An established umbrella
payroll company with you
at the heart of our business

We make your work and pay our priority so you can
focus on what matters to you.

Work smarter with
SmartWork

We are 100% compliant, reliable, honest, transparent,
and deliver best-in-class service.

Instant set-up and
support of a designated
business manager

We help you maximise your take home pay and ensure
you get paid correctly, on time, every time.

 

Maximise your take home pay

We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
Earning
£
EVERY
PAID
 
Calculate

YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME

We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
£
per week
£
per month
The calculations are for illustration purposes only and are based on a series of assumptions.
 

Maximise your take home pay

We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
Click here to use our Online Calculator

YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME

We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
£
per week
£
per month
The calculations are for illustration purposes only and are based on a series of assumptions.

The easiest choice for contractors

We help you with everything you need to focus on building your career and honing your skills.
New Contractors

An umbrella company that helps you get ahead

We take care of all your paperwork, income tax, National Insurance contributions, and HMRC payments, enabling you to scale new heights.

Switch to a hassle-free umbrella solutions provider

Need more from your umbrella company than what you are currently getting? Switching to SmartWork couldn’t be easier. The process takes less than 24 hours.
Switch to Smartwork

The easiest choice for contractors

We help you with everything you need to focus on building your career and honing your skills.
New Contractors

An umbrella company that helps you get ahead

We take care of all your paperwork, income tax, National Insurance contributions, and HMRC payments, enabling you to scale new heights.
Switch to Smartwork

Switch to a hassle-free umbrella solutions provider

Need more from your umbrella company than what you are currently getting? Switching to SmartWork couldn’t be easier. The process takes less than 24 hours.

Why Choose Us?

We offer a comprehensive range of contractor benefits, a designated business manager, and one of the highest-rated, fully compliant umbrella services in the UK. Whether you are a contractor or a recruiter, we are here to support you.
Learn More
Innovative, Customer-Centric Approach
Dedicated Business Managers
Your designated business manager is always there to guide you through your freelancing career.
Same-day Payments
Receive your pay the same day we receive it from your agency at no additional cost.
Secure Smart Portal
View payslips, submit timesheets, viewing your contracts, holidays, etc is easy to do with our smart portal.
100% Compliant & Accredited
As FCSA Accredited Members and APSCo Trusted Partners, we meet the highest industry standards.
Helpline to Support Your Career
Your designated business manager or our helpline is available five days a week to provide answers to your questions.
Instant Set-up
We can have you setup in as low as 15 minutes over the phone or online.
Cost-effective Service
At just £20 per week, with no setup or exit fees and zero hidden charges, we are one of the most cost-effective umbrella companies in the UK.
Insurance Cover Included
We cover your insurance needs by providing Public, Employer's and Products Liability, plus Professional Indemnity, and Medical Malpractice.
Contractor Specialist Mortgages
Our affiliate partners, Freelance Financials, have extensive experience in providing mortgages for umbrella employees.
Voluntary SIPP Contributions
Take control of your pension pot with voluntary contributions, arranged by our business partner Interactive Investor's Self-Invested Private Pension.
Referral Scheme
Our contractors receive £100 vouchers every time they successfully refer a friend to us,

