What makes a good calculator?
There are a lot of factors to consider when searching for a good umbrella company calculator to use. Here are our top tips for finding the best results:
Clear outcomes
If you use a calculator and the results they give you are confusing, vague or unclear in any way then you need to find a different calculator. The results you receive should list the costs that were included when the calculation was made. If it doesn’t, then you won’t be able to use those results to make a fully informed decision.
Additional perks
It’s all well and good knowing the financial facts, but many umbrellas offer other benefits that can affect your finances elsewhere. For example, some provide pensions, while others offer income protection.
These additional perks mean that you don't need to put extra money elsewhere, so they could have a direct financial value. It might be worth researching the cost of a private pension or independent income protection to figure out a rough value.
Biased sales tools
One of the biggest red flags you’ll come across when looking for an umbrella company calculator is when they ask for contact details before revealing your results. This suggests that they're focused on selling to you rather than providing helpful support. Don't fill in contact details unless you're looking for sales calls and emails!
Ease of use
It can be hard enough to get your head around complicated facts and figures without having to use a tool that makes the process even more complex. The best calculators will support you in evaluating your options, even if it means changing different factors such as your monthly income, so you can see how the results change.
The benefits of a good calculator
There are many benefits to finding a good umbrella company calculator to help you weigh up your umbrella options.
Firstly, you don’t have to spend time factoring different fees and taxes into the results. The calculator will do this for you, saving you valuable time and effort. It will also take into consideration your total National Insurance requirements. In most cases, this means both Employer’s and Employee’s National Insurance.
Not only that but finding a calculator that compares umbrella companies for you will save you hours of your time. Instead, you can crack on with some extra work or make the most of your downtime.
You can also benefit from huge financial savings. By being able to compare and contrast different companies, you will see which ones boast the best value for money. For example, you can weigh up the additional perks of a higher cost umbrella to see if it would be better than the lower fees of another one that has no extra benefits.
Finally, by using a calculator, you'll be able to find the best umbrella company for you. You'll gain access to exemplary customer service, the best perks for you and have your contractor admin fully taken care of.