What is a Bacs bureau?
The Bacs Approved Bureau Scheme is for computer bureaux that submit transactions through the Bacs service on behalf of third party organisations.
Bacs inspectors review the appropriateness of all bureaux to ensure they all meet the standards set by the Scheme.
Over half of the organisations using the Bacs service make their Direct Debit and Bacs Direct Credit payment submissions through our approved bureaux rather than submitting directly to Bacs.
Organisations choose to use a Bacs approved bureau for a number of reasons:
- They may only make a small number of Direct Debit and Bacs Direct Credit transactions each month
- They might be unable to fulfil all of the criteria to be able to make direct submissions themselves to Bacs
- They may be a newly established organisation
- They might be a small to medium sized enterprise (SME) with a relatively low turnover.
But, whatever the reason, with approximately 770 Bacs approved bureaux throughout the UK accessibility to Direct Debit and Bacs Direct Credit services is greater than ever before.
Getting approved
The support guidelines - application process explain the process and requirements for becoming a Bacs approved bureau. These guidelines provide step by step instructions from initial contact with your sponsoring payment service provider (PSP) through to approval. A copy of the support guidelines - application process can be found in the Information Hub below or to the right of your screen..
Security guidelines
Bacs take the subject of security very seriously. The support guidelines – security contains a series of recommendations covering controls and procedures about confidentiality, integrity and availability. These security recommendations collectively define an industry baseline of good security practice and should be considered by applicants wishing to gain approved status. A copy of the support guidelines - security can be found in the Information Hub below or to the right of your screen..
Inspection details
It is very important to ensure Bacs approved bureaux operate to the highest standards. Every applicant wishing to become a Bacs approved bureau must undergo and pass an inspection review covering risk assessment and management in five categories. The Bacs Approved Bureau Scheme support guidelines - inspection process gives inspection details together with fees applicable for both new and existing approved bureaux. A copy of these guidelines can be found in the Information Hub below or to the right of your screen..
Further information
For further details about the Bacs approved bureaux approval, security or inspection processes please contact the Bacs Approved Bureau team.