The UK legal and business landscape has undergone a pivotal transformation with the implementation of mandatory identity verification by Companies House. This isn’t just a minor administrative update; it’s a fundamental shift designed to enhance transparency and combat economic crime, and it has significant implications for accountants across the country.  

While the voluntary identity verification process began on April 8, 2025, the mandatory requirements will progressively roll out from Autumn 2025. From this point, if directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), or anyone filing on behalf of a company are not verified, Companies House will simply not accept filings, potentially leading to severe penalties for both the individuals and the companies they represent. By Spring 2026, it will be a legal requirement for all third-party agents filing on behalf of companies to be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).  

The New Landscape for Accountants  

This mandate puts accountants in a unique position. They are often the first point of contact for businesses needing to interact with Companies House, and now they must guide their clients through a verification process that many will find unfamiliar. This adds a new layer of due diligence and administrative burden.   

Accountants must now:  

  1. Understand the timeline: Be aware that while voluntary verification began in April, mandatory checks for new roles start in Autumn 2025, with a 12-month transition for existing roles.  
  2. Educate clients: Clearly explain the new requirements and the importance of timely verification.  
  3. Facilitate verification: Advise clients on the available verification methods and assist them in navigating the process, including direct verification via GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP.  
  4. Consider ACSP registration: Accountants acting as intermediaries for filings will eventually need to register as an ACSP (registration opened on March 18, 2025) and meet the stringent identity verification standards themselves.  
  5. Ensure compliance: Confirm that all necessary identity checks are completed before submitting any filings to Companies House.  
  6. Manage potential delays: Account for the time required for identity verification, which could impact filing deadlines, especially as mandatory dates approach.  

This new responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Failure to comply could impact an accountant’s ability to provide essential services to their clients and potentially lead to reputational damage.  

 

Verify 365: Your Solution for Seamless Compliance  

This is precisely where Verify 365 comes in. As a leading AML, KYC, and KYB client onboarding platform, www.verify365.app and offers a robust and streamlined solution to meet the new Companies House identity verification requirements. We’ve seen a surge in enquiries from accountants, recognising that our ID verification software is the answer to their immediate need.  

 

How Verify 365 empowers accountants with ID Verifications:  

  1. Authorised Corporate Service Provider Ready: Our platform is designed to help you meet the rigorous standards required to act as an ACSP, enabling you to conduct compliant identity verifications on behalf of your clients. 
  2. Comprehensive ID Verification: Our platform provides advanced identity verification capabilities that meet the stringent standards set by Companies House, ensuring that your clients’ verifications are legitimate and accepted. 
  3. Efficiency and Speed: We simplify the complex verification process, allowing you to conduct ID checks quickly and efficiently. This minimises delays in filings and reduces the administrative burden on your firm, especially important as mandatory verification rolls out.  
  4. Seamless Client Onboarding: Integrate identity verification seamlessly into your existing client onboarding workflows. Our user-friendly interface makes it easy for your clients to complete their ID checks, even if they are not tech-savvy.  
  5. Reduced Risk: By leveraging our secure and compliant platform, you mitigate the risk of non-compliance, financial penalties, and potential reputational damage associated with the new regulations.  
  6. Audit Trail and Record Keeping: Verify 365 maintains a comprehensive audit trail of all verification processes, providing you with the necessary records for compliance and accountability, a critical requirement for ACSPs.  

 

Don’t let the new regulations become a roadblock.

Embrace the change with Verify 365 and turn a compliance challenge into a competitive advantage.  

The Companies House mandatory identity verification is a significant change, but it also presents an opportunity for forward-thinking accountants to enhance their service offering and reinforce their role as trusted advisors. By partnering with Verify 365, accountants can confidently navigate these new requirements, ensure seamless compliance for their clients, and focus on what they do best: providing expert financial guidance.  

Don’t let the new regulations become a roadblock. Embrace the change with Verify 365 and turn a compliance challenge into a competitive advantage.  

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To find out more about how to register as an ACSP, click here!