I'm starting a job as a contractor

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And can't decide between going under an umbrella company, or setting up a company. I'll be working from home, very little travelling, if any. I may buy a new laptop and put that down as equipment but that's about it.

If I did set up a company would I need an accountant? It seems a relatively simple set up financially.

Usually I do contracts through an agency.

I set up a limited company ( my accountant did it for me)
He also does my VAT and company returns, I could probably so it myself but my time is better spent on my core work.
I am also VAT reg so anything I buy that is " for the business" I can reclaim the VAT and also offset against Tax.
You don't really NEED an accountant but mine charges about £500 per year and it's worth it

Have a chat with an accountant about what your options are: I've worked both as Self Employed and as a Limited Company. Whatever you do set up a separate bank account for your business, it makes doing the accounts much more straightforward.

I've a ltd co (not vat reg) & my accountant does the monthly payroll for me, plus year end accounts. Check what % the umbrella co takes compared to having a ltd co with accountants fees. Also, how long do you intend to be a contractor?

Don't you just pay PAYE with an umbrella company? It's very easy to set up a ltd company, you can get an accountant to do a monthly pay roll and the end of year accounts, but sort out your expenses and dividends yourself.
You can very easily set up your own ltd company.

Just investigating this myself. I've been contracting since the beginning of the year but have been using an umbrella company as that suited circumstances at the time.

I'm just changing positions and I've been looking into the Ltd company route but I think I probably fall within IR35 so I'm unsure whether it would actually be beneficial to me.