Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are regulated professionals who play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the UK's corporate system. In this article, we will explore what ACSPs are, their responsibilities, and why they are essential for business owners navigating company registration and compliance.
What Is An ACSP
Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are individuals or organisations that carry out activities regulated under anti-money laundering (AML) rules. Examples include:
- Accountants
- Company formation agents such as Easy Digital
- Solicitors
- Governance professionals
There are over 1,300 ACSPs operating in the UK - 1,373 to be exact! Every single one of these individuals or organisations needs to be registered as an ACSP in order to carry out identity checks on behalf of their clients. Without that registration in place, they will not be able to perform these checks, which makes compliance a must have, rather than a nice to have.
The UK Government publishes a list of registered ACSPs. On that list, you’ll find us - COMDAL LIMITED ACSP - officially registered and authorised.
Roles And Responsibilities Of An ACSP
Authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) act as trusted intermediaries, responsible for verifying identities, submitting accurate filings, and meeting anti-money laundering obligations to help protect the integrity of the corporate register.
Identity Verification
Authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) have the ability to verify the identities of:
- Company Directors
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
The authorised corporate service providers (ACSP)is responsible for the identity verification - confirming that an individual is who they say they are before anything is accepted.
Filing Documentation
Authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) have the authority to file documents on behalf of their clients, these documents may include:
- Company incorporations
- Confirmation statements
- Annual accounts
- Director/PSC updates
As the authorised corporate service providers (ACSP) is acting on behalf of the client, they must ensure that the filings are accurate, complete and lawful.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
In order to stay compliant with AML, ACSPs must:
- Conduct full customer due diligence
- Monitor for any suspicious activity
- Report any concerns they may have
If an authorised corporate service providers (ACSP) does not follow these strict rules, they risk losing their authorisation. On top of that, they could face fines or even criminal liability.
A Compliance Safeguard
As a regulated provider acting in a professional capacity, they:
- Work to prevent false or fraudulent company registrations
- Discourage the use of, and registration of fake directors
- Maintain the integrity of the corporate register
Who Can Become An ACSP?
As mentioned previously, individuals and organisations such as solicitors, company formation agents, and accountants may apply to become authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs). To do so, they must meet the following criteria:
- UK based
- Subject to UK anti-money laundering (AML) supervision
- Formally authorised by a professional regulator or HMRC
To become authorised, individuals and organisations must have appropriate systems and controls in place to verify identities, submit accurate information, and meet Companies House requirements.
Companies House Timeline
The Companies House reforms set out in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act were implemented in phases, the follow the timeline below:
18 March 2025: Third-party providers became able to register as authorised corporate service providers.
8 April 2025: The new identity verification requirements came into effect on a voluntary basis.
18 November 2025: Identity verification becomes mandatory for all company directors and PSCs on incorporation or appointment.
From 18 November 2025: Beginning of a 12 month transition period. Existing directors and PSCs must complete identity verification, with full compliance required by autumn 2026.
Looking For Further Information?
I hope this article has helped to explain everything you need to know on authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs). To learn more about topics relevant to small and micro businesses, please explore our Knowledge Base. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
