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FAQs

From the list below choose one of our FAQs topics, then select an FAQ to read. If you have a question which is not in this section, please contact us.

In permanent employment it is the company that is liable for the Employer’s National Insurance contribution (NIC). Through an Umbrella Company, it is no different and the Employers NIC still needs to be paid on your assignment income. The rate you are offered to work through an Umbrella Company should be adjusted to allow for the fact.

This therefore needs to be taken into consideration when negotiating your pay rate with the agency or end client.

Employer’s NIC is calculated at 13.8% on earnings above £136 per week and is uncapped so, not taking into account any expenses or the margin that the Umbrella Company retains, this is the minimum uplift you would need on a permanent rate to achieve a similar net pay. As an example of this; you would need to negotiate £18.45 as the minimum hourly contractor rate to take home a similar net pay as a permanent member of staff earning £15.00 per hour.(This is only an example of rates).

You should be offered a higher rate, to have your pay processed through an Umbrella Company. The higher rate is offered if you are being paid through an Umbrella Company because they are liable to pay the contribution. Provided the rate offered is greater than 13.8%, you will be better off through an Umbrella Company because there are certain business expenses that you may be entitled to claim.

  • We will sign the contract between the agency/client as an Umbrella company on your behalf and grant you the contract of employment.
  • We then invoice the agency/client on receipt of authorised timesheets and expenses which you send to us by registering the details on DOTS fax, post, email or text. The invoice will then be prepared and sent to your agency/client on the same day we receive details of your timesheet.
  • Once we receive payment from the agency/client for the work you have completed, we will process your salary and expenses. This will then be paid by BACS the same day, with funds usually appearing in your account within two to three working days.
  • All administration/bookkeeping/accounts will be handled by us, allowing you to do what you do best…contracting.
  1. Topline Management Ltd, belongs to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, which means that you receive the best advice and guidance from your accountant to suit your needs.
  2. Topline Management Ltd’s Umbrella Service requires no joining fee, and no termination fee.
  3. You may no longer be required to fill in a self assessment tax return, as you will be regarded as an employee of our company.
  4. Umbrella service allows short-term contractors to avoid the financial burden of forming, then dissolving, a limited company.
  5. Allows you to focus on what you do best.

Whilst it is possible to transfer your net funds quickly using bacs or chaps transfers this can be unnecessarily expensive to your company as Internet banking is free. External transactions using Internet banking generally take between 2 and 3 working days, internal transactions tend to be much quicker generally not taking more than 24 hours.

  1. Complete and return the registration form and photocopy of identification
  2. For off the shelf companies Sign 288a form in the Consent signature box and return
  3. Enclose payment of £100.00 for set up and registration (make cheques payable to Top Line Management UK LTD)

Obviously the choice is yours!
In most cases it is likely that you have an ongoing relationship with your own bank, in which case you will need to contact them to arrange an appointment with your branch business manager. If you would like us to recommend a bank to you we feel more than happy to point you in the direction of HSBC as all of our clients that have selected their services have provided positive feedback.

  1. Register on our online portal Topline Management Ltd Online Timesheet System (DOTS) in three simple steps. Click here to register.
  2. Once you have found a contract which suits your skills, add the contract information onto the online portal (DOTS) e.g. hourly rates, start dates and end dates etc.
  3. An email is then automatically sent to your agency/client requesting a contract to be made between Topline Management Ltd and the agency/client naming you as the worker.
  4. Once everything has been approved and you begin working for your client you can then submit your weekly/monthly timesheets and expenses to us. Our texting service enables clients to submit timesheets and expenses via text message, click here for texting guide.
  5. Once we receive your timesheet, we invoice your agency on the same day and process your expenses.
  6. Once the agency/client has forwarded payment of our invoice to us, we will process your salary adjusting for all taxes, our fees and expenses. Your net pay is then sent on the same day via BACS, with funds usually appearing in your account within two to three working days.
  7. We send a payslip the next day, which details exactly how much you have been paid and taxed.
  8. There is a team here that want to help you, so if you have any questions they will be more than happy to help.