Steps To Accreditation

Pre-requisites for potential applicants

The scope of FCSA’s accreditation covers 3 types of business operation in the UK: umbrella employment, limited company advisor, and self-employed/CIS contractor provider.  In order to be eligible for FCSA Accreditation, all applicants must meet, and evidence, all of the following criteria:

• A minimum of 2 years successful operation and 1 year’s full audited accounts for the legal entity seeking accreditation
• A minimum of 75 contractors successfully supported by the service seeking accreditation
• Financial liquidity proven by net assets exceeding 2.5% of the gross profit.  

The above minimum criteria are essential for FCSA to be able to assess applicants’ business operations in practice, not just in theory. It is important to realise that FCSA Accreditation is not just a tick-box exercise.  

Due diligence checks

A Fit and Proper Person Form is required to be completed for each director of the business. Upon receipt of payment and the completed forms, the due diligence checks can be undertaken. Application for membership is to be made for all companies within the group that offer services falling within the scope of FCSA Accreditation, even if they are separate companies and/or are branded separately. Once the FCSA Chief Executive and its Board have approved the initial application, you will be invited to engage with an assessor.

The assessment process

In order to achieve FCSA Accreditation, applicants are independently audited against our published standards.  The process requires applicants to provide documentary evidence of how they adhere to each and every standard.  In addition to the paperwork element, assessors conduct in-depth site visits to the applicant’s business to interview their staff, test scenarios, undertake random audits, listen to on-boarding calls and ensure that all policies and procedures are being implemented in practice.

Choice of assessor

The applicant is asked to select an assessor for the accreditation compliance check process.  All FCSA Code assessors are either regulated chartered accountants or solicitors and have at least five years of demonstrable experience of specialising in the freelance sector. You can choose from the list below:

Financial Assessors

• BDO
• Ernst & Young
• Saffery Champness

Legal Assessors 

• Brabners
• Ernst & Young Law
• JMW Solicitors

All applications require the completion of the Mandatory Code of Compliance and therefore both financial and legal assessors are required.  The services you offer defines which other compliance codes you will be asked to complete. The cost of the application is the same whichever assessors you select. Upon payment to FCSA of the invoice, FCSA will ask the chosen assessor to commence the review.

The 3 stage review process

The review involves a 3 stage review process:

1. Self-assessment – the applicant is asked to answer a set of questions and provide all supporting documents requested. The assessor will then review all answers and documents.

2. Sampling – the applicant will need to provide the assessor with an anonymised list of workers and pick a sample for review. All requested documents for the sample must be provided.

3. Site visit – if your documents and sample pass the desk review, the assessor will visit your premises to interview key members of staff.

The decision

Once all their queries have been answered, your assessors will report their findings to FCSA.  You will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.