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Joanne Harris

Joanne joined the Optionis Group in 2009 as an account manager, working closely with our agency partners. After developing an interest in the technical aspects of the role, she took the opportunity to train as a chartered accountant. She is now fully qualified, and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Jo also holds a 1st Class honours degree in Applied Accounting.

Before making the transition into her current role, she was an accountant with ClearSky Accounting, a brand within the Optionis Group, for five years. Jo’s responsibilities included helping contractors operate their limited companies, as well as providing sound accountancy and tax advice to her clients.

Since 2009, Jo has progressed through the ranks within the Optionis Group and she is now Technical Commercial Manager, helping to drive the Optionis brands - including Nixon Williams - as thought leaders in technical accountancy.

If she could summarise herself in one quick sentence? “I have two kids and a cat. And really like tax legislation!”.

Author Content

As long as you follow HMRC’s rules, your ‘annual event’ can go off with a tax-free bang, virtually or in-person.

23rd December, 2021 | Limited Companies

Thanks to the hellish IR35-covid mix, many contractors went brolly this year. But due to another combo, not entirely.

6th December, 2021 | Umbrella Companies

Adaptability is a quality many have but for some contractors, a master-servant relationship may be a bend too far.

Overview of the staple document when being paid through an umbrella company.

29th September, 2021 | Umbrella Companies

Know your rights to Statutory Sick Pay as an umbrella contractor, but get clued up before you fall unwell.

23rd August, 2021 | Umbrella Companies

An overview to building a nest egg through a contractor umbrella company.

9th August, 2021 | Umbrella Companies

Rules in 2016 still rule out many PSCs from a popular way to reduce their PAYE tax bill.

1st June, 2021 | Limited Companies

HMT has an opportunity to provide much-needed clarity and reassurance to the contractor sector.

A Radio 4-inspired refresher on your paid leave rights as a brolly employee.

31st March, 2021 | Umbrella Companies

Tax. Expenses. Pay. And other vitals for PSCs due to use a brolly for the first time.

22nd March, 2021 | Private Sector IR35 Reform

It’s the 'wholly and exclusively' test that matters, whether you’re using the CJRS or not.

26th January, 2021 | Expenses

Seven duties sum up what directors should be doing whenever furloughed between now and April 2021.

22nd December, 2020 | Coronavirus

Honing skills for 2021 must be the most positive, tax-savvy use of a furloughed limited company director’s Christmas time.

3rd December, 2020 | Training

To commemorate World Mental Health Day, us and Samaritans urge you to check in on your fellow contractors, and others -- SJD.

How to make sense of your off-payroll SDS, now and after April 6th 2021.

18th September, 2020 | Private Sector IR35 Reform

The devil could be in the ever-changing detail. But fortunately on NI, redundancy and overtime, there’s now clarity.

Covid-19 saw priorities shift. But KID could see agencies on the block, as it’s now an in-force requirement.

29th June, 2020 | Successful Contracting

Overview to the only cash grant PSC owners are being offered during the pandemic.

3rd April, 2020 | Coronavirus

It’s up to contractor-taxpayers to take ‘reasonable care,’ as blaming your accountant for being late won’t wash.

Even ‘fully inclusive’ accounting packages leave directors with duties. Do you know yours?

17th October, 2019 | Limited Companies