The earnings
The earnings model, explained in full.
Independent recruitment consultant earnings at 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 the large majority 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. For context on how agency splits typically work, see our commission splits guide.
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
What the same billing level pays, 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. See our guide on how the agency model erodes your split.
Tax and self-employment
What you pay HMRC as a self-employed consultant.
All earnings on this page are gross figures before personal tax and National Insurance. As a self-employed independent contractor, you’re responsible for your own tax affairs. Here’s what that involves. For the full picture, see our full tax guide for self-employed consultants.
Income Tax: You’ll pay Income Tax on your earnings above the personal allowance (currently £12,570 for the 2025/26 tax year). The rates are 20% (basic rate, £12,571 to £50,270), 40% (higher rate, £50,271 to £125,140), and 45% (additional rate, above £125,140). If you’re billing at the levels where Unknown Potential makes sense, you’ll likely be in the higher rate band for most of your earnings.
National Insurance: As self-employed, you pay Class 4 NI contributions on profits between £12,570 and £50,270 at 6%, and 2% above that. You may also pay a small amount of Class 2 NI if your profits exceed the Small Profits Threshold.
Self-assessment: You’ll file a Self Assessment tax return each year. The filing deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year (5 April). If you’re moving from employment, this is the biggest practical change to manage; the first payment can feel large because it covers two periods at once.
Getting an accountant: If you’re new to self-employment, getting an accountant is worth doing before you start. A good accountant who works with contractors and independent consultants will handle your filing, identify deductible expenses, and help you structure your payments on account. We have preferred suppliers and are happy to make introductions.
All tax thresholds and rates stated above are for the 2025/26 tax year and are subject to change. This is general information, not professional tax advice. Speak to a qualified accountant about your specific situation.
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. Or read more about what going independent actually involves.