Hello from CMR(D)

Another month done, so that can only mean another Monthly Matters drop into your inbox.

And May was a bit different at CMR HQ. As some will know, the name CMR comes from my three children’s initials.

I’m delighted to say Baby Bramhall number four has now arrived, which might make the CMR name slightly more complicated. But while life at home has changed again, the market hasn’t exactly paused.

Even with part-time paternity leave, the conversations coming through the team have been some of the most useful we’ve had this year.

So, this month’s issue is a read on what we’re seeing now. What’s moving, changing and stalling.

And it marks a first for too – we have our first ever guest contributor! Dolan Accountancy’s Operations Director, Lauren Monks, gives us a run down on the impact of MTD on the freelance market (thanks for getting involved Lauren)/

Let’s go!

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JSL: Plenty of noise, but where’s the volume?

JSL has been live long enough now for me to ask this.

Where has the volume actually gone?

HMRC referenced hundreds of thousands of workers engaged through non-compliant umbrella models.

The assumption across the market was fairly simple.

Once JSL landed, those models would become too risky, agencies would tighten up, and more of that volume would move into the compliant umbrella market.

That was the theory. But is that what’s actually happened in practice?

Some people are saying they haven’t seen the movement at all. Others are saying volume is starting to trickle across.

In the background, new models are still appearing, dressed up with new ways of making the risk look cleaner than it really is. That’s the bit I keep coming back to.

If non-compliant models were already risky before JSL, but agencies still used them, then what really changes unless enforcement changes too?

That’s not me dismissing JSL. Something was needed. It has made legitimate operators look again at process, compliance and risk.

In June, we’re hosting two roundtable sessions on this topic, one in Manchester and one in London, with My Digital, SafeRec and Brabners.

There are only a few spaces left. Don’t miss out if you’re not booked on.

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Guest Talk: Making Tax Digital: What Contractors, Freelancers and Landlords Need to Know. Lauren Monks, Dolan Accountancy.

HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) is now in force, with millions of self-employed individuals and landlords set to be affected over the next three years.

According to HMRC estimates, approximately 2.9 million taxpayers will eventually fall within the scope of MTD by 2028. For businesses operating within the contractor, freelancer and umbrella payroll sectors, the impact will be significant.

Who Will Be Affected?

The rollout will happen in stages:

From April 2026

Individuals with qualifying gross income over £50,000 will be required to comply with MTD requirements.

This first phase is expected to affect approximately 864,000 individuals, including:

• 605,000 self-employed individuals
• 118,000 landlords
• 141,000 taxpayers with both self-employment and rental income

From April 2027

The threshold reduces to £30,000, bringing a further 1.077 million taxpayers into scope.

From April 2028

The threshold falls again to £20,000, impacting an additional 975,000 individuals.

Importantly, the thresholds apply to gross income, not profit, from self-employment and property income combined. PAYE salary and pension income are excluded from the calculation.

What Does MTD Mean in Practice?

Under the new rules, affected taxpayers will need to:

• Register for Making Tax Digital
• Maintain digital accounting records
• Use HMRC-compatible software
• Submit quarterly updates to HMRC
• Complete an end-of-year final declaration

While the objective is to modernise the UK tax system and improve reporting accuracy, the reality is that many contractors, freelancers and landlords will face a considerable increase in administrative responsibility.

For busy professionals already balancing projects, contracts and compliance obligations, quarterly reporting could become both time-consuming and confusing without the right support.

A Growing Opportunity for the Industry

The introduction of MTD also creates opportunities for payroll providers, umbrella companies, recruiters and accountancy partners to add further value to their client relationships.

Many contractors and landlords will actively seek guidance as the deadlines approach, particularly those unfamiliar with digital bookkeeping requirements.

We are already supporting landlords through partnerships with several lettings agents and expect demand for advisory support to continue growing as implementation dates move closer.

Preparing Early Is Key

Although the first phase began in April 2026, now is the ideal time for affected individuals and businesses to begin preparing.

Early adoption of compliant software and professional support will help minimise disruption and avoid last-minute compliance challenges.

If you would like to discuss how MTD could affect your clients, contractors or landlord portfolio, or if you need support from an experienced and approachable accountancy team, we would be delighted to help.

Lauren Monks, Operations Director at Dolan Accountancy

Do contact Lauren and the team if you need to discuss MTD. Her email address is lauren.monks@dolanaccountancy.com or call 01442 795 200.

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Jade’s Desk update

Hi, I’m Jade Dunne and I head up the Suppliers Desk here at CMR.

Honestly, the desk feels so alive at the moment, and it’s a really exciting time! Here’s what I’m seeing:

• Cloud-based payroll and finance software is driving strong hiring demand across software sales, implementation, customer success, and finance transformation
• AI-driven tools that improve reporting, streamline processes, and reduce manual workload are accelerating that further
• Advisory-led services are increasingly valued. Clients want strategic support around compliance, forecasting, and process improvement, not just a transactional supplier
• Finance and technology crossover roles are in high demand, with professionals who combine financial expertise with systems and digital transformation experience hard to find
• The market remains active despite wider uncertainty. Businesses are still investing in solutions that improve operational performance and support long-term growth

If you’re looking to grow your team, discuss the market at the moment, or are interested in joining the world of suppliers, just drop me a message jade@cmrjobs.co.uk.

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The horizon: accountancy demand is building

Our accountancy desk has been busier than ever.

While I’ve been on paternity leave, we’ve had new and existing practices come to us with audit roles, alongside the usual demand for junior, semi-senior and senior accountants.

That demand isn’t coming from nowhere. Recent market data puts the UK accounting services market at around £30bn, with firms outside the Big Four continuing to show strong fee income growth.

Practices have done a great  job of making themselves more important to business owners. The role has moved beyond year-end accounts and tax returns, with more firms positioning themselves around fractional FD support, insight, better reporting and business planning.

That changes the hiring requirement.

Modern practices need more than technical accountants. They need people who can manage clients, think commercially and help shape the business, not just service the work.

If your practice is growing and the team structure needs to catch up, speak to Will Henderson

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Final Thoughts

H2 steps a little closer and the market is still shifting.

The noise around JSL has dropped, but the harder questions are still there. Has behaviour changed? Has volume moved? Are compliant operators seeing the benefit, or just carrying more of the cost?

Across umbrella and accountancy, businesses are having to think more carefully about the people behind the process. Not just who can sell, file, process or deliver, but who can help the business stand up properly as the market gets more demanding.

Thanks again to Lauren for this month’s MTD contribution. And if you’re keen to get involved with the next issue, get in touch with me.