- What is a Corporate Secretary?
- Who can be a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
- What are the Responsibilities of a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
- What are the Qualifications and Experience Required for a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
- What are the Benefits of Hiring a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is a Corporate Secretary?
A corporate secretary is a person appointed by a company to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations. The corporate secretary is also responsible for maintaining the company’s records and registers, and for convening and attending meetings of the board of directors and shareholders.
Who can be a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
To be a corporate secretary in Singapore, you must be:
- A natural person
- Ordinarily resident in Singapore
- Have at least three years of work experience as a secretary of a company (unless you are a qualified accountant or lawyer)
A sole director or shareholder cannot be appointed as a corporate secretary.
What are the Responsibilities of a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
The responsibilities of a corporate secretary in Singapore include:
- Advising the board of directors on corporate governance matters
- Ensuring that the company complies with all applicable laws and regulations
- Maintaining the company’s records and registers
- Preparing and filing statutory documents with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
- Acting as a liaison between the company and its shareholders and other stakeholders
What are the Qualifications and Experience Required for a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
In addition to the residency requirements mentioned above, corporate secretaries in Singapore should have a good understanding of the following:
- Singapore company law and regulations
- Corporate governance principles
- Administrative and secretarial procedures
- Financial reporting
Corporate secretaries should also have good communication and interpersonal skills.
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Corporate Secretary in Singapore?
There are many benefits to hiring a corporate secretary in Singapore, including:
- Reduced risk of non-compliance: A corporate secretary can help you to ensure that your company complies with all applicable laws and regulations, which can help to reduce your risk of fines and penalties.
- Increased efficiency: A corporate secretary can take care of all of your company’s administrative and secretarial tasks, such as preparing and filing statutory documents and convening and attending meetings, freeing up your time to focus on running your business.
- Improved corporate governance: A corporate secretary can help you to implement and maintain good corporate governance practices, which can help to improve your company’s reputation and attract investors.
Conclusion
Hiring a corporate secretary is a smart investment for any company, regardless of size or industry. A corporate secretary can help you to save time and money, reduce your risk of non-compliance, and improve your corporate governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a corporate secretary in Singapore?
All companies in Singapore are required to appoint a corporate secretary within six months of incorporation. The corporate secretary is responsible for ensuring that the company complies with all applicable laws and regulations, and for maintaining the company’s records and registers.
Who can be a corporate secretary in Singapore?
To be a corporate secretary in Singapore, you must be a natural person who is ordinarily resident in Singapore and has at least three years of work experience as a secretary of a company (unless you are a qualified accountant or lawyer). A sole director or shareholder cannot be appointed as a corporate secretary.
How do I find a good corporate secretary in Singapore?
There are a number of ways to find a good corporate secretary in Singapore. You can ask for recommendations from other businesses, or search for corporate secretary services online, including using our Corporate Secretarial Service.
We assist your company to comply with the Act, and cover the following:
- Provision of a nominee company secretary
- Maintaining the Company’s statutory registers and records
- Advising on matters which require notification to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and effect such notification upon being in possession of the relevant facts from you
- Sending reminder letters on the due date of Annual General Meeting and Annual Return of your Company
- Making available the statutory registers and records for inspection by the Company’s auditors or other designated persons upon instruction by you
- Preparation of Annual General Meeting (AGM) documents
- Filing of statutory returns and other necessary documents with the ACRA