Call SmartWork today on 0800 434 6446
Blog

Everything you need to navigate the world of contracting

The 2024 Autumn Budget: Key Takeaways and Implications for Umbrella Workers
On the 30th of October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the Autumn Budget, her first as the UK’s first female Chancellor of...
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What the New Employment Rights Bill Means for You as an Umbrella Employee
The Employment Rights Bill, introduced in Parliament on October 10, 2024, represents a significant step forward in the UK...
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SmartWork Partners with Interactive Investor to Bring Pension Benefits for Contractors Through SIPPs
We believe in helping our workers plan for the future, so we did some research into private pensions and their popularity in the UK....
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Navigating the Zero-Hours Contract Ban: A Guide for Recruitment Agencies
With a new government eager to portray itself as, in the words of Chancellor Reeves, “the most pro-growth, pro-business Treasury in...
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Continuity of Employment Benefits for Umbrella Contractors
Why Continuity of Employment Matters for Umbrella Contractors
As a contractor working through an umbrella company, the concept of continuity of employment is more than just a technical...
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Top Ten Umbrella Company Misconceptions Explained
If you are considering the option of becoming a contractor, one of the possible routes is working via an umbrella company. How and why...
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Understanding Holiday Pay for Umbrella Employees: What You Need to Know
They say working for an umbrella company is the same as any other employment. Well, yes and no, it is the same in some aspects, but it...
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Unlock Your Mortgage Potential as an Umbrella Company Contractor
As a highly skilled contractor operating through an umbrella company, you've adapted to the pressures of IR35; you’ve taken control...
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Spring Budget 2024 – Key facts and summary
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt disclosed the details of this year's Budget during his address in the House of Commons. This Budget is...
Read Article
Guides | Umbrella Pay and Deductions | Contracting Options | SmartWork
Umbrella Guide: Pension Contributions Explained
When you are in employment, especially when you are younger, retirement is a faraway concept we tend not to think about. Many,...
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Tax Codes Explained – Umbrella Contractor’s Guide | SmartWork
Understanding Tax Codes for Umbrella Employees
What are tax codes, and why are they important? In this guide, we will go through everything you need to know about those...
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Understanding IR35: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors
In this comprehensive guide, we aim to demystify IR35, a set of regulations that holds significance for contractors and those...
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Recruitment Agencies, Is It Time to Review Your PSL? | SmartWork
Recruitment Agencies, Is it Time to Review Your PSL?
Why review your PSL? Companies are criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by a staff member or other...
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How much tax do I pay as an umbrella worker?
If you are reading this article, there is a good chance you are one of the 2.2 million-strong freelance workforce in the UK. Umbrella...
Read Article
Umbrella Insurance Explained | Public Liability insurance | SmartWork
Umbrella Employment Guide – Insurance Explained
One of the benefits of contracting via an Umbrella company is freedom from admin, and that includes arranging insurance coverage....
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Unlocking the Benefits: Why Contractors Should Choose an Umbrella Company
In the dynamic world of contracting in the UK, making the right choices can significantly impact your career. One pivotal decision...
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Umbrella or Agency Paye – What are The Differences? | SmartWork
Umbrella or Agency PAYE – What are the differences?
Umbrella or Agency PAYE As a contractor, you may find that your assignment falls inside IR35. So, what options do you...
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The First-Timer’s Guide to Using an Umbrella Company
Understanding the Umbrella Company Concept Contracting through an umbrella company can be a smart move for independent professionals....
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tax return
Do I Need to Submit a Self-Assessment Tax Return if I Use an Umbrella Company?
What is Self-Assessment? Self-assessment is a system HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uses to collect Income Tax. Tax is usually...
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Reasons Your Net Pay Might Differ From Your Take-home Pay Illustration | SmartWork
Reasons Your Net Pay Might Differ from a Take-home Pay Illustration
It is important to remember that net pay illustrations are often based on assumed information. We do our best to be as accurate as...
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The SmartWork Service
Introduction When joining SmartWork, we become your employer, with the overall aim of keeping life as simple as possible for you and...
Read Article
What is SDC (Supervision, Direction, Control)? | SmartWork
What is SDC (supervision, direction, control)?
As of 6th April 2016, HMRC introduced new legislation that affects tax relief on expenses for umbrella employees.  The primary...
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What is FCSA and why our accreditation is important
As a freelance contractor, you have, at some point, looked at choosing the right umbrella company to work with. But with so many...
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The Mini Umbrella Company Scam – Choosing a Compliant Business for your Supply Chain
In the past few years, particularly since 2017, thanks to changes in the legislative environment, and of course, the pandemic, we've...
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Contractor’s Guide: Things To Consider When Choosing An Umbrella Company | SmartWork
Contractor’s Guide: Things to Consider When Choosing an Umbrella Company
In our previous guide, we talked about in what case you’d opt for going with an umbrella company so if you haven’t read it yet,...
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What is an Umbrella Company? | How Does It Work? | SmartWork
What is an Umbrella Company?
What is an umbrella company? The primary function of an umbrella company is to organise payments for fix-term work undertaken by...
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Contractor’s Guide to Umbrella Company Costs and Fees | SmartWork
Contractor’s Guide to Umbrella Company Costs and Fees
If you are new to freelancing and just researching umbrella companies, you may wonder why a margin is deducted from your pay. After...
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How Do Umbrella Company Salary Illustrations Work? Top Tips for When Shopping Around | SmartWork
How do umbrella company salary illustrations work? Top tips for when shopping around.
Umbrella companies are a popular choice for freelancers that want to have the ability to work on multiple assignments while enjoying...
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‘Key Information Document’ For Agency Workers
Introduction A new "Key Information Document" (KID) has been introduced from the 6th of April 2020, bringing extra work and...
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The Benefits of Working with SmartWork
When joining SmartWork, we become your employer with the overall aim of keeping life as simple as possible for you and ensuring you...
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The Grass isn’t Always Greener – Offshore Schemes and What to Avoid
Our employees or prospective clients often come to us, wondering why our figures don't match the improbable 95% retention rates...
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Non-compliant umbrella schemes and how to spot them
Since the off-payroll legislation reform hit i, we’ve seen the popularity of the umbrella company increasing. With that came a...
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Meet our Sales Manager – Neil Kane
Neil has over 14 years of experience within the industry and is always on hand to help support agencies and contractors...
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Umbrellas and the Nursing Agency VAT Concession: The Essentials
Since the IR35 reforms and the subsequent increase in the use of umbrella companies by NHS workers, there has also been a rise in...
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Disguised Remuneration – the April 2019 loan charge
Following our previous look at loan schemes and how these impact your choice of umbrella provider, the latest in this series looks at...
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SmartWork & iContract announce partnership
SmartWork is thrilled to be partnering with iContract, the new online platform connecting contractors and recruiters that has...
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The Criminal Finance Act – time to review your PSL?
From the 30th of September 2017, Companies will become criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by a member of their...
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3,500

