Crest Plus awarded FCSA accreditation

Paul McDonnell, Director, said: “Becoming an FCSA Accredited Member is fantastic news for Crest Plus, our contractors and our recruitment agency partners, made all the sweeter as we mark our twentieth anniversary this year. Value, service and compliance has always been at the heart of our business and being part of FCSA is recognition that we are upholding the highest of industry standards.“For the last twenty years, our team has worked tirelessly to deliver quality services to the contractors and recruiters we work alongside, and they all deserve a pat on the back for helping us secure FCSA accreditation. We look forward to supporting FCSA with its excellent work in the years to come.

“FCSA accreditation reaffirms our position as one of the UK’s leading contractor payments companies, particularly in the construction industry. We were one of the country’s first Umbrella companies and since 1999 have processed 3 million payments to over 350,000 contractors and worked alongside more than 500 recruitment firms.”

FCSA’s chief executive, Julia Kermode: “FCSA accreditation is no easy process and I would like to congratulate the Crest Plus team for meeting the extremely high standards required to become a fully accredited member of FCSA. I know that Paul McDonnell, Val Lawton and everyone at Crest Plus are passionate about supporting the UK’s flexible labour market and provide a service that is second to none. I am delighted that they are now part of the FCSA organisation.”

FCSA accreditation demonstrates to our contractors and recruitment agency partners that we act both professionally and ethically within the UK tax, employment and regulatory laws. Coupled with financial stability tests, FCSA accreditation is proof that we take the lead in delivering the highest levels of industry standards. To achieve accreditation, we underwent an independent and rigorous assessment of business services, operations, policies and processes, to ensure adherence to FCSA’s exacting standards.

The FCSA is the leading professional membership body for umbrella employers and accountancy service providers supporting the financial affairs of professional contractors. FCSA exists to safeguard the long-term future of the professional freelance sector for the benefit of the UK economy, by promoting compliance and best practice in order to minimise risk in the supply chain.

Through its code of compliance, FCSA sets the standards for the service provider sector, and ensures that we, as an accredited member, operate legally, ethically, and manage all liabilities properly. We will be tested against the code annually and must pass in order to retain accreditation. The testing is carried out independently of FCSA by regulated accountants and solicitors, and a copy of the audit is submitted to HMRC so that they are aware of which firms are low risk.

By choosing to work with an FCSA Accredited Member, agencies, contractors and end-hirers can be assured of regulatory compliance and the highest possible ethical standards.