Churchill Knight Umbrella is a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company

To provide increased value and transparency for every contractor and freelancer using Churchill Knight Umbrella, we are delighted to be a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company.

SafeRec is revolutionizing compliance within the umbrella company payroll sector, and as a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company, every payslip we process for an employee is reviewed by SafeRec’s payslip reviewing software – powered by AI. And, our employees will be emailed a real-time report every time they are paid – allowing them to check the payslip they have been issued is transparent, compliant and has no warning signs of malpractice. This level of compliance has never been seen before, and we are delighted to be one of the first umbrella companies in the UK to become SafeRec certified.

Please keep reading and learn more about SafeRec, the new payslip reviewing software and why our new certification ensures all our umbrella company employees are in the safest hands with Churchill Knight Umbrella.

What is SafeRec?

Powered by AI, SafeRec’s auditing software is revolutionising compliance within the contractor payroll sector. SafeRec was founded by Sebastian Sauca (CEO) and Jule Marcouille (CTO), friends with a history of success in the recruitment and technology sectors. After 20 months of development, the payslip auditing software was launched and has already greatly impacted the temporary staffing industry.

With advanced AI technology at its heart, SafeRec’s software provides contractors and freelancers with real-time reports on their umbrella company payslips to check they have been processed ethically and in accordance with HMRC’s rules and regulations.

Every time Churchill Knight Umbrella pay an employee, they will be sent an email with a payslip audit report – the perfect way to check everything has been processed compliantly and transparently. Our employees can also log in to Payslip Buddy and check the reports issued for each of their payslips (since we have been certified).

Our SafeRec certification is also beneficial to recruitment agencies and end-clients. SafeRec has been extremely well received in the sector because it helps companies hiring temporary workers remain compliant with complex legislation such as the Criminal Finances Act because they can receive real-time information on the payslips being produced by umbrella companies they refer to. If an umbrella is paying employees unethically, agencies will be alerted immediately – helping them identify malpractice the moment it occurs.

SafeRec is setting the standards for transparency and compliance in the umbrella company sector

Churchill Knight Umbrella has always been committed to providing a trustworthy, compliant and transparent umbrella payroll service for contractors and freelancers. For several years, we have proudly been an accredited Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) member – the number one professional body committed to ensuring the supply chain of temporary workers is compliant with HMRC’s rules and regulations. Our FCSA membership was renewed earlier this year, and we look forward to continuing our relationship and accreditation with the FCSA.

SafeRec adds a new dimension of compliance and transparency to the service our employees receive. We have always prioritised compliance and customer service, but now, being a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company allows us to prove we are paying our workers compliantly.

Every time we process the payroll of a Churchill Knight Umbrella employee, they will be emailed a payslip audit report which will examine the payslip and check it is compliant and that all the deductions are in accordance with HMRC’s rules and regulations. We have nothing to hide regarding our payslips, but now our employees have the power to check they’re being paid correctly and ethically every time we send them a payslip – providing total peace of mind.

SafeRec puts compliance in the hands of the contractor – a concept that, until now, has never been seen before.

Andrew Trodden, Marketing Manager at Churchill Knight Umbrella, explained the significance of being a Certified SafeRec Umbrella Company. He said:

“SafeRec is capable of identifying suspicious activity, such as salary skimming. With the industry having undergone recent scrutiny, this is extremely valuable and will provide our employees with complete peace of mind.

Essentially, SafeRec allows umbrella companies committed to compliance, like Churchill Knight Umbrella, to prove they abide by UK laws and can be trusted – which is fantastic.”

How can Churchill Knight Umbrella employees check payslips using SafeRec?

Once you have been paid for the first time (since our SafeRec certification went live in July 2023), you will be sent an onboarding email from Payslip Buddy – the auditing platform provided by SafeRec. The email will include the information you need to activate your Payslip Buddy account and view your audited payslips. Payslip Buddy is completely free-of-charge for all Churchill Knight Umbrella employees and will provide you with a thorough insight into your payslips – allowing you to be confident we are paying you transparently and compliantly .

Once you have completed the quick onboarding process with Payslip Buddy, you will receive a payslip audit for every payslip we process for you while you remain a Churchill Knight Umbrella employee (sent via email). You can also log in to your Payslip Buddy account whenever you want to check your payslips.

SafeRec is available for non-Churchill Knight Umbrella employees too

If you are using a different umbrella company for your payroll, you can still use SafeRec to check your payslips for free. The FCSA have teamed up with SafeRec to provide a free payslip verification tool.

The FCSA’s website states:

“This service is available to employees of any umbrella companies, not just FCSA members. It’s an entirely confidential and free service, and we will never disclose your identity to umbrella companies without your consent.

Once you’ve uploaded a payslip and reconciliation, we’ll aim to return the results to you within seven working days.”

Please click here to use the FCSA’s payslip verification tool, powered by SafeRec. Please be aware that results may take over a week.

Contact Churchill Knight today!

Are you interested in moving away from your current provider and joining Churchill Knight Umbrella? Churchill Knight Umbrella is an FCSA-accredited and SafeRec-certified umbrella company providing contractors and freelancers with a compliant payroll service. Since we launched in 2016, we have quickly become one of the most popular umbrella companies in the UK, and we help thousands of contractors get paid each month.

If you are interested in finding out more about Churchill Knight Umbrella or would like to switch to our umbrella service, please call us on 01707 871622. You can also request a callback at a time that suits you, and a team member will contact you.

Providing support and peace of mind to the UK’s staffing agencies

Being a SafeRec Certified umbrella company also gives our recruitment agency partners a huge bonus because they can check the payslips of the candidates we process the payroll for. Recruitment agencies must have well-vetted, compliant and regularly updated Preferred Supplier Lists (PSL) to ensure they only refer candidates to compliant umbrella companies.

By referring a candidate to a non-compliant umbrella, legislation such as the Criminal Finances Act could pose a severe risk. HMRC is actively working to identify businesses promoting tax avoidance schemes, even if done accidentally, and the penalties could be devastating.

If you represent a recruitment agency and you’re interested in adding Churchill Knight Umbrella to your agency’s PSL, or you would like to discuss the advantages of partnering with a Certified SafeRec umbrella company, contact our dedicated Agency Support Department by calling 0800 2525533 or emailing agency@churchill-knight.co.uk.

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Why use Churchill Knight Umbrella?

Setting the standards

We're one of the most recognised umbrellas in the UK.

Excellent processes

We've streamlined the sign up process. Support is always available.

Accurate pay calculations

Our calculations are based entirely on your circumstances.

A big network

We have excellent relationships with the biggest agencies.

Brilliant reviews

We have great reviews on both Google and Trustpilot.

Accredited by the FCSA

Churchill Knight Umbrella is a member of the FCSA.

Accredited by SafeRec

We are one of the first SafeRec certified umbrellas.

No hidden costs

You can use our service with complete peace of mind.

Employee benefits

Including Sick Pay and Maternity/Paternity Pay.

Continuity of employment

This makes it easier for you to get external finance.

Insurance

£25 million insurance cover is include in our service.

Same Day Faster Payments

You will receive your funds the same day we pay you.

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