For too long, Companies House has been a passive player in the official record keeping of UK-registered companies. Prior to 2024, there had been no significant change or reform in its 180-year history.

Loopholes in Companies House registration had made it easy for unscrupulous individuals and organised crime groups to commit financial crime by registering fake companies and directors. 

The introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023 outlining changes which began to come into force in 2024 positioned the executive agency as a major player in the prevention of economic crime.

Under the new legislation, Companies House has been given new powers to assess, identify and verify information provided by company directors and persons of significant control (PSCs), using strict identification and verification checks.

Since November 2025 new directors and PSCs have been required to verify their identity, and existing company directors have until November 2026 to complete the verification checks or face fines and/or removal from the register all together.

Accountants can register as an ACSP to act for clients

During 2026, the next phase of Companies House related changes will become law. “From Spring, to file accounts on behalf of clients, you will need to be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider – an ACSP,” says Mike Miller, Economic Crime Manager at ICAEW.

ACSPs are regulated agents, such as accountants or solicitors, who are supervised by a UK AML supervisory body, for example ICAEW.

Accountants, from spring 2026, will need to register as an ACSP if they intend to register new clients, submit files or undertake other activities on their behalf. As part of this, ACSPs can assist clients in verifying their identity for Companies House registration. But, says Miller, this comes with an element of risk.

Companies House verification not the same as AML checks

It is important to understand that requirements for verification on Companies House are not the same as requirements for AML checks.

“Anti-money laundering is based on what we call the risk-based approach,” Miller explains. “You assess where the potential risks are. Verification is far more specific. You must carry out verification to the standard set by the Home Office and there are penalties if you don’t. 

“Accountants therefore need to understand the potential risks involved in carrying out this verification, particularly for new clients.”

AML supervision moving to FCA

There will also be further changes related to AML supervision which will impact accountants. In 2026 AML supervision responsibilities will begin to move from the regulated sector and professional body supervisors, such as ICAEW, to the sole control of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

“We will be working with the FCA in a constructive manner to make sure that there are no gaps in supervision,” says Miller. “Hopefully as the transition goes forward, there's not going to be an increase in opportunities for money laundering.”

For accountants, professional scepticism and due diligence remain as important as ever. Despite the increased scrutiny and verification checks now required at Companies House, accountants must still take the ‘necessary steps’ to satisfy themselves that clients are genuine, they are who they say they are and their documents are authentic.

Companies House, says Miller, carries that “extra level” of knowledge and assurance  via their verification checks, so accountants can be “relatively well assured”, but they must continue to exercise the required due diligence.