Our History as Leading IR35 Experts
Bauer and Cottrell was founded in 2003 by one of the UK’s leading IR35 experts, Kate Cottrell. After successful careers with the likes of a top accounting firm, and with HMRC as an Employer Compliance Manager, Kate decided to start her own business providing specialist IR35 expert services to contractors trying to navigate the recently introduced, complex tax legislation. This was the beginning of an extraordinary journey in Kate becoming one of the UK’s most well-known and respected IR35 and off-payroll working rules specialists.
During her time as owner of B&C, Kate undertook numerous high-profile engagements within the industry which have been instrumental in the ongoing application of IR35. These include being appointed by the Office of Tax Simplification as an IR35 expert policy advisor, tasked with undertaking the review of IR35 and writing the report for the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, being a founder and serving member on HMRC’s IR35 Forum and being appointed to assist the House of Lords committee on the use of Personal Service Companies.
Kate was a much-loved “champion of contractors”, and over the years successfully defended countless contractors who were being misclassified by HMRC, saving them £hundreds of thousands in wrongly assessed tax and NIC.
Kate’s expertise, and that of her team of IR35 experts, has earned B&C the outstanding reputation and industry-leading status it enjoys today. Kate’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and her contributions have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of IR35 and the off-payroll working rules in the UK.
Kate Cottrell, “IR35 Legend”
1955-2023
Bauer & Cottrell has a history of being staffed by former HMRC compliance officers, with first-hand experience in dealing with the IR35 legislation. Established almost 20 years ago with a vision to redefine IR35 consultancy, we’ve grown into a respected industry leader known for our seasoned expertise, integrity, and unwavering professionalism.
Charlie Hemsworth, our Tax Consultant Director and one of our key IR35 experts, joined Bauer & Cottrell in 2015. Charlie has over 20 years of experience in legal compliance in the contracting industry, beginning her career with various large accountancy service providers eventually undertaking the role of Senior Compliance Manager, with an emphasis and specialism in the IR35 rules and general employment status.
Charlie’s time at B&C has spanned many significant changes to the IR35 legislation, most recently the advent of the off-payroll working reforms in the public and private sectors. She has played a pivotal role in shaping and adapting the popular services offered by B&C today. During her time with the company, Charlie has personally undertaken thousands of contract reviews and IR35 assessments and has defended and won many HMRC investigation cases, contributing to B&C’s impeccable 100% win track record.
Charlie is passionate about delivering a professional and dedicated customer experience which always includes a “personal touch”, and as a result enjoys great working relationships with all our clients. This has been instrumental in our ability to retain an extremely loyal client base and high volumes of work through recommendation. In her own words, Charlie will always do a “proper job”!
Charlie Hemsworth, Director
Our Values
Expertise & Competence
Our team has a comprehensive understanding of the IR35 / off-payroll working rules, and we ensure we remain consistently up to date with all developments and changes, enabling us to provide fully dependable and credible services to our clients.
Honesty & Integrity
Our commitment to transparency, honesty, and our ethical approach is the foundation of our success. We believe in doing what's right, no matter how challenging. Our track record of time-tested trustworthiness demonstrates that our advice can always be wholly relied upon.
Professionalism
Delivering a professional service is extremely important to us and at the core of everything we do. With our meticulous attention to detail, and track record of delivering an exceptional service, we consistently uphold the highest standards to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Staff Commitment
Our dedicated team has been with us for the long haul, reflecting our stability and commitment to nurturing talent. Our low staff turnover means you'll always work with familiar faces who know your business inside and out.
Client-Focused
Focusing on clients' unique needs and offering tailored solutions to help them navigate IR35 compliance effectively, and empowering clients with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about IR35 compliance.
Impartiality
We ensure fairness, objectivity and the absence of bias in all services we provide, consistently upholding the highest ethical standards to deliver transparent and reliable outcomes.
