{"id":26671,"date":"2025-08-05T07:16:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T06:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/?p=26671"},"modified":"2025-12-19T12:12:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T11:12:59","slug":"new-compliance-rules-are-here-why-you-might-need-to-register-as-an-acsp-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/new-compliance-rules-are-here-why-you-might-need-to-register-as-an-acsp-now\/","title":{"rendered":"New Compliance Rules Are Here: Why You Need to Register as an ACSP Now\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A quiet but major shift has taken place at Companies House, and it affects nearly every accountancy firm in the UK.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), firms that file documents on behalf of clients or want to carry out identity verification (IDV) will need to register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs). This rule has come into effect from 18 November 2025.<\/span><\/p>

This change affects everyone handling company filings or client onboarding, irrespective of whether you’re a sole trader or a small practice. And being late or getting it wrong can cost your firm time, clients and credibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Is an ACSP & Why Does It Matter <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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An ACSP is a firm that is authorised to carry out identity verification or file certain documents with Companies House on behalf of clients.<\/span><\/b> This includes confirmation statements, incorporation documents and other statutory filings.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Before late 2025, anyone could file company documents for clients using their agent credentials. But that has now changed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Starting 18 November 2025, only registered <\/span>ACSPs<\/span><\/a> are able to conduct identity verification. Starting 2026, ACSP registration is required for all agents filing on behalf of clients. So even if you’re not offering identity verification, you need to register just to continue doing what you already do.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But here’s where it gets urgent.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Companies House now has more power to reject suspicious filings, and it’s already doing so. Over 14,000 filings have been blocked since the new rules began rolling out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to Register as an ACSP (and Common Pitfalls) <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Registering as an ACSP is fairly straightforward. The process begins with proving that your firm is supervised by a UK anti-money laundering (AML) body.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Just being a member of a professional body isn’t enough. You must be AML-supervised as a firm.<\/span><\/p>

Once you have confirmed that your firm is supervised, you will need to provide accurate information during the ACSP registration.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Here’s what you need to submit.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>