Trusted Partner Due Diligence

APSCo's Trusted Partner status brings a huge benefit to all members. With this level of due diligence, we can be sure all service providers who are members of APSCo are best of breed and represent the gold standard of recruitment suppliers. 

Stage 1

To be awarded Trusted Partner status, service providers must undertake the following:

  • Company Questionnaire: a detailed questionnaire which focuses on the organisation’s client and customer care, service provision and its focus on quality and expertise.
  • Agree to the following declaration: as a Trusted Partner, I will always act in the interest of the staffing industry, demonstrating a professional, ethical, and compliant approach. I will not bring APSCo or APSCo members into disrepute and will always abide by the APSCo Trusted Partner Code of Conduct and Rules of Membership as revised from time to time.  
  • Agree to the APSCo Code of Conduct: which can be viewed here.
  • Provide 10 references: all references need to be provided with a contact name, company name, telephone number and email address.

Stage 2

  • Company Check: APSCo undertakes a company check to check solvency, Directors’ history and whether the company has any County Court Judgements (CCJs).

Additional Requirements for UK Umbrella Companies

  • Further references: provide 20 references in total, instead of the 10 that are required for non-umbrella companies. All references need to include a contact name, company name, telephone number and email address.
  • Annual compliance audit: undertake an annual compliance audit by either Saffery Champness, FCSA or Professional Passport.
  • Trading history: at point of application for membership, two years’ full trading through the legal entity seeking membership – i.e., a minimum of one year’s audited accounts and one year’s management accounts available to our assessors. 
  • Fit and proper self-certification: annually provide self-certification and declaration from group company directors/key shareholders holding more than 25% and those with managerial decision-making authority and details and process flow of general referral schemes offered to recruiter clients.

Further information on the APSCo Trusted Partner Compliance assessment can be found here.

Additional Requirements for International Management and Payroll Suppliers

  • Annual international compliance questionnaire and assessment - by specialist Trusted Partner. 
  • Trading history - at point of application for membership, two years' full trading as an international payroll organisation through the legal entity seeking membership - i.e., a minimum of one year's audited accounts and one year's management accounts available to our assessors. 
  • Fit and proper self-certification -  annually provide self-certification and declaration from group company directors/key shareholders holding more than 25% and those with managerial decision-making authority and details and process flow of general referral schemes offered to recruiter clients.

To maintain Trusted Partner status

APSCo will carry out annual checks and as part of that process requires the Trusted Partner to: 

  • Provide five updated testimonials: all testimonials need to be provided with contact name, company name, telephone number and email address. A selection of testimonials will be verified by APSCo.  
  • Company Questionnaire: a detailed questionnaire which focuses on the organisation’s client and customer care, service provision and its focus on quality and expertise to ensure we retain up to date information.
  • Agree to the following declaration: as a Trusted Partner, I will always act in the interest of the staffing industry, demonstrating a professional, ethical and compliant approach. I will not bring APSCo or APSCo members into disrepute and will always abide by the APSCo Trusted Partner Code of Conduct and Rules of Membership as revised from time to time. 
  • Agree to the APSCo Code of Conduct which can be viewed here.
  • Company Check: APSCo undertakes a company check to check solvency, Directors’ history and whether the company has any CCJs.

Only when all stages are complete will the member be awarded Trusted Partner status. If you have any questions about the process for Trusted Partners please speak to your Account Manager. You can also find our Trusted Partner directory here.

If you are interested in becoming a Trusted Partner please contact the membership team through the form below.