What Is an ACSP?

As part of the UK government’s ongoing reforms to improve corporate transparency and fight economic crime, a new role has been introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act: the Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP. This new category affects how company information is submitted to Companies House and applies to firms that provide company formation and filing services on behalf of others.

With the introduction of ACSPs, the responsibilities placed on professionals filing information on behalf of limited companies are increasing. Whether you are forming a new company, filing a confirmation statement or updating shareholder details, working with a provider that understands these new rules is essential. Our limited company accountants are fully up to speed with ACSP regulations and can handle all filings on your behalf with complete accuracy and compliance. We ensure your company data is correct, your filings are submitted on time, and your business meets all new identity verification requirements set by Companies House.

In this article, we explain what an ACSP is, who needs to register, and what the new rules mean for businesses and agents offering corporate services in the UK.

What Is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider is a firm that has been approved to deliver services directly to Companies House on behalf of their clients. This includes company formation, filing confirmation statements, changing company details, and more.

From 2024, only authorised providers will be allowed to file on behalf of third-party companies through Companies House. This means any firm or individual that offers corporate services will need to become an ACSP if they wish to continue filing company information for clients.

Why Are ACSPs Being Introduced?

The role of ACSPs is part of wider reforms introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. These reforms are designed to:

• Strengthen the accuracy and integrity of information on the public register

• Prevent misuse of UK company structures for fraud, money laundering or other financial crimes

• Ensure that only verified and supervised professionals submit filings to Companies House

By limiting access to company filing services, the government aims to increase transparency and reduce abuse of the system.

Who Can Become an ACSP?

To become an ACSP, you must be:

• Supervised for anti-money laundering (AML) purposes under the Money Laundering Regulations

• Acting in the course of business as a company formation agent or corporate service provider

• Able to verify the identity of clients and meet Companies House requirements

Eligible entities include accountants, solicitors, and company secretarial firms already regulated by professional bodies such as the ICAEW, ACCA, Law Society, or other AML supervisory authorities.

How Do You Register as an ACSP?

To become an ACSP, you must apply directly to Companies House and provide:

• Proof of AML supervision

• Details about your business structure

• Contact information for responsible individuals

• A declaration that you understand and will comply with ACSP requirements

Once approved, you will be issued with a unique ACSP ID and must use this when filing on behalf of clients.

What Are the Responsibilities of an ACSP?

As an ACSP, you must:

• Verify the identity of clients and beneficial owners

• Keep records of checks and provide them to Companies House or regulators on request

• Only submit filings for clients whose identities have been verified

• Follow all AML and data protection regulations

• Report any suspicious activity if required under AML rules

Companies House will rely on ACSPs to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the information being submitted.

What Happens If You Are Not an ACSP?

If your firm provides corporate services but is not registered as an ACSP, you will no longer be able to file company information on behalf of clients. Your clients would need to file documents themselves or work with a verified provider.

Continuing to file without proper authorisation could lead to penalties, removal of access to Companies House filing services, or further regulatory consequences.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of Authorised Corporate Service Providers is a major shift in how company filings are managed in the UK. It places more responsibility on service providers and creates a verified chain of trust between companies, agents and the public register.

If you are an accountant, company formation agent, or adviser who submits documents on behalf of clients, it is essential to understand the new rules and register as an ACSP. Taking early action will ensure continued access to Companies House services and demonstrate your commitment to transparency and compliance.

For smaller businesses and single-director companies, navigating these new compliance standards can feel overwhelming, especially if you have always relied on others to handle filings. Our small company accountant service is designed to keep things simple. We make sure your company records stay up to date, help you understand what ACSPs mean for your business, and act as your point of contact for all Companies House filings. Whether your company is trading actively or operating on a smaller scale, we provide dependable support to keep you compliant under the new rules.

Unsure what to file, when to file it or how to stay compliant? Our Companies House Help hub walks you through it all.

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