Sometimes - especially after the IR35 misery - an agent might also come with an umbrella company that will readily employ you for the duration of your contract for a cut. People usually tended to avoid these solutions due to tax inefficiencies. Not everyone though, I knew some people who chose comfort and didn't want to deal with the admin of an LTD and constant invoicing (however small inconvenience that might be), so they just went with the umbrella. I presume this is now a much more popular solution... An umbrella can also be provided by your accountant.