ACSPs, are you meeting the Companies House ID verification standard?

Companies House has launched the Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registration service. Here’s the guidance you must be familiar with.

On 18 March 2025, Companies House launched the Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registration service.

AAT previously covered the impact of the implementation for ACSPs and what this means for AAT-licensed members in this article.

Since then, the ACSP registration has launched and with it came guidance published by Companies House:

• applying to register as a Companies House authorised agent  
• being an authorised corporate service provider  
• how to meet Companies House identity verification standard.

Separate standards

It is important that all firms acting as ACSPs familiarise themselves with the above guidance, paying particular attention to the identify verification standard.

That’s because this differs from the identify verification standard required for anti-money laundering purposes. There are also different record-keeping requirements in that identity verification documentation for ACSP purposes must be kept for seven years.

AAT is also aware that some applications for ACSPs have had to be rejected as the information provided by the application does not match the information held by AAT. As a reminder, if you do register as an ACSP and are an AAT licensed member with a firm supervised by AAT for AML purposes, you must provide your AAT membership number (not your licence number) when asked for your AML number.

AAT’s AML helpline

AAT’s AML helpline offers advice for AAT-supervised firms on all aspects of complying with the Money Laundering Regulations, such as advice on how to report suspected illegal activity. To discuss any questions you might have, call us on +44 (0)20 7367 1347 or email [email protected].

AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.