Comparator

Award-winning FCSA-Accredited & Professional Passport-Approved Payroll Company: Umbrella, PAYE, CIS & Limited Company.

ADVANCE provides world-class service and works in partnership with recruitment businesses and their candidates, adding value throughout the contracting supply chain. ADVANCE continuously invests in its infrastructure and people to ensure every part of the contracting journey for both candidate & recruiter is efficient, simple, and reliable. Whether you’re a contractor looking for support or a recruitment professional who wants the very best for your candidates, ADVANCE has the solution.

We Contract are one of the top compliance orientated employment intermediaries and professional service providers to the recruitment industry. We employ 1000’s of short term contracting workers, in all industry sectors, all over the UK and abroad.

We were established in the UK in 2013, operate from offices in central Chester and have held full FCSA accreditation since 2017, being one of the earliest adopters of the industry gold standard.

Pay Guardians operate a simple and efficient umbrella and PEO service for agencies and workers. Our processes are fully documented and comply wholly with employment and tax legislation leaving you free from the burden of ensuring yours and your temporary workers affairs are fully managed. Our team of qualified accountants and payroll specialists with years of experience will ensure piece of mind and provide the highest quality of personal service throughout.

NumberMill knows more than most how important payroll and related compliance is to the sector. More than ever and with the introduction of the Criminal Finance Act September 2017, it is even more important for agencies to have the reassurance that their partners meet high standards of compliance and eliminate risk in the supply chain. NumberMill truly has the qualifications, skills, and expertise to keep both contractors and agencies compliant whilst being agile, offering the best commercial, honest & transparent advice, in a constantly changing legislative environment.

Highly experienced FCSA accredited Umbrella payroll provider offering excellent worker journey and robust adherence to HR and employment compliance and legislation.

With over 20 years of experience, Parasol has grown from providing umbrella payroll services to offering comprehensive employment and payroll solutions. During this time, we’ve supported more than 250,000 professionals and partnered with over 3,000 recruitment agencies and end clients.

We understand the critical priorities for your candidates, clients, and agency: exceptional support, on-time payments, and full compliance with HMRC regulations. These are at the heart of everything we do and are reflected in the loyalty of professionals who choose us year after year, as well as our long-standing partnerships with some of the most recognised names in recruitment. As a founding member of the FCSA and a company created by a contractor for contractors, Parasol makes getting paid simple for the agile workforce. Since our launch in 2000, our goal has been to empower contractors to maximise their careers by offering complete peace of mind through accurate, compliant, and reliable payroll services.

Speedy Onboarding

Getting started is simple. Agencies provide basic details and terms; contractors complete a quick Right to Work check via Trust ID (just three minutes). We handle all paperwork and contracts for a smooth process.

Compliance-First

As an FCSA founding member, we set the gold standard in UK tax, employment, and regulatory compliance—giving agencies and contractors complete peace of mind.

Security & Stability

We safeguard your data with Cyber Essentials Plus certification and maintain strong financial stability to ensure uninterrupted payroll services.

Trusted Guidance

Our expert teams offer tailored support, onboarding assistance, and training workshops—the largest agency and employee support network in the sector.

Big Fish Group Limited is a leading UK provider of umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services, dedicated to serving contractors and recruitment agencies with unwavering reliability. We challenge the traditional stereotype of the sector by combining rigorous professional standards with a genuine passion for what we do. Founded on the principles of authenticity and dedication, we understand that credibility and compliance are the cornerstones of the recruitment industry. For agency partners, from boutique firms to multi-national MSPs, we offer a transparent, "straight-talking" partnership that prioritises your reputation and the welfare of your workforce. While we operate with energy and a personable approach, we never compromise on quality. We are committed to delivering the precise services our partners need, ensuring contractors are paid correctly and on time, every time. Commitment to Compliance

In an industry where regulatory adherence is paramount, Big Fish Group stands as a beacon of trust. We are proud to be FCSA-accredited and SafeRec-certified, ensuring our processes are independently audited and fully compliant with UK tax law and associated legislation. Our accreditations are complemented by our cloud-based payroll compliance portal, Lighthouse. Lighthouse provides our recruitment agency partners and end clients with direct access to and insight into every stage of our payroll process, as well as real-time visibility into our PAYE liability information. Our clients are never left wondering and can rest assured that their supply chain is secure, compliant, and meets the highest standards of integrity.

Big Fish: Not Your Average Umbrella

• Experienced Leadership: Founded and led by a team with over 30 years of combined experience in the payroll and recruitment sector.

• Unrivalled Availability: We understand the demands of the recruitment cycle. We provide exceptional customer service and support that extends beyond the 9-to-5. When we say 24/7, we mean it.

• Comprehensive Service Range: Expert provision of Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services tailored to the needs of the modern workforce.

• Reliability & Accuracy: A steadfast commitment to ensuring accurate, on-time payments for contractors, safeguarding agency relationships.

• Client-Centric Culture: A friendly, energetic team that prioritises the things that matter most to our customers, delivering solutions with a personal touch.

Umbrella Company UK was launched in 2019 and has revolutionised the way contractors and freelancers are paid through an umbrella company. We live in a digital world, and we wanted to modernise the umbrella experience. How did we achieve this? We introduced a state-of-the-art app. The app is intelligent. It will allow you to submit their hours and view your payslips – all while on the go!

We’re relatively new on the scene, but we have already received exceptional feedback from our clients. When you join us, you’ll be able to take advantage of:

• Our state-of-the-art app (meaning you’ll have hardly any administration) • Easy sign-up process • £25 million insurance package • Same Day Faster Payments • Employee Benefits, including Sick Pay and Maternity/Paternity Pay • No tie in period, and no joining or leaving fees • Access to Umbrella Company UK Rewards – our employee discount scheme* • Fully compliant payroll (PAYE) – we’re proudly accredited by the FCSA.

• Available for clients who opt for the Umbrella Company UK premium service only.