How to find the right secretary for your Singapore company? (2025)

When registering a company in Singapore, businesses must meet three key requirements:

• Appoint one company director and/or nominee director
• Provide a registered office address in Singapore
• Appoint a company secretary.
Among these, the company secretary plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with Singapore’s legal and regulatory framework.

Failing to appoint a qualified company secretary within the required timeframe can result in a fine of up to SGD 6.

In this article, GLA will walk you through: <ul> <li>The roles and responsibilities of a company secretary in Singapore</li> <li>The legal requirements set by ACRA</li> <li>How to appoint a company secretary for your business</li>

Understanding these key aspects will help businesses stay compliant, operate smoothly, and achieve sustainable growth in Singapore.

What is a corporate secretary? What are the qualifications of a secretary?

A Company Secretary in Singapore is a key individual responsible for ensuring that a business complies with corporate governance, administrative regulations, and legal requirements..

According to Section XNUMX of the Singapore Companies Act, every company in Singapore must appoint a qualified company secretary within six months of incorporation.

Section 171 clearly states:

• The Secretary must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident (PR) or Foreigners can qualify if they hold an EntrePass (Singapore Business Pass)
• Must have relevant knowledge and experience in corporate compliance. For public companies, ACRA requires a secretary to be a qualified professional or registered agent.
• They must advise the board of directors on corporate governance, ensure compliance with Singapore’s legal and regulatory framework and manage administrative tasks such as issuing resolutions and maintaining corporate records

Every company in Singapore must appoint a qualified company secretary. within 6 months from the date of company incorporation.Otherwise, businesses may be subject to a fine of up to SGD 1.000.

2. What does a Singapore company secretary do?

A company secretary plays a crucial role in ensuring that a Singapore company complies with legal and administrative regulations.

Therefore, a qualified company secretary should be able to undertake the following duties, including but not limited to:

2.1. Annual compliance requirements for Singapore companies

• Submit approved Board Resolutions to ACRA.
• Handle legal formalities and corporate updates, such as changes in company name, address, activities, shareholders, and directors.
• Prepare and maintaining the company’s Annual Reports and financial statements with accounting team.
• Submit required reports on time, including Annual Reports, Tax Returns, and Employee Reports.

2.2. Legal registration system administration

• Oversee corporate records and ensure compliance with Singapore’s regulatory requirements (e.g., AGM, EGM, and accounting records).
• Prepare and maintaining the company’s Annual Reports and financial statements with accounting team.
• Arrange Annual Report and company accounts.

2.3. Advisory and governance responsibilities

• Inform stakeholders and monitor timely submission of documents to ACRA, IRAS, MOM, etc.
• Update the board of directors, shareholders, on changes in the law.
• Manage and record personnel changes in the company.
• Oversee the issuance of shares, dividend distributions, and capital adjustments.
• Act in the best interest of the company, identifying and preventing any potential conflicts of interest.

3. Requirements for Singapore company secretary

3.1. Who cannot be a company secretary?

Certain individuals are not eligible to serve as a Singapore company secretary, including:

1. The sole director of the company – A single-director company cannot appoint its sole director as a company secretary. 
2. Individuals banned due to legal violations – Anyone prohibited by law from holding directorship or corporate positions.
3. Those without the necessary qualifications or experience – Lacking the required certifications, degrees, or relevant experience to perform the duties effectively.

3.2. Who is eligible to become a Singapore company secretary?

To become a certified company secretary in Singapore, an individual must meet the compliance criteria under the Singapore Companies Act 1967 (Singapore Companies Act 1967). 

Key requirements include:

• Must be an individual – A company cannot serve as a company secretary; only a person aged 18 or older is eligible.
• Singapore residency status – The secretary must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident (PR), or a holder of an Employment Pass, EntrePass, or other valid work passes.
• Knowledge of Singapore corporate law – A company secretary must have a solid understanding of corporate regulations, compliance laws, and annual filing requirements.

With these standards, corporate secretaries can help businesses comply with legal regulations and maintain legal operating status.

4. Additional requirements for public company secretary in Singapore

For public companies, they must appoint a secretary who meets more stringent standards. A public company secretary must meet at least one of the following:

• At least 3 or 5 years in a previous secretarial role upon appointment.
• An individual qualified under the Legal Profession Act.
• A registered public accountant under the Accountants Act.
• A member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore).
• A member of the Singapore Association of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (Singapore Association of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators).
• A member of the Association of International Accountants.
• A member of the Singapore Institute of Company Accountants.

5. How to appoint a Singapore company secretary

To comply with the regulations, companies can choose to outsource corporate secretarial services to a professional corporate service provider such as GLA, or appoint a secretary themselves (meeting the above requirements).

Below are the steps a Business needs to take when appointing its own secretary:

6. How can GLA help you appoint a reliable secretary for your Singapore company?

With a proven track record of helping thousands of entrepreneurs incorporate their company in Singapore and help them manage sustainably, we know what you need and offer your expert support at the most reasonable price. 

We offer a complete, legal, fast, and transparent (no hidden fee throughout your service) company registration service, including:

GLA can help you

• Advise on the most suitable company type based on your business needs.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements for company incorporation.
• Manage bookkeeping and financial statements according to Singapore standards.
• Assist with corporate bank accounts at licensed physical and digital banks in Singapore, the USA, and Hong Kong.
• Help with business operations, financial management, and consular legalization.

7. FAQs about Singapore company secretary

Highlights

• A company secretary ensures legal compliance and supports corporate governance.
• A corporate secretary is responsible for record-keeping, annual reporting, and regulatory filings with ACRA.
• To become a qualified secretary, he or she must be a Singapore resident (citizen, PR, or EntrePass holder) with relevant qualifications.
• Public companies have stricter requirements than private companies in regard to hiring a company secretary.