Question 1

How is Kova different from an umbrella company?

Accepted Answer

Kova is a direct engagement platform, not an intermediary. Workers are engaged by your agency, not by us. You retain the relationship, the data, the margin and the cashflow. We provide the operating layer — onboarding, payroll, compliance and reporting — for a flat weekly fee per worker.

Question 2

Who handles PAYE, CIS and statutory deductions?

Accepted Answer

Deductions are processed at source on every pay run. PAYE and NI are calculated and paid to HMRC, CIS verification and deductions are handled for construction workers, and apprenticeship levy and pension contributions are tracked alongside.

Question 3

How does Kova handle IR35?

Accepted Answer

Status determinations sit inside the platform with a complete audit trail per assignment. Determinations, evidence and recipient communications are stored against the worker record so you can demonstrate reasonable care if challenged.

Question 4

What about AWR (Agency Worker Regulations)?

Accepted Answer

AWR clocks start from week one of each assignment. The platform tracks qualifying weeks, parity entitlements at week 12, and surfaces the workers approaching threshold so you can act ahead of time, not after.

Question 5

How are Right to Work checks done?

Accepted Answer

Digital RTW checks are built into onboarding — share-code verification for eligible workers, document capture and IDVT for others, with results stored against the worker record and re-check reminders before expiry.

Question 6

Do workers get a payslip and visibility?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every worker has a mobile app with itemised payslips, contracts, timesheets and compliance documents. There are no opaque deductions and no chasing — workers always know what they're being paid and why.

Question 7

What does Kova cost?

Accepted Answer

A flat, predictable weekly fee per worker. No percentage uplifts, no margin retained inside the chain, no surprises. We model the exact number against your current arrangement in the demo.

Question 8

How long does it take to onboard an agency?

Accepted Answer

Most agencies are live within two to four weeks. We migrate worker records, mirror existing pay structures and run a parallel pay run before switching over so there's no disruption to workers.

Question 9

Is Kova suitable for construction (CIS) workforces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CIS verification, deductions and CIS300 returns are handled inside the platform alongside PAYE, mixed cohorts included.

Question 10

Where is worker data held?

Accepted Answer

All data is stored in the UK on infrastructure compliant with UK GDPR. Workers and your agency retain control — Kova does not sell, share or onward-process data.

Compliance without the bureaucracy.