Comparator

Established in 2002, ICS Accounting has been supporting contractors, freelancers and small business owners across the UK for over 18 years. Our ethos of trust, care and compliance enable you to focus on your job without the task of endless paperwork, ensuring you are operating compliantly.

The ICS Accounting Umbrella solution provides an employment solution for independent workers, taking the stress out of contracting. ICS Accounting will process your pay either weekly or monthly, paying relevant Tax and NI liabilities to HMRC and the rest to yourself, ensuring you’re paid accurately and on time. As an employee, you will receive full employment rights, including holiday pay and sick pay, cover from our comprehensive insurances and access to our comprehensive employee benefits portal. Through the portal you will find huge discounts on your shopping as well as a wellbeing area providing education, support and tools to be the best version of yourself at home and at work.

Winner of ‘Best Umbrella Company’ at The Contracting Awards 2019 and 2022 finalists. Contractor Umbrella was established in 2001, as one of the most trusted, longest standing umbrella companies in the UK, we ‘guarantee’ our employees peace of mind, absolute compliance and complete security.

• You can chat with us by phone, email or via our Livechat.
• Fully accredited by FCSA, so you can rest assured that you are working with a compliant business.
• New contractors can register online in just a few minutes.
• You will have your very own dedicated Contract Manager.
• Make tax and NI savings by contributing a portion of your earnings into our company pension or your personal pension fund/SIPP. • Same day payments offered as standard, every working day.
• Fixed margin rate and we only deduct our margin when we are paying you.
• We offer a Service Guarantee to ensure that you will be looked after at every step of the way.
• Contractor Umbrella offer an employee rewards scheme which includes a fuel discount card, foreign currency exchange, contractor accommodation, contractor mortgages and much more.
• Included is a comprehensive £20m insurance package.
• Contractor Umbrella employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks of holiday each year.
• Flexible limited company accountancy - when you sign up to our sister company Dolan Accountancy’s monthly accountancy package (£105 + vat).

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.

We exist to Create a Legacy that Values All People and Creates Opportunities for Generations to Come - joining Arch will support this mission.

NWM has industry heritage, being at the forefront of the Umbrella Payroll industry for 27 years with over £1bn in wages successfully paid to date and achieving No.32 in the UK Fast-Track 100. Our senior management have worked at NWM for two decades.

NWM is a trusted partner dedicated to providing outstanding payroll services tailored to the unique requirements of contractors across the UK. We are approved on the major MSP platforms such as Datum, Vistry, Pretium and HAYS.

Our FCSA accreditation (Umbrella, Self Employed/CIS) underpins our professionalism, passion, and stability. Every client receives the highest quality service they deserve.

Graham William’s our Chairman and owner is also a Council Member for the FCSA.

NWM have been certified ISO9001 since 2012. This validates our longstanding and ongoing commitment year after year, to the quality and standards we aim to achieve as a business.

With nearly 450 Google reviews rated at 4.7 our reputation among contractors and agency partners speaks volumes about our commitment to delivering outstanding service.

NWM are Cyber Essentials Certified supporting our customers in an ever-challenging digital world. This is another pillar of our business philosophy.

Value for money is central to our offering. Contractors regularly mention the cost of living. We understand they seek excellent service, but also fair, transparent pricing. NWM provides competitive rates combined with comprehensive support, ensuring clients receive maximum value. Transparent communication and straightforward margin structures mean contractors know exactly what they will be paid and can trust there are no hidden costs.

NWM process daily payroll with Thursday being our main schedule. This ensures contractors receive their wages on time and without hassle. This reliable Thursday payment helps agencies maintain smooth operations, and contractors can plan their finances and travel with confidence.

NWM stand out for our strong commitment to customer service. We believe every contractor is more than just a number, they are valued partners in our community. To demonstrate this, we call every contractor shortly after their first pay from NWM. This personal touch allows us to understand their individual circumstances, answer any questions, and ensure they feel supported from the outset. This proactive approach helps to build trust and confidence.

Our commitment to support and educate adds significant value. We have recently launched Recruitment Industry Specific training for Consultants through to Management level. We also update clients on legislative changes, industry best practices, new opportunities through newsletters, webinars, and one-to-one consultations.

NWM possess a deep understanding of the recruitment landscape. Our directors were previously highly accomplished recruiters in their own rights, we know exactly what is required from a recruiter’s perspective and have transferred this knowledge into our customer service. We have navigated through numerous industry changes and regulatory updates, enabling us to offer informed advice and tailored solutions. Our expertise allows us to anticipate the needs of our clients and contractors, providing proactive support that sets us apart from competitors.

With over 20 years of experience running recruitment agencies, Phillips Payroll understands the unique challenges of managing temporary payroll and delivers services designed to make workforce management simple, compliant, and dependable. We provide fully managed payroll and workforce solutions to the recruitment sector, ensuring contractors and temporary workers are paid correctly and on time, every time.

We process multiple pay methods including PAYE (Umbrella & PEO) and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Our comprehensive service covers onboarding, verification, tax and NI deductions, CIS returns, payslip production, and payment execution, removing administrative and compliance burdens from our clients.

At Phillips Payroll, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service, with a dedicated and responsive team that ensures every client and worker receives the support they need. Our compliance-first approach, combined with flexible engagement models and a genuine commitment to service excellence, ensures transparency, reduces risk, and provides a reliable, trusted solution for both clients and workers.

Looking for a fast, hassle-free way to contract? No Worries Red Umbrella makes contracting effortless—with instant payroll, no IR35 worries, and zero admin stress.

We’ve been helping contractors get paid quickly and compliantly since 2005. Our FCSA-accredited umbrella service guarantees you’re working with a fully compliant, transparent, and reliable provider, trusted by agencies, end clients, and thousands of contractors across the UK.

Why Choose No Worries Red Umbrella? ✅ Get Paid Fast – Daily payroll runs mean you get paid the same day we receive funds from your agency. No delays, no hassle. ✅ Zero Setup or Exit Fees – No lock-in periods, no hidden costs. Join or leave whenever you want. ✅ Fully Transparent – Fixed, all-inclusive fees with no surprise deductions. We handle all tax, NI, and compliance so you don’t have to. ✅ 100% Online & Instant Setup – Get started in under 10 minutes and submit timesheets from anywhere. ✅ Expert Support – Our team of payroll, tax, and compliance specialists are on hand to make contracting smooth and stress-free. ✅ Free Insurance Cover – £10M Employers’ Liability, £5M Public Liability, and £5M Professional Indemnity included at no extra cost. ✅ Pension & Perks – Access flexible salary sacrifice pension contributions and tax-saving schemes like Cycle to Work.

Whether you're new to umbrella contracting or switching from another provider, No Worries Red Umbrella gives you a stress-free, fully compliant payroll solution that works for you.

Get set up today and start getting paid—fast, simple, no worries. 🚀