Companies House has changed significantly over the past two years; and the rules around who can do what, and on whose behalf, have become considerably more structured as a result.
As an AAT licensed accountancy practice, we’ve taken the time to review exactly which services we can offer compliantly, where the boundaries lie, and (just as importantly) where they don’t. This post sets that out clearly, explains a little of the background behind our decisions, and points you in the right direction for anything that falls outside our scope.
What's Changed at Companies House
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 is the most significant reform of UK company law in a generation. It has reshaped how Companies House operates, who can file on behalf of companies, and what identity checks are now required.
The full roadmap is available but the two elements of this are particularly relevant to you as a client.
1. Mandatory Identity Verification
From 18 November 2025, all new company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity before their appointment is registered at Companies House. Existing directors and PSCs are being phased through verification on a rolling basis, tied to their company’s first confirmation statement from that date, with the transition period running through to approximately November 2026.
Verification can be done directly through Companies House using the GOV.UK One Login service for free or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), a firm registered with Companies House to carry out verification on clients’ behalf.
2. Authorised Corporate Service Providers
From November 2026, any third party filing documents at Companies House on behalf of clients must be registered as an ACSP. To register, a firm must be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body; which, as a licensed accountancy practice, we already are.
We are also already registered as an ACSP, meaning we are fully authorised to file on behalf of clients at Companies House.
The Companies House Services We Are Authorised to Handle for You
As a registered ACSP, we can handle a range of statutory filings at Companies House on your behalf, including:
✔ Registered office address changes (Form AD01)
✔ Confirmation statements (Form CS01)
✔ Director and PSC detail updates
✔ Registered email address changes
✔ Changes to accounting reference dates
✔ Other standard statutory filings
We use Inform Direct company secretarial software, which integrates directly with Companies House systems, to handle these efficiently and with a full audit trail.
The Services That Fall Outside Our Scope
We want to be straightforward about this. There are several services that fall outside what we currently offer, and we’d rather be clear about that than take on obligations that sit outside our core expertise.
The common thread running through most of what we don’t offer is something called Trust and Company Service Provider (TCSP) status. Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, any firm that provides certain services by way of business is classified as a TCSP, regardless of how often those services are provided. That classification brings with it a huge set of enhanced compliance obligations on top of standard accountancy supervision, and it’s a line we’ve made a deliberate decision not to cross at this time.
In simple terms, this means there are a few services we’ve intentionally chosen not to offer:
1. Identity Verification Checks
Although our ACSP registration gives us the authorisation to carry out identity verification checks for directors and PSCs, we have decided not to offer this as a service.
The verification process under the new legislation requires a structured procedure that goes beyond the risk-based approach we use under standard AML compliance. It comes with strict record-keeping obligations, specific document standards and a positive duty to report any changes to our own firm’s details to Companies House within 14 days. Having weighed that compliance overhead against the benefit to clients, we believe the better route is to direct you to the free, straightforward process of verifying directly yourself.
2. Company Formation
Company formation is one of the activities that triggers TCSP classification, and that’s the primary reason we’ve made a deliberate decision not to offer it at this time.
Providing formation services requires registration with HMRC as a TCSP, along with stricter responsibilities around identity checks, customer due diligence, and long-term record keeping. These requirements have become more robust under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Having considered the additional compliance and verification requirements now built into the formation process, we’ve concluded that this sits outside the scope of what we currently offer. If you’re looking to set up a new limited company, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction such as this step-by-step guidance.
3. Registered Office Address
Providing a registered office address is also a TCSP activity; and one that carries its own ongoing obligations, including handling and forwarding statutory mail and ensuring all correspondence from Companies House and HMRC reaches the company in good time.
For this reason, we don’t offer our firm’s address as a registered office for client companies. We’d refer you to a specialist registered office provider or company formation agent who is set up to manage those obligations properly.
4. Nominee Director or Shareholder Services
Acting (or arranging for others to act) as directors, secretaries or nominee shareholders falls squarely within the TCSP definition. It’s not something we offer, and for the same reasons outlined above, the enhanced compliance framework that accompanies it sits outside our current scope.
Key Dates Every Business Owner Should Have on Their Radar
The regulatory landscape around Companies House is still evolving. A few key dates worth being aware of:
- November 2026 – ACSP registration becomes mandatory for all third-party agents filing at Companies House on behalf of clients. We are already registered and ready.
- April 2027 – All companies must file annual accounts using approved third-party software. Web filing and paper filing for accounts will close.
- April 2027 – Abridged and filleted accounts will no longer be permitted. Small companies and micro-entities will need to file profit and loss accounts publicly.
We’ll keep clients updated as these changes take effect. To read more about why the Government are implementing these changes, click here. If you have any questions about how they affect your company, we’re always happy to support.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can check your company’s current registered information at any time on the Companies House register If anything needs updating, get in touch and we can handle the filing on your behalf.
If a director or PSC hasn’t verified their identity by the time their confirmation statement is due, Companies House may flag the company as non-compliant. It’s worth getting this done sooner rather than later, especially as the process takes minutes and removes any risk of it becoming an issue down the line.
For most businesses, the main practical change is identity verification for directors and PSCs (which is already underway). The April 2027 changes around accounts filing will affect how your annual accounts are prepared and submitted, and we’ll be in touch with specific guidance ahead of that deadline.
Just ask. We’d rather point you in the right direction than leave you without an answer. Whether it’s company formation, a registered office address or anything else outside our current scope, we’re happy to recommend a trusted route.
Final Thoughts
The regulatory landscape around Companies House has changed considerably, and is still changing. We think it’s important to be clear about exactly what we offer, what we don’t, and why so you always know where you stand with us at Right Click Accounting.
If you have any questions about how any of this affects your business, or you’d simply like to talk through your current Companies House obligations, we’re always happy to have that conversation. We’re not just here at year-end or when something goes wrong; but through every decision, challenge and milestone along the way.
(This blog is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Regulatory requirements are subject to change. Please contact us or your professional body supervisor for advice specific to your circumstances.)