Do you Need to be an ACSP?
If you have corporate clients in the UK, you may wish to register with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). This is a new requirement driven by the rise in money laundering and fraud using corporate structures. ACSPs are also known as Companies House Authorised Agents.
The ACSP initiative is being rolled out in stages. Stage 1 commenced on 8 April 2025, when the service allowed authorised agents, such as accountants, to verify clients’ identities for Companies House purposes. Records of the identity checks need to be retained by the agents for 7 years.
File as an Authorised Agent
The next stage will commence in Spring 2026, when authorised agents will be able to file on behalf of clients.
An authorised agent can be a business (for example, a limited company or partnership), or a person who files on behalf of others (a sole trader).
To register, agents must be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body such as Chartered Accountants Ireland. In the future, all businesses that file information on behalf of clients will need to register as an ACSP.
For more information and to start the registration process follow this link.
For audit cold file reviews and tailored training sessions explaining more about various topics like AML, Audit, FRS 102, please send a mail to john@jmcc.ie.
For more on engagement and representation letter templates and a variety of CPD webinars on money laundering and other accounting/audit related topics, please go to our website for:
- Our latest CPD Webinar on The Main Changes in Irish GAAP (recorded July 2024)
- Anti-Money Laundering Policies Controls and Procedures Manual (March 2022) — View the table of contents
- AML Webinar (December 2023) available here, which accompanies the AML Manual. It explains the latest legal AML reporting position for accountancy firms and includes a quiz. Upon completion you receive a CPD certificate for attendance in your inbox.
- Letters of engagement and similar templates—Please visit our website here where immediate downloads are available in Word format. A bulk discount is available for orders of five or more items bought together.
ISQM TOOLKIT, or if you prefer to chat through the different audit risks and potential appropriate responses presented by this new standard. We typically tailor ISQM training and brainstorming sessions to suit your firm’s unique requirements. Please contact John McCarthy FCA by email at john@jmcc.ie.
