Establishing a strong business presence is an important step to ensuring both you and your Independent Contractor business is protected. It helps to think of your business in terms of two different contexts: the business structure and your behaviour as the business owner. Below are some tips to help you establish your business presence:
Structural Tips

Hire a professional accountant to ensure you’ve properly set up your incorporation
Keep detailed records
File proper tax returns
Set-up a separate business banking account.
Maintain appropriate expenses
Determine in advance what is billable to your client and what will be considered a business expense
Keep mileage logs, as well as any home office bills
Determine legitimate business expenses, such as your website, marketing costs, etc.
Risk of loss is a key differentiator
Is there risk of loss in your contract with your staffing agency?
Maintain your own business E&O insurance (talk to Eagle about how to acquire this insurance for $21.00 per month)
Leverage opportunities for more profit through more hours
Discourage your agency, or client, from mandating your hours of operation at a client site
Avoid numbered companies and name your corporation.
Behavioural Tips
Act like a business, not an employee
Avoid the 9 to 5 workday – vary your hours at a client site.
Avoid politics and people issues at a client site
Don’t partake in the water-cooler chatter
If something, or someone, is in the way of completing your mandate, focus on the issue, not the person
Don’t expect to attend your client’s social gatherings or events such as the annual holiday party. If you do participate, pay to attend and use the opportunity to network
Take on additional contracts with multiple clients, even if only part-time
Invest in regularly upgrading your skills through training activities paid by your incorporated business.
Bring your own tools to a client site – laptop, office supplies, etc.
Maintain a company internet profile.
Website
LinkedIn company page
Facebook company page
Corporate Twitter account
Advertise
Maintain your own business cards
Maintain a listing in various directories (i.e. Yellow Pages)
Consider sponsorship advertising opportunities
Lastly, if you do get audited, let your staffing agency Recruiter know about it. While there are no guarantees, the industry association might be interested in getting involved.