I've had enough, it's time to go it alone - Help!

[JustMoon]

I have made the decision but have realised I don't have a clue what I am doing in terms of being self employed. Where do I start??

Any advice??

IMO,the best thing is try to make sure you have a couple of customers lined up before you leave your job. Then they will buy you enough time to think about all the legal and tax stuff, and how to generate new business and so on, while still on a salary.

Plus find a friendly local accountant to advise you. Good luck

The tax office do courses (only a few hours, basics) for keeping your accounts. You need to register for self-employment, and IIRC they will send you details when you do this, but you could ask when you contact them.

I only work very part-time and managed to get what I needed from a former colleague who had also just gone freelance, but it migh be useful?

Thanks both, I have a couple of small projects lined up and have a three month notice period to try and drum up some trade.

Do I need to register anywhere other than with the revenue?

Business Link will tell you everything you need to know.

Thanks MrAnchovy that looks like an excellent website.

apart from the practical side, just make sure you absolutely LOVE your own company! After seven years being s/employed I'm not so sure now...

Endangered, no I don't really, however, my line of work involves lots of other people and requires meeting them so I will not generally be stuck in the house on my own. Unless I get no work of course!

Saying that, I have worked for very small companies previously one of which was only me and the boss and he was rarely there. I was there 5 years.