If you are reading this, you probably just realized that in Singapore, a corporate secretarial service isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a legal mandate. Under Section 171 of the Companies Act, you have six months from incorporation to find one.
But here is the truth most firms won’t tell you: The wrong choice can cost you more than their annual fee. Between ACRA’s $1,000 “vacant office” penalties and the $300+ late filing fees that stack up daily, a “cheap but slow” secretary is actually the most expensive mistake you can make. Here is how to navigate the market and find a partner that actually protects your company.
1. Stop Paying for “Manual Labor”
The biggest divide in the Singapore market right now is between Traditional Firms and Digital-First Providers.
- The Traditional Way: You email your secretary. They take three days to reply. They mail you physical papers to sign. You scan them back. Something gets lost in an inbox. You get an ACRA fine.
- The Modern Way (AI-Powered): Everything happens in a portal. Resolutions are generated instantly. You sign digitally.
The Tip: Ask the firm, “Do you have a 24/7 client portal?” If the answer is no, you are paying for their inefficiency. Modern firms like Tianlong use automation to keep costs at $200–$260/year because we don’t waste time on manual data entry—and you shouldn’t have to pay for it.
2. The “Hidden Fee” Trap
Many providers lure you in with a low “Starting From” price, only to hit you with:
- $50 for every board resolution.
- $100 for a change of address.
- “Disbursement fees” for postage you didn’t ask for.
The Strategy: Look for Transparent, Fixed Pricing. You want a secretary who offers a comprehensive annual package. If they can’t give you a straight answer on what a Director change or a Share transfer costs, walk away.
3. Verify the “RFA” Status
In Singapore, you should only work with a Registered Filing Agent (RFA). This means they are regulated by ACRA and have the authority to file on your behalf.
- Why it matters: If an unregistered “freelancer” messes up your filings, the legal liability falls entirely on you as the Director. An RFA has professional accountability.
4. Can They Scale With You?
A secretary who only knows how to file an Annual Return is fine for a dormant company. But if you plan to raise venture capital, issue employee stock options (ESOP), or expand internationally, you need a team that understands corporate governance.
- The FOMO Factor: Imagine losing a $500k investment because your statutory registers were messy and failed the investor’s due diligence. It happens more often than you think.
The Bottom Line
Don’t treat this as an administrative chore. Treat it as risk management.
You need a secretary who stays in the background, keeps the “ACRA wolves” away from your door, and provides a digital vault for your most important documents. If your current secretary feels like an anchor slowing you down, it’s time to upgrade to a digital-first solution.
Ready to stop worrying about deadlines? See how Tianlong automates your Singapore compliance for just $200/year.
Direct & Clear FAQs (The “No-Nonsense” Section)
Q: Can I be my own Company Secretary? A: Only if you are not the sole director. If your company has only one director, you must appoint a separate person as secretary. Also, the secretary must be a local Singapore resident.
Q: What happens if I miss the 6-month deadline to appoint one? A: You are breaking the law. ACRA can fine the company and the directors personally. It also makes your company look “high-risk” to banks and future investors.
Q: My current secretary is too slow. Is it hard to switch? A: No. It’s a myth that switching is hard. A good provider (like us) handles the entire transition. We notify your old secretary, collect the books, and update ACRA. You just sign one digital document.
Q: Is “AI-powered” really safe for legal documents? A: It’s actually safer. Human secretaries forget dates; algorithms don’t. AI ensures that your resolutions follow the exact wording required by the Companies Act every single time, without typos or missed clauses.
