Compliance & ECCTA
A PSC holds more than 25% of shares or votes, can appoint or remove most directors, or exercises significant influence. The conditions and the register.
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 indemnityA person with significant control holds more than 25% of shares, or more than 25% of voting rights, or can appoint or remove a majority of directors, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control over the company or a trust or firm that does.
The five conditions
Keeping the register right
A person with significant control holds more than 25% of shares, or more than 25% of voting rights, or can appoint or remove a majority of directors, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control over the company or a trust or firm that does.
Meeting any one of the conditions makes someone a PSC. The fourth and fifth conditions, significant influence or control including through a trust or firm, catch people without shares, for example someone whose instructions the board habitually follows.
Where a company is owned by another legal entity that is itself subject to PSC rules, the entity is recorded as a relevant legal entity and the chain continues upwards until a registrable person is found.
Companies must take reasonable steps to identify PSCs, keep their own register, notify Companies House of changes within fourteen days of entering them, and confirm the position on the confirmation statement. PSCs must also verify their identity under the ECCTA reforms.
Failure to maintain or disclose PSC information is a criminal offence for the company and its officers, and it is an area Companies House now actively enforces rather than merely records.
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.
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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
Name, month and year of birth, nationality, country of residence, service address and the nature of control. The residential address and full date of birth are not published.
Rarely. Where genuinely none exists, a specific statement must be filed saying so.
Joint holders are each treated as holding the whole interest for the 25% test.
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.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
