Companies House has announced new changes that will allow for greater certainty about who is filing information on behalf of companies.

The Government agency has launched a new service that allows third-party corporate service providers, such as accountants and legal professionals, to apply to register as an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP).

Companies House confirmed that this service is one of several changes being made under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.

As the Act is further implemented, third-party providers will have to register using this new service to file information and confirm that they have verified the identities of their clients, as part of a wider move to provide a more robust framework for anyone filing on behalf of a company.

Companies House CEO, Louise Smyth, said the new ACSP regime is “a step towards a more transparent and secure business environment in the UK”.

“Requiring third party agents to register as authorised corporate service providers will provide assurance that identity checks they carry out achieve the same level of assurance as identity verification directly through Companies House,” Smyth commented.

To become an ACSP, businesses must be registered with one of the UK’s 25 anti-money laundering supervisory bodies, and the ACSP registration process will need to be completed by someone who holds a senior role within the business, such as a director.

Companies House has estimated that up to 50,000 businesses could apply to register as ACSPs within 12 months of the service launch.

Smyth added: “Soon all new and existing company directors, and equivalents, people with significant control, as well as those filing information with Companies House will need to verify their identity.

“This will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK.”

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