Force create account?

[gjh42]

It is not possible to complete checkout without having an account created.

However, if you are using Paypal Express Checkout or something else that offers "checkout without account", the customer can avoid signing up manually. Their account is created in the background when Paypal sends back the confirmation, and it may be possible that you won't get some of the information you would like to collect.

What checkout options do you have enabled?

There is in admin > Configuration > Customer Details >
Customer Shop Status - View Shop and Prices

Customer must be approved to shop
0= Not required
1= Must login to browse
2= May browse but no prices unless logged in
3= Showroom Only

Also another similar setting under another tab, which I will have to look some more to find...

[gjh42]

That would be Configuration > My Store > Store Status, but it won't do anything useful for you:

Store Status
What is your Store Status
0= Normal Store
1= Showcase no prices
2= Showcase with prices

[illusive101]

Actually there is a way.

Go to Configuration --> Customer Details then Customer Approval Status and set this to 3.

Customer Approval Status - Authorization Pending
Customer must be Authorized to shop
0= Not required
1= Must be Authorized to Browse
2= May browse but no prices unless Authorized
3= Customer May Browse and May see Prices but Must be Authorized to Buy.

[gjh42]

You're right, that would do exactly the right job.
Only one thing - you will have to manually approve each customer after they create an account before they can buy. No creating an account and immediately checking out.