IT contractors can have confidence if they choose a service provider approved by the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA).

This is the view of FCSA chairman Stuart Davis, who tells Contractor Calculator that it is a positive step for the industry that the four founding FCSA members have recently passed a stringent code of conduct test, courtesy of a major accounting firm.

Thanks to this test, any IT contractor can be confident that an FCSA-approved agent adheres to strict rules regarding professionalism and ethics.

Designed with contractors in mind, it incorporates advice from HMRC and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation.

Mr Davis told the website: "There has been a lack of good, clear understanding about what contractors should expect from a high quality service provider.

"FCSA members, and indeed the FCSA itself, have filled that gap with oversight and support from third parties."

Contractor Calculator recently claimed that IT contractors are using umbrella services for the advice they get and lack of hassle, not simply to avoid the dreaded IR35.