are necessarily the best option from a contractor's point of view. One of the other things to find out is how many clients a company umbrella deals with and what their customer service is like. A strong client base and a good customer service record is a pre-requisite if you are going to have a hassle-free relationship with your company umbrella.

Some contractors get lumbered with an unscrupulous company umbrella when they sign up with a particular recruitment agency. Some find that the pay at their existing company umbrella is not high enough, while others simple opt for a company umbrella that doesn't rate customer service or contractor support particularly highly. In these situations it makes sense to try and change company umbrella to a more reputable operator - such as Orange Genie. Again, initial research and being prepared should deal with this company umbrella issue before it becomes a problem, but if a change is needed it is possible. You will often have to give notice to your existing company umbrella - which usually means adhering to a fixed notice period. But the market is very fluid and changes are never usually problematic - and operators like Orange Genie offer a no tie-in period, making this much quicker and easier. It is always best to switch company umbrella between roles, but if the service you are currently being offered is too poor to hang on then changing mid-contract is an option and Orange Genie will welcome you with open arms.