Does your limited company accountant need to be an ACSP?

If you use an accountant to look after your limited company’s affairs, you may have come across the term Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

Companies House introduced the new registration system in 2025, as part of a wider programme of changes designed to improve the accuracy of the company register and to reduce potential fraud.

But what exactly is an ACSP, does your accountant need to be registered, and does it make any difference to you as a company director?

What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?

An ACSP is a business or individual authorised by Companies House to provide certain services on behalf of other businesses.

The new system was introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Although accountants are among the main businesses affected, the rules also cover solicitors, company formation agents and other professionals who deal with Companies House on behalf of clients.

To qualify as an ACSP, a business must be supervised by a UK anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory body.

For example, an accountancy firm may be supervised by ICAEW, ACCA or HMRC, depending on its professional status and how it operates.

The firm must also register with Companies House, which can check whether it meets the relevant requirements.

You can read more in the official Companies House ACSP guidance.

Does my limited company accountant have to be registered?

Not necessarily, at least under the current rules.

As of October 2026, accountants only need to register as ACSPs if they want to verify their clients’ identities for Companies House.

An accountant can still prepare your annual accounts, run your payroll, handle Corporation Tax, and complete other routine accountancy tasks without ACSP registration.

However, in the future, any agents who submit filings to Companies House on behalf of their clients will need to register.

Importantly, accountants are not currently required to be registered as ACSPs.

Why does ACSP registration matter for identity verification?

Since 18 November 2025, company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) have been required to verify their identities with Companies House, subject to transitional arrangements for existing appointments.

Most contractors running their own limited companies can complete the process online using GOV.UK One Login.UK One Login.

However, if you’d rather have someone else handle the verification, your accountant may be able to do so.

Only an accountant or other agent registered as an ACSP can verify your identity on your behalf for Companies House.

Your accountant will need to check the required identity documents and follow Companies House’s verification standards.

Once the checks are complete, the accountant confirms the verification with Companies House.

Read more in our guide to mandatory identity checks for company directors.

Can I verify my identity myself instead?

Yes, absolutely, and many contractors we work with at IT Contracting have gone down the DIY route (including our own team).

You will need your ID to hand, such as a passport or another accepted photographic ID, such as a driving licence. If you can’t complete the ID check for any reason, alternative verification routes are available.

Once your identity is verified, Companies House will display a personal code that you will need for all future company appointments and filings.

If your accountant already deals with your Companies House submissions, you may need to provide them with this code.

You can verify your identity directly through Companies House.

How can I check if my accountant is an ACSP?

Companies House publishes an official list of Authorised Corporate Service Providers.

The list includes accountants, solicitors and other agents who have registered and agreed to have their details published.

However, the published list is not a complete register of every ACSP. Businesses can choose not to include their details, and Companies House does not update the list on a fixed timetable.

So, if your accountant doesn’t appear on the list, it doesn’t necessarily mean they haven’t registered. If you’d prefer a professional to help with your ID verification, ask your accountant whether they’re registered.

Companies House also publishes a separate list of ceased or suspended ACSPs, which is worth checking if you have concerns about a particular provider.

Does ACSP registration mean an accountant is trustworthy?

ACSP registration shows that a business has met Companies House’s requirements, but it says little about the quality of its accountancy services.

In particular, agents must be subject to UK anti-money laundering supervision, and Companies House can refuse applications or suspend or remove an agent’s status.

However, ACSP registration does not guarantee an accountant’s competence or quality of service.

Companies House specifically says that it does not endorse or recommend the businesses appearing on its ACSP list.

If you’re choosing a contractor accountant, you should still follow the well-testing steps to check their qualifications and reputation, experience, pricing, and what you get for your monthly fee.

Read our guides to accountant qualifications and red flags to look out for when choosing an accountant.

Will my accountant charge extra for ACSP services?

This all depends on the individual firm.

Companies House charges businesses to register as ACSPs, and accountants who offer identity verification may charge clients for carrying out the checks.

Some firms include verification in their standard accountancy packages, particularly for new clients setting up limited companies, while others charge extra.

If you’re setting up a new company, ask whether the initial package includes identity verification, along with company formation and registering your company as an employer for Corporation Tax, VAT, and any other taxes.

Obviously, if you’re happy to use the DIY method, there’s no point paying extra for an additional verification service.

What if my accountant isn’t registered as an ACSP?

You don’t need to worry if your accountant isn’t currently registered as an ACSP. Unless they are carrying out identity verification on your behalf, registration isn’t compulsory yet.

The rules will eventually apply to accountants who submit company filings for their clients, but you don’t need to take any action now.

Most specialist contractor accountants will be familiar with the changes and should be able to explain how they plan to handle the new requirements.