Speak to our IR35 Experts today
Whatever your IR35 and status compliance needs, we’ve got you covered.
What our clients say...
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"I have always been extremely happy with the service you provide both on a professional level and a personal level, so wanted to say a genuine thank you for reviewing all my contracts over the years and all the additional advice you have provided."
Jeremy Fletcher Black Diamond Consulting LtdRead more -
“I engaged Charlie to assess my contract prior to starting at a new client. Charlie was fantastic throughout the process. She demonstrated deep understanding of the relevant legislation and always responded promptly and professionally. As an independent expert her advice and opinion were well received by the end client, who provided an outside status determination. With Charlies input, the end client could demonstrate reasonable care had been taken – a win-win for both parties! I cannot recommend Charlie highly enough."
Tony Ward Statcore LtdRead more -
“I’ve used Bauer & Cottrell for several years and wholeheartedly recommend them to everyone that I work with. They’ve successfully negotiated a whole range of adverse and risky terms out of contracts on my behalf, far more effectively than I could’ve by dealing with the relevant agents myself, and taught me more about the practical side of successfully engaging with clients (outside) of IR35 than any other source of information. Their Contractor Guardian Plus service provides me with the complete peace of mind that I don’t believe is otherwise readily achievable within the means of an independent contractor.”
Adam Williamson Network Guy Consultancy LtdRead more -
“Thank you so much for your really prompt, efficient and calm approach in negotiating changes to the proposed contract with my client, to ensure it correctly reflected working practices. You made the whole process seem so straightforward and Bauer and Cottrell’s reputation provides well deserved reassurance that it’s been done properly.”
Stephen Penfold MTwenty International LtdRead more -
“The Bauer & Cottrell IR35 Review Package I receive through my accountant has been extremely good value and most importantly how/why the review is done; so it is done correctly, thoroughly and the determination is accurate, in line with current legislation. I have been continually recommending Bauer and Cottrell/this approach to my peers. Even now, where the client is responsible for making the determination, Bauer and Cottrell review all the paperwork and examine the actual working practices, to ensure this has been done correctly. Additionally, when checking the supporting paperwork, Bauer and Cottrell have ensured this accurately reflects the determination and actual working practices. With your help we have the right outcome done properly, which for a recent review, the client very much appreciates being able to retain me for a time sensitive/important project and we know that we are compliant. IR35 determination is complex and often misunderstood. Bauer & Cottrell’s expertise and experience ensure a correctly determined outcome.”
Peter IT Contractor, bankingRead more -
“As someone new to contracting and the complexities of the IR35 regulations, I engaged Bauer & Cottrell Ltd to advise me on an agency contract. Throughout the entire engagement their friendly and professional team were a joy to work with. Their specialist consultant (Charlie) was extremely knowledgeable, responding swiftly to all my questions, and quickly negotiated a compliant contract with the agency on my behalf. I’ve since engaged them again for a subsequent contract and experienced the same fantastic and timely service. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to others in a similar position.”
Ben Moss Kaizen Path Consulting LtdRead more -
“I had to consult with Bauer & Cottrell regarding the IR35 status of one of my contracts, and the service they provided was immaculate, with super fast responses, and full support, including assessment, contract templates, and many revisions until the contract was as watertight as it gets. To top it all, the service was pleasantly friendly. I would highly recommend them for anything IR35 related.”
Haitham Seelawi Eva-Ayla Seelawi ML LtdRead more -
You have all been a pleasure to deal with, and extremely helpful and I look forward to dealing with your company again in the future.” “I have nothing but good words to say about you and the team.
Shaun Deeney SD Testing Services LtdRead more
Browse our range of services...
Contractors
Bauer & Cottrell have been helping contractors manage their IR35 compliance for over 20 years.
Engagers
IR35 determination packages, training, compliance partnership, supply chain reviews and more.
Agencies
We offer a whole range of services to help agencies with IR35 & the Off-Payroll Working rules.