For UK directors and accountants, missing a Companies House filing deadline can mean penalties, late fees, or even legal complications. What many firms overlook, however, is how Companies House identity verification can silently disrupt workflows if not handled proactively. While verification is now mandatory for directors and PSCs, its practical impact on day-to-day filings often surprises companies and accountants alike.
Real-World Challenges Without Verification
Imagine this scenario: a firm is ready to submit its confirmation statement for a client company. All the accounts are prepared, and the fees are calculated, but one director has not completed Companies House identity verification. The submission is blocked. Weeks of preparation suddenly cannot progress.
This is not a hypothetical. Many accountants encounter situations where a single unverified director prevents filing, forcing firms to scramble, contact directors, and reschedule submissions. For firms managing multiple clients, these delays quickly cascade into administrative headaches.
Who Really Needs Verification
It’s not just the main directors. PSCs and members of LLPs may also need verification. For accountants, understanding which individuals in complex corporate structures require Companies House identity verification is crucial. Missing even one person can block an entire company filing.
This is particularly relevant for firms with clients that have:
- Multiple directors across several companies
- International directors without UK photo ID
- Newly appointed PSCs who are unaware of their verification obligation
Accountants who proactively check each individual’s verification status can save significant time and avoid compliance risks.
How Verification Works in Practice
There are two main routes to completing Companies House identity verification:
- GOV.UK One Login – Fast and free for UK residents, this method uses a passport or driving licence and facial recognition. It is ideal for tech-savvy directors, but even here, errors occur if documents are outdated or scans are unclear.
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) – Essential for overseas directors or clients who struggle with GOV.UK verification. Accountants can leverage ACSPs to manage verification professionally, ensuring submissions are not blocked.
Even when using these methods, accountants must track which directors have verified, maintain the personal codes, and ensure the codes are correctly linked to the relevant filings. This administrative oversight is where many firms lose time.
Practical Tips for Accountants
To avoid delays caused by Companies House identity verification, accountants should:
- Maintain a verification tracker for every client, noting which directors and PSCs are verified.
- Encourage new directors to complete verification immediately upon appointment.
- Use ACSPs for clients outside the UK to prevent technical bottlenecks.
- Verify codes before preparing confirmation statements, director appointments, or PSC updates.
These simple steps prevent last-minute crises and ensure filings proceed smoothly. For firms managing multiple clients, integrating identity verification checks into the workflow is now a best practice, not an optional step.
Conclusion
Companies House identity verification is more than a bureaucratic requirement — it’s a practical factor that can disrupt filings, delay confirmations, and create compliance risks if ignored. Accountants who understand the nuances, track verification statuses, and proactively manage the process save time, protect clients, and maintain smooth filing operations.
By treating verification as an integral part of client onboarding and ongoing compliance, firms can transform what might feel like a regulatory hurdle into a straightforward, manageable process that keeps every filing on track.
