What is a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
Every company incorporated in Singapore must appoint a qualified corporate secretary within six months of incorporation — a mandatory requirement under the Companies Act (Cap. 50). The corporate secretary ensures your company stays compliant with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) at all times.
Key Responsibilities
- Filing Annual Returns with ACRA on time
- Maintaining statutory registers (members, directors, charges)
- Organising and minuting board meetings, AGMs, and EGMs
- Filing changes to directors, shareholders, and company address
- Handling share transfers and issuing share certificates
- Ensuring compliance with the Companies Act
Qualifications Required
Under Section 171 of the Companies Act, the corporate secretary must be a natural person ordinarily resident in Singapore and hold one of: ISCA membership, SAICSA membership, legal qualification, or have held the secretary role at a public company for 3+ of the last 5 years.
Annual Return Filing Deadlines
Annual Returns must be filed within 5 months (listed companies) or 7 months (non-listed companies) of your financial year end. Late penalties start from S$300.
Cost of Corporate Secretary Services
Annual fees range from S$300–S$600 (basic) to S$1,500+ (full-service). Halynce Advisory’s package starts from S$400/year, covering all statutory filings and ACRA updates.
Can the Director Be the Secretary?
No. A sole director cannot serve as corporate secretary simultaneously. You must appoint a separate qualified individual.
Why Outsource?
Outsourcing is cost-effective, ensures expert compliance management, and eliminates the risk of missed deadlines. Most Singapore SMEs and startups choose this approach over hiring in-house.
View our Corporate Secretary services or contact us for a free consultation.