What is a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
Every company incorporated in Singapore must appoint a qualified corporate secretary within six months of incorporation. This is a mandatory legal requirement under the Companies Act (Cap. 50). The corporate secretary plays a critical role in ensuring your company stays compliant with ACRA regulations.
Unlike an ordinary administrator, a corporate secretary must be a natural person ordinarily resident in Singapore with the qualifications required under the Companies Act.
Key Responsibilities of a Corporate Secretary
A Singapore corporate secretary handles a wide range of statutory duties:
- Filing annual returns with ACRA within prescribed deadlines
- Maintaining statutory registers including register of members, directors, and charges
- Organising and minuting board meetings, AGMs, and EGMs
- Ensuring compliance with the Companies Act
- Handling share transfers and updating the shareholder register
- Filing changes to directors, shareholders, and company address with ACRA
Qualifications Required
Under Section 171 of the Companies Act, the corporate secretary must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)
- Member of the Singapore Association of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (SAICSA)
- A qualified solicitor or barrister
- A person who held the office of secretary of a public company for at least 3 of the past 5 years
Annual Return Filing Deadlines
Your corporate secretary must file the Annual Return with ACRA within 5 months (listed companies) or 7 months (non-listed companies) of your financial year end. Late filing attracts penalties starting from S$300.
Corporate Secretary Costs in Singapore
Annual fees typically range from S$300 for basic services to S$1,500+ for full-service packages. Halynce Advisory’s corporate secretary package starts from S$400 per year, covering all statutory filings and ACRA updates.
Can the Director Be the Corporate Secretary?
No. A sole director cannot simultaneously serve as corporate secretary. If your company has only one director, you must appoint a separate qualified secretary.
Why Outsource Your Corporate Secretary?
Outsourcing corporate secretary services saves costs, ensures expertise, manages deadlines automatically, and scales with your business. Most Singapore SMEs and startups choose this approach over hiring in-house.
Learn more about our Corporate Secretary services or contact us for a free consultation.