Reply to: Clarity Umbrella - what's going on?

[Ketto]

And to not have it in these circumstances i.e. unannounced ownership change, move to offshore, loss of FCSA accreditation, getting flamed on main IT contractor forum with virtually no response. I wouldn’t use them again based on this and as things stand wouldn’t be able to do my usual “try Clarity” line whenever someone asks me for brolly recommendation. Such a shame.

[Protagoras]

I think that there's one assumption that could reasonably be made; where an umbrella company lacks FCSA accreditation it will be a challenge to attract new customers.

[agentzero]

I found out about Clarity from one of my accountants. I work abroad often and have different accountants for different contracts, as one includes a tax cross border tax accountant.

The FCSA has contacted big agencies to tell them about the removal of Clarity and other linked umbrellas from their FCSA membership scheme. All I know is that these agencies told both accounting firms I use, because they both told me. I had recommended using Clarity based on views and Lucy's posts here. So I don't use them but know people who do and therefore feel some responsibility. The trusting responses in this thread I have found weird and am on the side of the responses echoing loss of trust.

HTH

[WTFH]

Never used any previous usernames. Used VPN endpoints from a well known VPN provider, do a DNS lookup to confirm this with the IPs you suggest, it's mostly an IT contractor forum after all.

As mentioned in the "state of the market" thread, I work outside contracts only, never via an agent, and don't work inside ir35. That's why my username is agentzero.

Slightly odd that someone who claims to work outside contracts only with your claimed experience is using an umbrella company and not working through their own Ltd.

[agentzero]

Never used any previous usernames. Used VPN endpoints from a well known VPN provider, do a DNS lookup to confirm this with the IPs you suggest, it's mostly an IT contractor forum after all.

As mentioned in the "state of the market" thread, I work outside contracts only, never via an agent, and don't work inside ir35. That's why my username is agentzero.

[WTFH]

Look at my posting history.

Do we include the other usernames you have used in the past?

[agentzero]

Look at my posting history. I never recommend umbrellas and won't. Whether you are on weekly or monthly billing today is timesheet dead line afternoon. The only reason anybody found out about this is because the FCSA has phoned big agencies to inform them Clarity and the other 3 listed umbrellas have been removed from their scheme because the parent company is based out of Cyprus.

I won't be recommending any umbrella companies and think most could disappear speedily, I trust them as far as I could throw them.

[sadkingbilly]

WHY is agentzero so incensed about this?
I suspect a vested interest.
just sayin' like.

[agentzero]

Why wouldn't they jump? What have they got to lose? If their end client is public sector are you suggesting a parent company in Cyprus is ok and business as usual?

Some contractors here are quite frankly idiots and have missed warning signs before with accountant firms, umbrellas, there's even a few watch list threads for dodgy activity. Why risk your pay, including if you are paid monthly? Sorry, there are too many red flags for most sensible people. One thing not lacking is plenty of long established UK based umbrellas companies to choose from.

[Protagoras]

It's the end of month timesheet time for many contractors with Clarity. I assume those aware aren't submitting their timesheets using Clarity? Won't contracts with Clarity be ended and contractors moving to other Umbrella companies ASAP?

Why would anyone who has been paid as expected over the past 6 months jump ship based on the limited information here?

[agentzero]

It's the end of month timesheet time for many contractors with Clarity. I assume those aware aren't submitting their timesheets using Clarity? Won't contracts with Clarity be ended and contractors moving to other Umbrella companies ASAP?

[Nothing to see here]

Ok, sounds like something is up.
Call me old fashioned, but i've always believed that Lichtenstein is best for "offshore shenanigans"?

Famously landlocked Lichtenstein?

Isle Of Man for me.

[courtg9000]

Ok, sounds like something is up.
Call me old fashioned, but i've always believed that Lichtenstein is best for "offshore shenanigans"?

[Nothing to see here]

Another 3 owned by the same outfit have also been removed. Payments Pro, i4 and Numbermill. Something big is going on.

[agentzero]

Contacted the FCSA. Clarity have been removed in the last 48 hours from the FCSA website and have had their registration and accreditation revoked:

https://www.fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/clarity-umbrella/

Compare to web archive to see previous membership information.

Still, nothing to worry about according to one mod here, so if you like high risk carry on regardless.

lucyclarityumbrella couldn't be more disappointed in the way you haven't handled this, just let it happen. There were other options for your business and you know it.