The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is the SIA’s voluntary accreditation programme for companies providing security services. It signals to clients that your business meets independently assessed standards. But with assessment costs and ongoing compliance requirements, is it worth the investment?
What ACS Involves
To achieve ACS status, your company undergoes a comprehensive assessment covering operational procedures, staff management, training, health and safety, and compliance. An independent assessor reviews your documentation, interviews staff, and inspects your operations against a detailed scoring matrix.
You need to achieve a minimum score across all assessment areas, with no critical failures. The accreditation lasts three years, with a mid-term review to ensure standards are maintained.
The Business Benefits
ACS-accredited companies can display the SIA Approved Contractor logo, which carries significant weight in procurement. Many local authorities and large corporate clients now require ACS status as a minimum qualification for tendering. The Buy With Confidence scheme and some insurance providers also offer preferential terms to ACS companies.
Beyond contract wins, the assessment process itself often highlights operational improvements. Companies regularly report that preparing for ACS helped them professionalise their processes, improve staff retention, and reduce client complaints.
The Costs
Assessment fees vary by company size but typically range from £1,500 to £5,000 for the initial assessment, plus ongoing costs for maintaining the standards. Factor in staff time for preparation, documentation updates, and the mid-term review. For most established companies with 20+ guards, the cost is recovered through a single contract win that required ACS status.
Making Your Decision
If you’re bidding for public sector contracts or working with large corporate clients, ACS is effectively essential. For smaller companies focused on local residential or retail work, the investment may be premature. Consider your target market, growth plans, and whether your current processes would pass assessment without significant overhaul.
Ready to modernise your security operations? Request a free demo of TacDesk and see how cloud-based guard management can transform your business.