CONTRACTORS & FREELANCERS ASSISTED

830

END CLIENTS/AGENCIES WORKED WITH

17,000

CONTRACT REVIEWS

300

CONTRACTOR QUERIES HANDLED PER WEEK
BENEFITS

Enjoy Your Contracting Journey with a Range of Benefits

From contractor specialist mortgages to financial advice and included insurance, we are continuously working on expanding the range of benefits our contractors enjoy while working with us.
Find out more
Excellent
TrustScore 4.8
SmartWork and their team were professional from the beginning. I changed umbrella companies after a contract, the engagement and setup process was seamless, and all information is on their easy to use portal. I was always paid on time without any issues. As a contractor within IR... Read More
John Baxter
I've had the pleasure of working with Smartwork on a number of assignments as a finance contractor. They are very professional and work efficiently to ensure payroll is processed on time every time. I'm really impressed with the service and wouldn't go anywhere else now that I've... Read More
Nazim Hussain
I joined SmartWork after they were recommended by my agency.
During the time I have been with this company, I have received excellent service, and would recommend them.
Pamela Dayes
I was a complete novice to Umbrella working but the team at SmartWork were very helpful at every stage. Their monthly fee looks a lot better than most Umbrella companies. SmartWork were also very helpful when I left their services (working outside IR35). Highly recommended!
Andy Jarvis
4.9 Stars
I used SmartWork for about 3 years and I only have positive things to say about them. The onboarding was very quick and simple, payroll super efficient, they were great at advising me on various salary / tax / pension variables, extremely responsive to questions. Would recommend ... Read More
David Whippe
I cannot recommend SmartWork enough. Smooth on boarding, superb portals, and when they say something will happen it does. Brilliant account manager appointed to - who really responds to questions promptly ensuring you feel valued and safe. Fantastic experience.
David Moore-Bannon
I am a contractor and used SmartWork for over a year. They have been a fantastic umbrella body - quickly fixing any problems and paying me on time. My agent Neil Kane has been extremely proactive, responsive and helpful. Further the current pension offer by SmartWork is decent. I... Read More
Lara Hayes
I received a great service from SmartWork I have used several other umbrella companies in the past and these guys are definitely top of my list should I need their services again. Very friendly prompt payments and excellent communication.
Stuart Senior

I used SmartWork’s Umbrella services for the past year, and have had nothing but wonderful service from them. From initial setup to the occasional question I had from time to time, the team were always easy to contact and happy to help. Payments were always very prompt and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to operate through an Umbrella.”

Lead Business Analyst

SmartWork has been amazing for the past 16 months. Even during the COVID crisis I could expect a timely response from the team and no interruptions to their service. Far better than my previous provider in both customer service and value for money. I’m sure I’ll be back if/when the need arises.”

Project Manager