The Litmus library
Choosing an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider is registered with Companies House for relevant agent services. Authorisation should be checked directly, and the scope of the engagement should be clear. Compare the specific work offered, identity process, charges and handling of sensitive documents.
Verify the provider and service scope
Use the official Companies House information to check an agent’s status. Ask whether the engagement covers identity verification, filing support or another task. Do not treat a logo or a broad company-services description as evidence of authorisation. Confirm who is responsible for submitting and checking each filing. Before deciding, write a short fact sheet covering the owners, the activity, the places involved and the intended outcome. Separate confirmed facts from assumptions that still need checking. Give the reviewer the actual documents rather than a summary assembled from memory. This makes the advice easier to apply and reduces the chance that a crucial detail is overlooked.
Understand the verification process
The provider should explain what evidence is needed and how documents will be handled. Check the secure submission route before sending identity material. Companies House verification is a particular process; it should not be presented as a guarantee of tax registration, banking acceptance or approval by another government service. Create a working folder with the source records, the questions raised and the answer received. Check that names, addresses and periods agree across documents before anything is submitted. If the instructions are unclear, resolve that point with the relevant authority or a suitable adviser. A documented decision is easier to revisit when the business changes than an informal assumption.
Agree practical accountability
Request a clear fee breakdown, turnaround expectations and a contact route for corrections. Keep copies of your instructions and the completed filings. Share personal codes only with trusted people who need them. If changing providers, plan continuity of official correspondence and access rather than assuming records transfer automatically. Assign a named person to the next action and record how completion will be evidenced. Keep accepted filings, correspondence and supporting calculations together. Revisit the arrangement when ownership, location or activity changes. Where more than one country or authority is involved, ask who will coordinate the work so each adviser understands the wider picture before relying on another person’s conclusions.
Check the official guidance
Rules and provider requirements can change. Check the current official guidance and seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
How should I check an agent’s authorisation?
Check the official Companies House information and confirm the specific service covered by the engagement.
Does Companies House verification replace other checks?
No. Other authorities and financial providers can require their own verification.
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