We're delighted to share that Riddingtons Payroll has once again been awarded FCSA accreditation, reconfirming our position as one of the UK's most trusted compliant payroll and CIS providers. For us, this isn't just an annual milestone. It's proof that the standards we set when we first achieved accreditation in 2022 haven't slipped and have been independently verified, year after year. Here's what the reaccreditation means, why it matters, and what it means for the contractors, agencies, and businesses who work with us.
We're proud to announce that Riddingtons Payroll has been reawarded accreditation by the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) — the UK's leading professional body for compliant payroll and contractor services.
This isn't our first time. We originally achieved FCSA accreditation in 2022, covering both our Umbrella and CIS models. Maintaining that accreditation year after year requires passing a rigorous independent audit every single time and that's exactly what we've done.
It's not a badge we display lightly. It's a standard we work hard to uphold.
The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) was established to raise compliance standards across the UK's professional employment services sector — which includes umbrella companies, CIS payroll providers, and contractor accountants.
FCSA accreditation is recognised as the industry's compliance gold standard, with annual assessments carried out independently by nationally renowned professional service firms. FCSA
The FCSA works closely with HMRC, the Department for Business, and leading industry trade bodies to develop its Codes of Compliance setting the benchmark for how payroll providers should operate ethically, legally, and transparently.
In a sector where non-compliance, tax avoidance schemes, and rogue umbrella operators continue to pose a real risk to workers and businesses alike, FCSA membership serves as a clear signal that a provider can be trusted.
This is where it gets important — because reaccreditation isn't a tick-box exercise or a simple renewal form.
FCSA accreditation is an incredibly involved process, and membership requires renewal by passing an annual audit to demonstrate that standards are being maintained. The process typically includes:
Self-assessment — A detailed questionnaire requiring documentary evidence across compliance, tax, legal, and operational practices.
Worker sampling — An independent assessor requests and reviews anonymised records for a sample of workers to verify correct tax treatment and documentation.
Site visit and staff interviews — The assessor visits the business and interviews key members of staff to verify that internal processes match what's claimed on paper.
Final determination — The assessor reports back to the FCSA, which makes the accreditation decision independently.
This rigorous assessment covers compliance codes and models across both Umbrella and CIS services — both of which Riddingtons holds accreditation for. That dual accreditation is relatively uncommon and reflects the breadth and depth of what we do. FCSA
If you're a contractor or freelancer using an umbrella or CIS payroll provider, the compliance credentials of that provider directly affect you.
Non-compliant payroll schemes — sometimes disguised as legitimate umbrella arrangements — can expose workers to unexpected tax liabilities, HMRC investigations, and in some cases, significant financial penalties. These aren't hypothetical risks. HMRC actively investigates the sector, and with the compliance landscape set to change dramatically from April 2026 — including Joint and Several Liability for PAYE and NICs in umbrella arrangements — recruitment agencies and end clients are under increasing pressure to ensure they only use FCSA-accredited providers on their preferred supplier lists.
Choosing an FCSA-accredited provider like Riddingtons means:
Recruitment agencies have long used FCSA membership as a key criterion when building their umbrella preferred supplier lists — and rightly so. With upcoming legislative changes placing greater liability on agencies for the tax compliance of their supply chain, ensuring only FCSA-accredited providers are included on preferred supplier lists is one of the most effective ways agencies can manage their due diligence obligations.
Working with Riddingtons gives agencies the confidence that their contractors are being paid compliantly, that deductions are handled correctly, and that the provider they've recommended will stand up to scrutiny.
At Riddingtons, we're dedicated to providing our clients with the highest standards of service in the CIS and payroll industry. Achieving reaccreditation isn't something that happens by chance — it's the result of consistent, daily commitment to doing things properly, across every contract, every payment, and every client relationship.
With over 50 years of combined experience in accountancy and tax, we're ideally positioned to guide contractors, agencies, and businesses through the complexities of payroll management — and our FCSA reaccreditation is the independent verification that our practices match that expertise.
We're proud of this achievement. More importantly, we're proud of what it means to the contractors and businesses who trust us with their payroll.
If you're currently working with a payroll provider and aren't sure whether they're FCSA-accredited, now is the time to find out. The FCSA maintains a public register of all accredited members at fcsa.org.uk — and Riddingtons is on it.
If you'd like to discuss how Riddingtons can support your payroll or CIS requirements, get in touch with our team today.
