FCA AUTHORISATION SUPPORT.
Helping you establish requirements and supporting you through a complex authorisation process
FCA Authorisation Support
Helping you establish requirements and supporting you through a complex authorisation process
FCA authorisation is the legal gateway to operating as a regulated financial services firm in the UK. Without it, carrying out regulated activities under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 is a criminal offence.
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Whether you're building a new FinTech, launching an insurance intermediary, or expanding an existing business into regulated territory, getting authorised is the first and most critical step.
RRCA guides firms through the entire process; from working out whether you need authorisation at all, right through to the day you receive your FCA reference number.
50+
(de) authorisation and VoP application completed
15+
Years of consulting and practitioner experience
Do you need FCA authorisation?
Not every financial business needs to be directly authorised. The requirement depends on whether your firm carries out a "regulated activity" as defined under FSMA 2000 or another instrument, such as PSRs. This covers a wide range of activities — from arranging and advising on investments, to consumer credit, insurance distribution, and payment services.
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The requirements (and exclusions) apply to businesses, not-for-profits, and sole traders alike. If your firm does carry out a regulated activity, you must either be authorised by the FCA, registered with the FCA (in the case of certain crypto and payment services firms), or operate as an Appointed Representative under an authorised firm.
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Getting this initial classification right matters. Applying for the wrong permissions (or missing a regulated activity entirely) can cause significant delays. It's one of the first things we work through with every new client.
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Once we establish whether you need to be authorised and regulated by the FCA (or registered in case of crypto and payment services), we determine exactly which 'permissions' you require. Then we help you navigate the authorisation process, providing all the documentation and information you need.
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FCA authorisation is required if your firm engages in activities such as:
Conducting Investment or advisory services
Insurance and/or distribution
Consumer Credit (lending)
Payment Services and Crypto
Variation of Permission - if you change your regulated activities (such as Client Money)
Change of Controller (notification), De-authorisation, Adding SMFs, and so on...
Not sure? We'll assess your firm's activities and requirements.
What the FCA Expects from Applicants...
The FCA assesses every application against its Threshold Conditions — the minimum standards a firm must meet to be authorised. At the heart of this is a three-part test: the FCA expects firms to demonstrate they are ready, willing and organised to comply with regulatory requirements.​
Ready
Your systems, controls, and people are in place before you apply — not planned for later.
Willing
Your co-operation with the FCA and how you deal with the FCA's queries in relation to your application
Organised
Organised means your governance, policies, and processes are documented and functional.
Firms that underestimate preparation face delays, queries, or rejection. The FCA scrutinises applications carefully, particularly the Regulatory Business Plan and the fitness of Senior Managers.
What this means in practice
Senior management is ready
Proposed leaders understand their responsibilities, business model, their own responsibilities and how the regulated business will be overseen.
Documents are tailored
The business plan, policies and procedures reflect the firm's real activities, risk and controls.
Controls are operational
Compliance oversight, monitoring, complaints handling, risk and training are operational in practice - not just a document.
Governance is clear
Reporting lines, oversight arrangements are defined prior submission.
Senior management is ready
The firm has adequate systems, financial and personal resources to operate properly from the start.
Consistency
The complete application bundle tell the same story, do not leave obvious gaps which would question threshold conditions.
How Long Does FCA Authorisation Take?
Timeline is one of the most common questions we get. The honest answer is that it varies. The FCA has a statutory target of six months to determine a complete application, and twelve months for an incomplete one. In practice, straightforward applications with well-prepared documentation can move through relatively quickly. More complex applications (particularly those involving multiple regulated activities, novel business models, or senior managers with complicated backgrounds) can take considerably longer.
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Generally speaking, an authorisation application can take anything between 4 and 12 months.
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Our advice to every firm is to start the preparation process well before you need authorisation. Building your Regulatory Business Plan, compliance framework, and senior manager assessments takes time to do properly. Firms that rush this stage almost always face follow-up questions from the FCA that extend the overall timeline.
How RRCA Supports Your FCA Application - Our Services
Once we've confirmed that authorisation is the right route for your firm and identified which permissions you need, we take on the heavy lifting. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Dedicated Consultant
You'll work with one consultant who gets to know your business, your objectives, and your team.
Process Management
We manage the application from document preparation through to online submission.
Regulatory Business Plan
This is the document the FCA scrutinises most closely. We draft it with you, making sure it accurately reflects your business model
Governance Framework
We prepare and test your compliance framework, including associated trainings, SM and CF fitness assessment and training
SM&CR Assessments
We assess your proposed SMF holders and CF holders against the FCA's fit and proper requirements.
Post Application
We stay with you through FCA queries and clarification requests, right up to the point of authorisation - ensuring knowledge handover.
We handle the full range of FCA applications — Full Permission, Limited Permission, Approved Person Applications, Variation of Permissions (VOPs), Changes in Control (CIC), and Change of Legal Status.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Can you help to establish whether I need FCA Authorisation?
Yes. You are welcome to book an initial meeting with us during which we can provide an indication whether you are likely to require FCA authorisation. This we can also do if you are already authorised but you may require additional permissions (known as Variation of Permissions).
What documents are required?
Key documents include a Regulatory Business Plan, compliance procedures, financial projections, and Senior Manager assessments. We prepare these with you. In addition, other supporting documents will be required, such as evidence of PII, completed risk register and so on. Our consultants can walk you through, depending on your application type.
Can you help with FCA queries?
Absolutely. Most applications generate follow-up queries. We can support you with all FCA correspondence throughout the process. Even if you already started the application but now you require help, just get in touch.
Can you deal with the whole process on our behalf?
Generally speaking, yes, we can handle most aspects of the application. However, it is best practice that the firm and its senior managers are actively involved and liaise with the FCA. It is something a case officer would expect under the 'willing' requirement.
Flexible Pricing — Fixed Fee, Retainer or Hourly
We know that cost is a real consideration, particularly for start-ups and growing firms.
That's why we offer three engagement models: a fixed fee for firms that want cost certainty, an hourly rate for targeted support at specific points, and a retainer for firms that want ongoing advisory access throughout the process. We'll recommend the right model after an initial consultation.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN.
At RRCA we provide a comprehensive and tailored service, meeting individual needs and FCA obligations. Whether you are a start-up or an established firm, our expert consultants are here to provide guidance and support.
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You can find ample information on our website or if you prefer, simply contact us for an no-obligation and confidential discussion about your needs.
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