Compliance & ECCTA
Acting as an unverified director is an offence. Filings can be rejected, the register annotated and fines imposed. What to do if you have missed the window.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityActing as a director without completing identity verification is a criminal offence for the individual and can be for the company. Companies House can annotate the register, reject filings and impose financial penalties, and the company remains liable for all other filings.
The consequences in order of severity
If you have already missed it
Acting as a director without completing identity verification is a criminal offence for the individual and can be for the company. Companies House can annotate the register, reject filings and impose financial penalties, and the company remains liable for all other filings.
First, an annotation on the public register showing the individual is unverified, which is visible to banks, customers and anyone running due diligence. Then rejection of filings, which can cascade into late accounts and a late confirmation statement with their own penalties.
Beyond that, civil financial penalties and prosecution are available, and disqualification proceedings are possible for persistent non-compliance. None of this removes the underlying duty to verify.
Verify immediately, directly through GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP, then bring any rejected or overdue filings up to date in the same week. Voluntary correction before enforcement is treated far better than waiting for a letter.
If the delay was caused by a document problem, for example an unsupported passport for the digital check, the ACSP route usually resolves it quickly because the checks are done by a supervised firm rather than automated.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Not directly for verification failure, but rejected filings lead to overdue accounts and confirmation statements, which do trigger strike off action.
A resignation does not remove liability for the period you acted unverified.
Often the same day through an ACSP with documents ready.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
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