Firms Online
Maintenance
Firms Online will be unavailable after 5:30pm on 7th August for essential maintenance. The system will be up and running as normal from 8am on the 8th August.
Firms Online is a web-based system for authorised firms.
Latest update
The next peak in reporting will be 11 August with more than 6,000 firms due to submit their RMAR, MLAR or Complaints Return. Consequently, we would encourage firms to complete their returns in advance of their due date, as the system may be busier at this time. If a firm is late in submitting its return to us, it will be liable for an administrative fee of £250.
On this website we stated that there would be a system upgrade on the 1 June this included the change introducing a £250 VOP fee as outlined in FEES 3.2.7R. The upgrade has subsequently been delayed and we will keep you up to date via this website.
We have made a new simpler paper version of the Change in Control form. We will launch a new online form in the future and will keep you informed about this.
Firms Online is the mandatory reporting tool that firms should use when completing and submitting the regulatory returns below (Firms Online - Regulatory Reporting).
Firms can view their 'Firm Profile' to check that the information we hold is correct (Firms Online - Regulatory Transactions).
Firms can access forms to send us information and applications (Firms Online – Regulatory Transactions).
Important
Firms should regularly check their firm profile and reporting timetable. We suggest that you do not leave the submission of your return until near the due date as the system will be busier at these times.
To submit the form you must first validate all sections then click SUBMIT on the left of your screen. This will take you to a new window where you can submit all fully validated forms. Your form has not been received by the FSA until you have received an acknowledgement e-mail from us.
We are looking to improve the print facility. The first phase is planned for later in 2006 and will help how you manage your "print files". This means:
- you will be able to delete old PDF print files, and
- PDF print files older than 30 working days will automatically be deleted, however, you can still print a previously submitted return by re-opening it. Another option is to save a copy of the return in your own directories if you consider you might need to print it at some point in the future.
We will keep you informed of when we plan to implement future improvements.
Opening times
The Firm Contact Centre will extend its opening hours between 8am - 6pm from Monday 7th August until Friday 11th August reverting back to normal hours on Monday 14th August.
The Firms Online Service is normally open Monday to Sunday from 08.00am to 10:00pm.
Occasionally, the system will be unavailable during this time because of essential maintenance.
Minimum computer requirements
You will need :
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or above (you can download this free of charge from www.adobe.co.uk)
- A screen resolution of 1024 x 768.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or above.
- A connection to a printer so you can print out hard copies of forms or returns.
Registering for Firms Online
If you have not already set up your 'Firms Online' account, you can register here. If you submitted your application to become authorised using the mortgage and general insurance authorisation website, you can log on straight away. Use the existing user name and password of the 'principal compliance contact'.
For help on registering for Firms Online – Regulatory Reporting please refer to the Registration Factsheet.
Returns and forms currently available
Firms Online – Regulatory Reporting (RR)
You must use the RR system to complete and submit the following returns:
- Retail Mediation Activities Return (RMAR);
- Mortgage Lending and Administration Return (MLAR); and the
- Complaints Return
Transitional returns for small firms
When the RMAR was first introduced the FSA made rules setting out when firms should submit their RMAR. We also made transitional rules which contained a concession which meant some firms with regulated business revenue below £60,000 a year were only required to send in sections A-E once during the first 12 months following the introduction of the RMAR. This concession has now expired and these firms must now submit the full RMAR every six months.
Further information is contained within policy paper 04/09
Firms Online – Regulatory Transactions (RT)
Forms currently available are:
- Standing data
- Appointed representatives
- Other notifications
- Waivers
- Variation of permission
- Cancellation of part IV permission
- Approved persons
- Change in control
If you already have a user name and password for RR or RT, you can proceed to log-in.
Further information
Read our Frequently asked questions for more information about Firms online.
Firms who are handled by the Small Firms Division should see the Small Firms pages.