ECCTA compliance for accountants: how Inform Direct by Bright keeps your practice ready
The ECCTA is here (whether you’re ready or not)
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) is arguably the most significant shift in UK corporate regulation since the Companies Act 2006. Sweeping through the world of company compliance like an over-caffeinated auditor with a to-do list, and every accounting practice is in its path. With changes rolling out in stages through to 2027, this isn’t something you can ignore and hope will sort itself out (spoiler: it won’t).
It’s not just another box-ticking exercise, it changes how companies operate, how directors are verified, and how accountants manage compliance.
And the question on everyone’s lips?
Not “Will this affect us?”
But “How soon before this gets complicated?”
The question isn’t if ECCTA will affect your clients. It’s how prepared your practice is to deal with the fallout without losing sleep, staff, or your sanity.
Fortunately, Inform Direct by Bright is already ahead of the curve. While others are still decoding acronyms and scratching their heads, we’ve evolved our platform to not just respond to ECCTA, but to anticipate it. Think of us as the compliance equivalent of packing an umbrella before it starts raining.
The anatomy of ECCTA: what’s changing, when, and why it matters
Let’s not sugarcoat it. ECCTA rolls out a buffet of phased compliance obligations from March 2024 through 2027.
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“Appropriate” registered office addresses and emails (because apparently some weren’t)
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Compulsory statements of lawful purpose (yes, even if it’s glaringly obvious)
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And, of course, identity verification for directors, PSCs, and LLP members that gets more intense with each passing year
These aren’t just administrative hurdles, they’re designed to crack down on corporate fraud and increase transparency.
Each new phase brings more forms, more rules, and more opportunities for practices to either shine… or spiral. Luckily, you’re not in this alone.
Read the full Companies House guidance
Assumptions, alternatives, and a touch of healthy scepticism
Some believe compliance software alone is a silver bullet. It’s not. Inform Direct works best when paired with:
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Staff training
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Internal compliance procedures
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Proactive client communication
How Inform Direct by Bright leads the ECCTA compliance charge
Inform Direct by Bright is ahead of the ECCTA curve.
We nailed phase one compliance early, enabling seamless filing with lawful purpose declarations and office address verifications from day one. ACSP registration? Handled, fast and fully integrated. We’ve built in personal code tracking, bulk ID verification with Credas, and smart mapping across companies, so you stay compliant without the spreadsheet chaos. And with iXBRL tagging already in place, you’re ready for software-only filing in 2027, while others are still catching up.
✅ Ready from Day One
In March 2024, Inform Direct already supported the new data requirements, while others scrambled.
✅ ACSP integration
From March 2025, manage your ACSP details from within Inform Direct. Simple. Clean. Compliant.
✅ ID verification
Via Credas, users can run ID checks directly within the platform. No switching tabs. No new logins. Just checks, tracked and done.
✅ iXBRL filing support
Already in place for micro and dormant company accounts. Inform Direct is future-ready. Are you?
What’s in it for your practice? (Spoiler: quite a lot)
At Bright, we understand regulatory change can feel like death by regulatory memo. But it doesn’t have to sap your energy or eat into client time. With Inform Direct, you’re not stuck in reactive mode, you’re positioned as the go-to advisor who actually gets it done.
We’re talking:
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Auto-updating statutory registers
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Document generation from 400+ templates
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Tiered user access
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Bulk personal code management
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Real-time reporting
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Mailing reminders that save your bacon
All of this reduces admin drag so your team can focus on what they do best: adding value, not just ticking boxes.
Best practices and expert advice
“Firms that treat ECCTA as a chance to improve processes – not just survive regulation – will emerge more profitable, efficient, and client-centric.”
– John Edwards, Chief Executive, The Institute of Financial Accountants
Best-in-class compliance practices include:
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Bulk ID verification and code management
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Client comms about compliance changes
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Assigning a compliance lead in-house
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Regular internal file reviews
Your ECCTA strategy starts here (and no, “hope for the best” doesn’t count)
ECCTA is more than another acronym to memorise, it’s a full-blown transformation of company admin and compliance. With Inform Direct by Bright, you don’t just survive the shift. You lead through it.
While other firms are still Googling “What does ECCTA stand for?”, you’re confidently supporting clients, nailing submissions, and keeping ahead of the next requirement.
Sound good?
Let’s get your practice ready – before the panic emails start
Contact Bright today and discover how Inform Direct turns looming compliance chaos into calm, controlled, client-ready brilliance.
If ECCTA compliance feels overwhelming, that’s because it is. But with Inform Direct by Bright, you’ll be the one confidently navigating every change, while others are still figuring out what ACSP stands for.
Ready to see it in action? Book a demo with Bright today and discover how Inform Direct turns looming compliance chaos into calm, controlled, client-ready brilliance.
Read more on Inform Direct’s ECCTA support
FAQs: what your practice actually wants to know
1. Do I have to become an ACSP?
No – but it gives you quicker filing power and better oversight.
2. What if clients don’t verify directors?
Companies House will eventually reject filings and enforce penalties.
3. Is Inform Direct the only ECCTA-compliant software?
Others exist, but few offer the same level of integration and workflow simplicity.
4. How does ID verification work in practice?
Checks are triggered and tracked directly in Inform Direct via Credas.
5. Will my clients understand ECCTA?
Only if you explain it. You might need a blog, a video or just a very direct email.
6. Is this just more work?
Short-term, yes. Long-term, this is process improvement in disguise.
Want a deeper dive?
We’ve also put together a detailed look at how Inform Direct is supporting accountants with ECCTA compliance in practice – from ACSP registration to identity verification.
