Thinking about contracting?
A straightforward way to get started
Contracting lets you increase your earning potential, pick assignments that interest you, and maintain flexibility in your schedule. Using a payroll provider like us means you can enjoy those advantages without forming a limited company or dealing with payroll responsibilities yourself. We become your employer, process your pay through PAYE, and take care of compliance so you can concentrate on your work.
What does a payroll provider like ours do?
When you contract through a provider such as UWF, we act as your employer throughout your assignments. That means we:
• issue your employment contract
• receive the assignment funds from your agency or end client
• run PAYE for tax, National Insurance and other statutory deductions
• pay your take-home earnings into your bank account, along with a clear payslip and remittance
You keep the freedom of contracting while benefiting from the stability that comes with formal employment.
Is this type of payroll arrangement right for you?
It’s often a strong choice if you:
• are working inside IR35 or need to be paid via PAYE
• want to start quickly without forming a limited company
• prefer statutory protections such as holiday pay, sick pay and pension auto-enrolment
• move between short-term assignments and want one employer and one consistent set of documents
If you're unsure, we’re happy to explain the options in straightforward terms.
How it works (5 simple steps)
Register — Share your Right to Work documents and basic details. It only takes a few minutes.
We set you up — We confirm details with your agency or client and provide your employment contract.
You work, we invoice — Your agency or client sends the approved funds to us.
We process PAYE — Tax, NI, apprenticeship levy and any agreed deductions are applied.
You’re paid — Your salary is sent to your bank, and your payslip appears in your portal.
Pay is typically weekly or monthly depending on what your agency or client uses.
What you receive through this setup
• Fast, dependable payments — Same-day processing once funds clear (cut-off applies)
• Full compliance — PAYE, RTI submissions, AWR considerations and GDPR covered
• Holiday pay — Clearly displayed and managed
• Pension auto-enrolment — Invitation sent when eligible, with freedom to opt in or out
• Statutory rights — SSP, SMP/SPP and Adoption Pay where eligibility is met
• Human support — Phone, email and chat with people who sort issues quickly
• One employer across many assignments — Continuous employment even when roles change
• Insurance requirements handled if your role needs specific cover
Your pay: what appears on your documents
Your payslip and remittance will show:
• total funds received from your agency or client
• employment costs (employer NI, apprenticeship levy, workplace pension contributions where applicable)
• our fixed margin
• your taxable pay under PAYE
• your take-home amount after tax, NI, student loans or court orders if relevant
Both the payslip and remittance clearly explain how the assignment funds were allocated.
Costs & transparency
• Straightforward flat margin, charged weekly or per payment, so you always know the cost
• No long-term commitments and no exit charges
• No unexpected add-ons — every cost is disclosed upfront
If you want the current margin and a breakdown of what’s included, just ask.
Frequently asked questions
Am I self-employed in this setup?
No. You’re employed by us and paid through PAYE.
Can I claim expenses?
Only in specific situations that meet HMRC criteria, such as certain qualifying travel and where Supervision, Direction or Control does not apply. Eligibility is assessed individually, so assume expenses aren’t permitted unless we confirm otherwise.
How does IR35 affect me?
Your IR35 status is set by your agency or end client for each assignment. This model is typically used for roles deemed inside IR35, and we follow the status determination provided.
Do I need a different provider for every contract?
No. You can use us as your employer across multiple assignments and agencies, which helps maintain continuous employment and consistent payslips.
How quickly will I be paid?
Once cleared funds reach us and your timesheet is approved, payment is processed the same day (subject to cut-off times).
Can I leave whenever I want?
Yes. There are no restrictions or penalties. We’ll close your account and issue final documents when you finish.
What we need to set you up
• Right-to-work documents and photo ID
• Address and bank details
• National Insurance number and tax code (if known)
• Assignment details from your agency or client (rate, hours, timesheet process)
• Information on any student loan or court order deductions (if applicable)
You’ll receive your employment contract and portal access once everything is in place. Your agency will provide a Key Information Document (KID) showing pay illustrations for your assignment.
Want to talk it through?
If you’re unsure whether this structure suits your role, we can walk you through pay examples, timelines and next steps in a matter of minutes.