It's the Law
Under Section 171 of the Companies Act, every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The secretary must be a natural person who ordinarily resides in Singapore. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to S$5,000.
What Does a Corporate Secretary Do?
A corporate secretary is the guardian of your company's statutory compliance. Key responsibilities include:
- Maintaining statutory registers (members, directors, secretaries, charges)
- Filing annual returns with ACRA
- Preparing and filing resolutions and minutes
- Ensuring the company holds its AGM within the required timeline
- Advising directors on their legal obligations
- Managing changes in company structure (new directors, share transfers, address changes)
Why Startups Often Overlook This
In the early days, founders are focused on product and revenue. Corporate compliance feels like a back-office chore. But neglecting it creates real risks:
- ACRA penalties for late filings (up to S$600 per instance)
- Director disqualification for repeated non-compliance
- Due diligence failures when raising funds — investors check your corporate hygiene
- Complications during M&A or company restructuring
Choosing the Right Provider
Look for a corporate secretary who:
- Has experience with startups and understands your pace
- Provides proactive reminders for deadlines
- Offers a digital-first approach (no chasing paperwork)
- Bundles services — incorporation + corp sec + accounting saves time and money
Accuro's Corporate Secretary Plans
Our plans start from S$400/year and include annual returns filing, AGM preparation, maintenance of statutory records, and unlimited advisory on routine corporate matters. For startups incorporating with us, a 1-year corp sec plan is included at no extra charge. Learn more.