Should your firm register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)?

What are the new ACSP rules from Companies House?

The first thing to understand is what being an ACSP means you can or cannot do. Companies House have made it clear that:

"From early 2026 anyone who is in the business of forming companies, or filing on behalf of companies, will need to register with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)." Read more.

This means that if filing on behalf of your clients is a key part of what you do - the old way of doing things is coming to an end. With that in mind, let's explore the options for your firm.

Option 1: You decide not to register as an ACSP

The new ACSP rules introduce a higher level of compliance, so deciding not to register as an ACSP might be the right choice for your firm if you rarely or never file on behalf of your clients.

And for other firms, the higher level of compliance comes with the very real fear of getting it wrong and being blocked from filing. To avoid this risk, stepping away from the responsibility can feel like a sensible business decision.

But here’s the critical point: choosing not to register as an ACSP also means you will be blocked from filing on behalf of your clients from early 2026.

So, the main question is: do you want to continue filing for your clients? If the answer is 'no', or if you decide that registering as an ACSP is not the right path for your firm, it's important to understand what this choice means in practice.

1. A new responsibility your clients might not want

This path means you're handing over the full responsibility of filing to your clients. But is that a responsibility they want to take on?

Many clients see handling Companies House filings as a core part of the service they pay you for. If they are now faced with learning a new system and managing the process themselves, they may decide to work with an ACSP who is able to offer them that same service.

2. The hidden workload of guiding your clients

Even if you're no longer filing, your team will still be involved. You'll need to direct every client to the Companies House service and explain what they now need to do in order to verify themselves and file. Read more here.

It's worth considering that your operations and admin teams may spend more time answering questions about the GOV.UK One Login portal, or supporting clients who have trouble with their verification, or chasing them to act. The key difference is that your team will be supporting a process they don't control, which is an important factor when planning your resources.

Option 2: You decide to register as an ACSP

This is the path for firms that want to continue offering a complete, end-to-end filing service for their clients after early 2026.

Choosing to register means you can keep control over filing deadlines and maintain your role as a trusted partner for your clients. It does come with new responsibilities, but understanding them is the first step to managing them effectively.

What does registering as an ACSP involve?

At a high level, becoming an ACSP means you're agreeing to meet Companies House's new compliance framework. The process might seem daunting, but it can be broken down into three manageable phases:

1. First, you'll need to be eligible.
   Your firm must already be supervised for anti-money laundering (AML) by a recognised professional body, like the ICAEW or SRA. For most accountancy or law firms, this is likely already in place, but you can double-check the full list of Companies House approved supervising bodies here. The registration itself happens via your AML supervisor.

2. Next, you'll verify your own team.
   Before your registration is approved, all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) in your firm will need to complete an identity check to the new Companies House standard. Using a compliant identity verification provider is the most efficient route. The key here is ensuring your provider can meet the ‘Option 1’ standard, which involves technology that can validate the cryptographic features of an ID document. It's also worth thinking about how you'll manage this. A provider who can handle these checks in bulk will make this phase much smoother.

3. Then, you'll verify your clients.
   Once registered, you'll apply this same high standard to every client you file for. This brings up an important practical question: record keeping. The rules require you to keep copies of these verification documents for 7 years. You'll need a clear process for whether you manage this internally or if your provider can securely store these records for you in a way that's easy to access for audits.

What should ACSPs look for in an ID verification provider?

Your choice of provider can be the difference between a smooth compliance process and a new administrative headache. Here are a few considerations, whether applying these to your current provider, or if you’re exploring options:

• Does their technology meet the ‘Option 1’ standard?
  This is the most crucial question. The provider’s ID verification technology (IDVT) must be able to validate the cryptographic features of a document. (These are the unique security features embedded by the official issuer that prove a document is genuine.) It's also worth asking if this is a new feature for them or a core part of their service with a proven track record.

• What happens when your client needs help?
  Find out if they offer hands-on support directly to your clients, such as via phone, email, or chat. A great partner will handle client queries for you, freeing up your team to focus on their own work.

• What’s the process if a client takes too long to verify their identity?
  A key time-saving feature is whether the provider will proactively follow up with clients to ensure their checks get completed. This service alone can save your team a huge amount of administrative time.

• How seamless is the ID verification process for your client?
  The provider you choose is an extension of your firm's service, so the experience for your client should be smooth, with clear instructions.

• Is the final report always clear and usable?
  There’s nothing more frustrating than receiving a ‘completed’ check, only to find blurry images attached. A reliable provider will ensure the final report is always clear and complete, so you avoid having to go back to your client and ask them to do it all over again.

Making your decision

The new ACSP rules present a key strategic choice for your firm. Deciding not to register might mean stepping away from filing services and taking on a new role in guiding clients, which comes with its own hidden workload. Whereas choosing to register an ACSP allows you to maintain a core service and control over the process. But having the right technology and support in place to manage the new responsibilities smoothly will be key to remaining compliant.

Ultimately, by understanding the implications of these two distinct paths, you can make a confident, informed decision that best suits the future of your firm, your team, and the clients you serve.