PC Share Register Plus - Company Secretarial Software - Companies House Account Types Explained

Companies House Account Types Explained

There are a number of different Companies House account types used for different purposes which is often the source of some confusion for users. It is most important that the correct account is used for the relevant purpose.

Software Function	Optional Module Required	Requires Electronic Filing Service Credit Account	Requires XML Gateway "Output" Account
eFiling Company Forms	eFiling Module	*
Companies House "Basic" data check	Standard Function
Companies House Filing History	Standard Function
Companies House "Bulk" data check of multiple companies	Companies House Data Check Plus Module		*
Download document image from filing history	Companies House Data Check Plus Module		*
Companies House "Detailed" data check of directors, secretaries, members etc.	eFiling Module	*

Companies House Electronic Filing Service Credit Account (used for eFiling Company Forms)

Description
This account is used for the purposes of electronic filing of Companies House forms from within the software. The account can be used with either the email style e-filing instructions or the new XML style e-filing instructions.

Costs
There is no standing charge levied by Companies House and any charges relating to filed documents (ie. Annual Returns) are charged to this account, payable monthly in arrears.

Entering Details in the Software
Details of the account are entered into the software for each presenter (File > Presenter Details > Open Presenter > eFiling Tab). This account requires: the dedicated email address registered to the account at Companies House, The "Presenter ID" (11 digits) allocated by Companies House, The "Auth Code" (11 characters) allocated by Companies House.

Applying for an Account
Click here to download an application form

Companies House XML Gateway "Output" Account (used to download document images)

Description
This account is NOT used for filing of documents, but is used in conjunction with the "Companies House Data Check Plus" optional module to retrieve copies of previously filed documents.

Costs
There is a standing charge for this account levied by Companies House of £5 per month and each downloaded document image is charged at the discounted rate of 85p. The account is payable monthly in arrears.

Entering Details in the Software
Details of the account are entered into the software globally for all workstations/presenters (File > Subscription Details & Preferences > XML Gateway Tab. This account requires: The "XML Gateway Sender ID" (32 digits) allocated by Companies House, The "XML Gateway Customer Password" (32 characters) allocated by Companies House.

Applying for an Account
Click here to download an application form

Companies House Direct Account (used to access Companies House online search service)

This account is not required by PC Share Register Plus and is purely for the purpose of accessing the Companies House online search facility on their website.