Award-winning Northamptonshire accountancy firm Elsby & Co has become one of the first organisations to register as an authorised corporate service provider so it can help its clients verify their identities with the government.
Companies House wants company directors, people with significant control of limited companies (PSC) and members of Limited Liability Partnerships to officially verify their identities as part of reforms designed to reduce incidents of fraud and economic crime and to stop people from using companies for illegal purposes.
It has invited third party corporate service providers, such as accountants and legal professionals, to apply to register as an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) so they can file information and confirm that they have verified the identities of their clients.
Rushden-based Elsby & Co registered as an ACSP – otherwise known as a Companies House authorised agent – earlier this year and has gone on to launch an ACSP Service so it can verify its clients’ identities on their behalf.
Elsby & Co co-founder Clare Elsby said: “The government is keen to tackle economic crime and one of the ways it is seeking to do this is by verifying the identity of people registered with Companies House to make it clearer who is setting up and controlling companies in the UK.
“It has been introducing the change gradually – beginning initially by encouraging businesses to voluntarily verify their information – with a view to making it a mandatory legal requirement.
“This change affects more than six million people, including those who own limited companies.
“It’s vitally important that these people verify their information correctly because failure to do so means they will not be able to file company accounts or make submissions to Companies House.
“Early on we registered as an official ACSP because we wanted to be able to manage the process for our clients if they want our support to do this.
“This is another example of our efforts to make life easier for our clients and successfully steer them through any new legislation that affects them.”
Those affected by the change include company directors, PSCs, ACSPs, individuals who file for companies (such as a company secretary) and people in roles which are the equivalent of a director such as members, general partners and managing officers.
When individuals have had their identities successfully verified, they will receive a unique identifier, called a Companies House personal code, which is personal to them, not their company.
From this autumn they will need the code for a variety of reasons. For instance, they will need it when they file confirmation statements to Companies House each year to confirm the information it has about their company is correct. They will also need this code if they are appointed as a director or if they become a PSC.
From spring 2026, the personal code will be required for every director or LLP member to allow for mandatory electronic filing of accounts with Companies House.
Current directors and PSCs will need the code to connect their verified identity with Companies House records. This is a legal requirement and is designed to ensure Companies House knows the correct identity is linked to any roles the directors and PSCs hold.
Clare added: “If people in these positions don’t verify their identities after it becomes a legal requirement they will be prevented from making any filings, starting a new company or entity or registering as an ACSP.
“If they don’t comply with the identify verification requirements on time, they will be committing an offence and may have to pay a financial penalty or fine.
“Directors who continue in their role without verifying their identities will be committing an offence and could be disqualified. The company – and all directors – may also be committing an offence.
“This shows why companies need to be on top of this change and why we have taken proactive steps to make sure we can provide our clients with the advice and support they need in this area.”
Company directors can also verify their identification online or in person at selected Post Office locations.
To find out more about Elsby & Co’s services, email help@elsbyandco.co.uk or call 0330 053 9189.
