How do I register PAYE with accountant support in 2026?

Register PAYE with accountant support using five workflow steps by assigning an agent, collecting payroll data, verifying identities, submitting the Pay As You Earn registration to HMRC, and configuring payroll software. The accountant manages compliance and timelines to achieve HMRC activation.

What is the fastest way to register PAYE with accountant support using five workflow steps?

The fastest method is to follow a five-step workflow: appoint an accountant, collect payroll and employee data, verify identities and eligibility, submit PAYE registration to HMRC, and set up payroll software and reporting.
Follow these steps in sequence to minimise delays and ensure immediate payroll compliance.

Appointing an accountant centralises responsibility. The accountant confirms the company registration details, prepares registration forms, and acts as the HMRC agent. This reduces processing errors and shortens HMRC response times.

How do you appoint an accountant to handle PAYE registration?

Appoint an accountant by signing an engagement letter, completing an agent authorisation form, and supplying the company officer's details and the company registration number.
The accountant then registers as an agent for HMRC. Provide the company’s Companies House number, registered address, director names, and the company’s SIC code. The engagement letter defines deadlines, deliverables, and responsibilities for payroll filings.

An authorised agent receives an agent services account (ASA) connection to HMRC or uses the accountant’s agent credentials. This allows the accountant to submit PAYE registration and to receive HMRC notifications on behalf of the company.

Read our articles, Why PAYE registration gets delayed UK 6 real reasons explained and UK companies trust our PAYE registration service for fast approval.

What payroll and employee data must you collect before registration?

Collect the company’s PAYE start date, employee National Insurance numbers, dates of birth, full names, addresses, and contracted pay details (salary, frequency, and benefits).
Confirm each employee’s tax code, where available. Provide starter checklist forms for new hires and copies of existing PAYE records if applicable.

Record contracted hours and payment frequency to configure payroll periods. Include details of directors’ pay, benefits-in-kind, and pension contributions. Accurate data prevents HMRC queries and reduces registration back-and-forth.

How do you verify identities and employment eligibility for PAYE registration?

Verify identities using two government-approved documents per person, validate National Insurance numbers with the HMRC Verification service, and confirm right-to-work where required.
Use a passport plus a recent utility bill, or a driving licence plus a bank statement. For UK employees, validate NI numbers through HMRC real-time services. For non-UK nationals, confirm immigration status with the Home Office systems.

Document verification prevents HMRC rejection. Maintain dated copies of ID and a verification log. The accountant should record verification methods and retain proof for at least three years for audit readiness.

What does the accountant submit to HMRC to register PAYE?

The accountant submits a completed employer PAYE registration containing company details, PAYE start date, employer payroll contact, and expected number of employees, then requests PAYE reference and Accounts Office details.
The submission includes SIC code, Companies House number, and the company’s bank details, where applicable. HMRC issues an employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference within 5 to 45 working days, depending on verification checks.

If HMRC requests additional checks, respond within the timeline given. The accountant monitors HMRC correspondence and escalates queries to minimise registration delays.

How do you configure payroll software after HMRC registration?

Configure payroll software by entering the employer PAYE reference, Accounts Office reference, pay periods, tax codes, and employee records; then set up RTI and CIS where applicable.
Enable Real Time Information (RTI) submissions and set automatic tax code updates. Import verified employee data and reconcile with the company ledger. Arrange pension auto-enrolment staging details and contributions schedule.

Run a parallel payrun to test calculations. The accountant verifies PAYE, National Insurance, and student loan deductions before the first live payroll run.

How long does each step usually take?

Typical timings: appoint accountant (1–3 days), collect payroll data (2–7 days), verify identities (1–5 days), submit to HMRC (1 day), HMRC processing (5–45 working days), software setup (1–3 days).
Total time ranges from 10 days to 8 weeks, depending on HMRC checks. Prioritise accurate documentation to stay at the shorter end of that range.

Accountants who use agent services and submit complete data regularly obtain PAYE references faster. Incomplete submissions commonly extend HMRC processing by multiple weeks.

What common causes delay PAYE registration, and how does the workflow prevent them?

Delays arise from incomplete company details, missing employee NI numbers, insufficient ID verification, mismatched director information, and delayed responses to HMRC queries.
Following the five-step workflow prevents these issues by centralising tasks with an accountant, collecting complete records before submission, and validating identity and NI numbers in advance.

The workflow mandates a final quality check before submission. This removes common data errors that trigger HMRC investigations and delays.

What responsibilities remain with the company after registration?

The company must approve payroll runs, supply timely employee updates, fund PAYE liabilities, and review payroll reports the accountant prepares.
Companies retain legal responsibility for PAYE submissions and payments. The accountant files RTI and completes payroll calculations. The company signs off gross-to-net pay and ensures bank transfers for tax payments and pension contributions.

Maintain internal records of salary changes, new hires, and leavers. Notify the accountant immediately of any changes to avoid late filings or incorrect tax deductions.

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How does My Company Registration deliver the Register Your Company for PAYE service?

My Company Registration manages the five-step workflow: agent appointment, data collection, identity verification, HMRC submission, and payroll software setup to expedite PAYE activation.
The service provides a clear checklist and assigns an accountant who handles HMRC communications. This reduces administrative burden and shortens registration timelines.

The accountant configures RTI and pension settings and supplies the first payroll report. Clients approve payroll before payments and receive a compliance pack for records.
The five-step workflow produces a quick, auditable PAYE registration path. Appointing an accountant, assembling complete payroll data, verifying identity, submitting to HMRC, and configuring payroll software minimises errors and speeds HMRC approval. My Company Registration delivers the process and documentation management required for compliant PAYE activation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to Register Your Company for PAYE with My Company Registration?

Registering for PAYE typically takes between 5 and 45 working days for HMRC to issue references, depending on verification checks. My Company Registration completes agent authorisation and submits a complete application to reduce processing time and avoid common delays.

What documents are required to Register Your Company for PAYE?

You need the Companies House number, registered business address, director names and dates of birth, and employee details (full name, NI number, date of birth, address, and pay details). My Company Registration also requests identity documents and proof of right-to-work, where applicable, to validate the submission.

Can an accountant register PAYE on behalf of my business?

Yes. An authorised accountant or agent can register PAYE on your behalf using agent services and an engagement letter. My Company Registration acts as the agent to submit the PAYE registration, receive HMRC correspondence, and set up RTI reporting.

How do I prepare payroll data before I Register Your Company for PAYE?

Prepare a payroll starter checklist with employee NI numbers, tax codes, contracted salary or hourly rates, pay frequency, and pension details. Providing these to My Company Registration before submission prevents HMRC queries and speeds the registration process.

What happens after HMRC issues the PAYE reference when I Register Your Company for PAYE?

After HMRC issues the employer PAYE and Accounts Office references, set up payroll software, enable RTI submissions, and schedule the first pay run. My Company Registration configures payroll systems and provides the first payroll report for company approval.