terminology or real problem?

[Contreras]

Agency gives you a decent IR35-friendly contract. Then someone at agency's accounts says that something or other has to be approved by "your line manager". Do you:
shut up and carry on?
reply that you don't have one?
say "that must be me, I'm the director"?

ISTM that you either step into D&C, or annoy the crap out of the people who process your payments by consincing them that your head is up your arse, or take the piss and not get paid.

This is just a telephone or email conversation with agency back-office staff, right? I'd go with option 1: "shut up and carry on", anything else is going to confuse them.

What matters more is how the "line manager" sees themselves, and you, and how they would respond to a few leading questions from HMRC.

[Ignis Fatuus]

What, so you expect an additional expense doesnt need client sign off?

I think you know it has to be signed off by someone at the client. As for the agent saying 'line manager,' so what? Its only semantics at the end of the day.

I believe that I said exactly the opposite: that of course the client has to approve an expense, I am not questioning that. What I did question was the use of the term "line manager".

I do take your point that it's only semantics. But then so is "employer"/"client".

[BolshieBastard]

I believe that I said exactly the opposite: that of course the client has to approve an expense, I am not questioning that. What I did question was the use of the term "line manager".

I do take your point that it's only semantics. But then so is "employer"/"client".

I dont see why you are making an issue of the agent saying 'your line manager.' What the agent says is worth frack all. What matters is your contract and working practices.

Even if you do get investigated for IR35, the client will call whoever is immediately above you on the organisation chart your 'line manager \ manager.'

[Ignis Fatuus]

I dont see why you are making an issue of the agent saying 'your line manager.' What the agent says is worth frack all. What matters is your contract and working practices.

Even if you do get investigated for IR35, the client will call whoever is immediately above you on the organisation chart your 'line manager \ manager.'

Yes, I suppose that's so.