SafeRec

Powered by AI, SafeRec’s auditing software is revolutionising compliance within the contractor payroll sector. SafeRec was founded by Sebastien Sauca (CEO) and Jule Marcoueille (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.

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 Certified SafeRec 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.

Ciaran Woodcock, Director 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.”

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. Recently, the FSCA 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.

There is no shortage of umbrella company to choose from, with hundreds operating in the UK. While it’s excellent that contractors and freelancers have so many choices, it also creates a problem because many so-called “umbrella companies” act unethically and promote tax avoidance.

Every temporary worker must use a compliant and transparent umbrella company for their payroll because, ultimately, even if you use an unethical umbrella company against your knowledge, you are responsible for paying the correct tax and National Insurance.

By using Churchill Knight Umbrella, you are removing the risk of engaging with a non-compliant umbrella company. There are plenty of benefits to using our service, summarised below.

• SafeRec and industry-leading transparency – Churchill Knight Umbrella is a Certified SafeRec Umbrella Company, and you can log in to Payslip Buddy (powered by SafeRec) to check your payslips – to ensure they’re accurate, compliant and you’re being paid the correct amount. You will also be sent real-time audits each time Churchill Knight Umbrella processes your payroll.
• FCSA-accredited umbrella – We are also accredited by the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) – further proof that we are 100% committed to compliance within our sector and ensuring our employees are paid correctly, transparently and efficiently.
• Inclusive insurance cover – When you join Churchill Knight Umbrella, you’ll receive £10 million Employers Liability Insurance, £10 million Public Liability Insurance and £5 million Professional Indemnity Insurance.
• Employee benefits – By registering with an umbrella company, you become an employee. As a result, you will have access to Statutory Employee Benefits, including Sick Pay and Maternity/Paternity Pay.
• Continuity of employment – You can use Churchill Knight Umbrella for multiple assignments, and this can be very beneficial. By having one consistent employer (us), continuity of employment makes it easier for you to source external financing, such as a business bank loan or mortgage, and your rates are likely to be favourable compared to a self-employed worker using an alternative method of payroll.
• Thorough onboarding process – We have recently improved the onboarding experience for all of our employees based on feedback we received. Now, every newly-registered employee will be supported by our in-house Onboarding Department to ensure that everything has been set up correctly, all your questions have been answered, and you’re satisfied with how the service will work and how you will be paid. Once you have been paid for the first time, the onboarding process is complete, but you’ll still receive ongoing support – as and when required.
• Easy registration – Registering with us is really straightforward and can be done by completing a form online (available here) or over the phone (01707 871622).
• Same Day Faster Payments – We run payroll multiple times every day to ensure you are paid on the same day we receive your funds from your recruitment agency (or end-client).
• Simple switching – Switching to Churchill Knight Umbrella from another umbrella is a simple process, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re interested in joining our leading service, please call 01707 871622, request a take-home pay calculation here, or send us a message.
• No hidden fees, joining or leaving costs – The only income that Churchill Knight Umbrella generates is through the margin we deduct each time we process your payroll, and this will be clearly explained before you register with us. There are no hidden fees, including no joining or leaving costs. You can check every payslip you receive from us using SafeRec, to check you have been paid compliantly.

If you are interested in switching to Churchill Knight Umbrella, an FCSA accredited and certified SafeRec umbrella company, you can request a free and tailored take-home pay calculation now. Our friendly Sales Consultants are also on-hand to run through a calculation with you on the phone. Please call 01707 871622 now.

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 0808 2525533 or emailing agency@churchill-knight.co.uk.