Churchill Knight & Associates

Churchill Knight Umbrella operates as a leading umbrella company in the United Kingdom, specialising in providing compliant and efficient payroll services for contractors and freelancers. The firm was established in 2016 or 2017, emerging from professionals with over five decades of collective experience within the contractor payroll sector. As a sister company to Churchill Knight & Associates Ltd, which commenced operations in 1998, Churchill Knight Umbrella was specifically launched to cater to the needs of contractors, particularly those deemed inside IR35. The company processes the pay for thousands of temporary workers each week or month, demonstrating its scale and operational capacity within the UK market.

A core aspect of Churchill Knight Umbrella's operations is its commitment to compliance and transparency, which is underscored by its industry accreditations. The company is FCSA (Freelancer and Contractor Services Association) accredited, a distinction it proudly holds as one of the first umbrella companies to achieve this status. The FCSA is recognised as the UK's primary professional body dedicated to ensuring that the supply chain for temporary workers adheres to UK tax law and ethical standards. To secure and maintain this accreditation, Churchill Knight Umbrella undergoes a rigorous annual audit and assessment process conducted by independent accountancy and legal professionals.

The findings from these audits are openly shared with HMRC, ensuring full transparency regarding the company's internal procedures and its adherence to the FCSA's strict Code of Compliance. Further demonstrating its dedication to transparency and ethical practices, Churchill Knight Umbrella is also SafeRec Certified, a certification it was among the first to obtain. SafeRec is an advanced AI-powered software designed to audit payslips in real-time, ensuring that all deductions are compliant and that no malpractice occurs. This certification provides an enhanced level of assurance to employees, as they receive an automatically generated audit report for every payslip processed, allowing them to verify the accuracy and compliance of their payments.

The technology is capable of identifying suspicious activities, such as salary skimming, thereby offering peace of mind to contractors and recruitment agencies alike. The company offers a comprehensive suite of payroll and related services tailored for contractors and freelancers. Its primary offering is a compliant PAYE umbrella payroll service, which includes substantial benefits such as £25 million in insurance cover, encompassing Employers Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity Insurance. Employees also receive statutory benefits, access to Same Day Faster Payments, and a dedicated Account Manager, with no joining or leaving fees.

For self-employed individuals in the construction sector, Churchill Knight Umbrella provides a specialist CIS sole trader service, where workers maintain their self-employed status while the company processes their pay in accordance with HMRC legislation, deducting and remitting the appropriate tax. Additionally, the firm offers a salary sacrifice service, enabling employees to tax-efficiently contribute to their personal pension pots by allocating a percentage of their pre-tax salary, which is exempt from tax and National Insurance. Other services include a specialist payroll for drivers, offering additional insurance tailored for HGV or van drivers, and assistance with self-assessment tax returns for those with supplementary income sources. The company also provides an exclusive Churchill Knight Rewards scheme, offering various discounts and access to a 24/7 GP hotline.

Churchill Knight Umbrella maintains a focus on providing a compliant, reliable, and trustworthy payroll service, supported by ongoing development and exceptional online reviews. The company's operations are exclusively centred on contractor payroll and associated financial services. It does not engage in the provision or management of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) or any related real estate activities.