The earnings
The earnings model, explained in full.
85% of gross profit. No thresholds, no tiers, no conditions. Here’s exactly how the numbers work, with real placement examples.
How it works
You keep the substantial majority of what you bill.
When you bill through Unknown Potential, you receive 85% of your gross profit — the Net Fee Income after any rebates or credits related to a placement. Paid weekly, in arrears, on a paid-when-paid basis.
The platform fee covers everything Unknown Potential provides: technology, compliance infrastructure, finance and back-office support, and brand collateral. It is deducted from your gross profit before you’re paid — not an additional charge on top.
There are no salary thresholds to clear before earnings kick in. No tiered splits that change the percentage at different billing levels. What you bill drives what you earn, straightforwardly, every week.
The earnings table
What your billings translate to.
Based on current platform terms. Gross earnings before personal tax, National Insurance, and any running costs you incur.
| Your annual billings | Your gross earnings |
|---|---|
| £80,000 | £68,000 |
| £100,000 | £85,000 |
| £150,000 | £127,500 |
| £200,000 | £170,000 |
| £250,000 | £212,500 |
| £300,000 | £255,000 |
| £400,000 | £340,000 |
Based on current platform terms. Gross earnings before personal tax, National Insurance, and personal running costs.
Real examples
How a placement actually pays out.
Permanent placement
You place a candidate on a £60,000 salary at 20%. That’s a £12,000 placement fee.
| Placement fee | £12,000 |
| Gross profit | £12,000 |
| Your earnings | £10,200 |
| Platform fee | £1,800 |
Contract placement
£500/day charge, £350/day pay. £150/day margin over 60 days. 5% rebate agreed with client.
| Gross margin (£150 × 60) | £9,000 |
| Rebate (5%) | −£450 |
| Gross profit after rebate | £8,550 |
| Your earnings | £7,267.50 |
| Platform fee | £1,282.50 |
A note on the numbers
How gross profit is calculated.
Gross profit — sometimes called Net Fee Income (NFI) — is the money received from a placement after any rebates or credits that relate to that deal.
For a permanent placement, it’s the fee you charge the client, minus any agreed rebate or replacement obligation.
For a contract placement, it’s the margin between what you charge the client and what you pay the contractor, calculated over the contract period, minus any agreed rebates.
Your earnings are calculated on gross profit, not on the gross invoice value. This is standard across the industry and means the percentage you receive is applied to the real money the placement has generated.
What you pay
Your typical running costs as an independent consultant.
As a self-employed consultant, you pay your own tax, National Insurance, and any personal costs not covered by the platform.
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | Deducted from earnings | Covers the full platform: technology, compliance, finance, back office, brand |
| AI usage | £0–£75/month | Passed through at cost. Capped monthly |
| LinkedIn licence | £80–£150/month | You choose your LinkedIn product. We provide integrations |
| Job boards | £0–£400+/month | Only if you run paid advertising. You choose; we provide integrations |
| Accountancy/tax | £50–£200/month (optional) | Preferred suppliers available. Your choice |
| Legal/professional | Variable | Only when relevant. Preferred suppliers available |
No setup fees. No desk fees. No onboarding costs.
When you get paid
Weekly. Paid when paid.
Earnings are paid weekly in arrears, once the client has paid the invoice. Credit control and payment chasing is handled by the platform.
Your responsibilities
You operate as self-employed.
All earnings are gross before personal Income Tax and National Insurance. You are responsible for your own tax affairs. Preferred accountancy suppliers available.
The comparison
The same billing level — employed versus independent.
Billing £150,000 a year. Here’s what you receive under typical agency terms versus working independently.
| Employed (25% split after threshold) | Independent (85% gross profit) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross billing | £150,000 | £150,000 |
| Your share before tax | ~£37,500 | £127,500 |
| Approximate take-home | ~£28,000–£32,000 | ~£78,000–£82,000 |
Employment figures assume a base salary of ~£35,000–£45,000 OTE and a 25% commission split after threshold. Tax calculations are approximate and illustrative only. All figures gross before running costs. Actual figures depend on individual circumstances.
Ready to talk numbers?
Book a conversation. We’ll work through your numbers with you.
Every consultant’s situation is different. The quickest way to understand what the move would mean for you financially is a direct conversation. No commitment, no pressure.