TLDR:
- Sleek ranks first for its digital platform, transparent package and broad startup support.
- InCorp Global and BoardRoom suit larger, regional or more complex companies.
- Lanturn, Osome and HeySara provide technology-led options for smaller businesses.
- Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within six months of registration.
- Founders should compare annual-return fees, resolutions, corporate changes and registered-address costs separately.
The best corporate secretarial services in Singapore in 2026 appoint a locally resident company secretary, maintain statutory records, prepare corporate approvals and support filings with ACRA. ACRA states that every company must have at least one director and one company secretary, and the secretary must be appointed within six months of successful registration. Sleek ranks first overall for entrepreneurs because its published package combines a named secretary, annual compliance work, digital records and clear pricing. InCorp Global, BoardRoom and Acclime provide greater depth for regional groups, regulated entities and complex corporate actions.
How were the best corporate secretarial services in Singapore ranked?
The ranking compares statutory coverage, incorporation support, pricing transparency, digital access, international capability and review or scale signals.
Statutory coverage received the highest weight because a corporate secretary must support accurate registers, resolutions, annual-return preparation and changes involving directors, shareholders or share capital.
Foreign-founder support received additional weight because overseas entrepreneurs may need incorporation services in Singapore, a registered office, document certification and a resident nominee director alongside company secretary services in Singapore.
Published ratings and review counts received contextual treatment. Digital providers attract more consumer reviews, while established corporate-services groups rely more heavily on disclosed client numbers, regional coverage, listed-company experience and case studies.
Published starting prices provide an initial comparison, but packages define routine work differently. Government fees, annual-return filing, resolutions, share changes, registered addresses and compliance remediation may be charged separately.
The ranking reflects public information reviewed on 21 August 2026. Prices, ratings, package inclusions and service availability can change.
Which firms offer the best corporate secretarial services in Singapore?
Sleek leads the overall comparison, while the other providers offer stronger fits for particular budgets, company structures and regional requirements.
| Rank | Provider | Best suited to | Main service scope | Price or review signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sleek | Startups and digital-first SMEs | Incorporation, company secretary, annual return, resolutions, registered address, accounting and payroll | Corporate secretary package published from S$350; official site displays 4.5 out of 5 and says the group serves more than 450,000 businesses worldwide |
| 2 | InCorp Global | Growing companies, regional groups and listed entities | Incorporation, corporate secretarial, share registry, tax, accounting, payroll and advisory | InCorp reports more than 8,000 Singapore legal entities and 700-plus new company incorporations annually |
| 3 | BoardRoom | Multinationals, funds and complex corporate groups | Corporate secretarial, entity management, board support, SGX-related work, accounting, tax and payroll | Established Asia-Pacific provider with published corporate and listed-client case studies |
| 4 | Lanturn | Funded startups and SMEs seeking digital access | Incorporation, company secretary, annual return, resolutions, registered address, accounting and tax | Qualifying launch packages are published from S$585 a year; a Growth secretarial plan is listed at S$900 a year before GST |
| 5 | Osome | Small companies wanting app-based administration | Incorporation, company secretary, annual compliance, accounting, tax and registered address | Trustpilot displayed 666 reviews when checked; recent feedback included both positive and critical experiences |
| 6 | 3E Accounting | Cost-conscious SMEs needing broad business support | Company secretary, ACRA filings, incorporation, accounting, tax, immigration and business advisory | Annual company secretary retainer published from S$327 including GST |
| 7 | Hawksford | Foreign-owned companies and multi-country founders | Incorporation, company secretarial, accounting, tax compliance and international entity support | Singapore-led team supports statutory work across more than 70 countries, according to a published team profile |
| 8 | Acclime Singapore | Regional groups, investors and funded businesses | Formation, company secretary, governance, tax, accounting, payroll and transaction support | Asia-focused network with published case studies involving regional groups, SMEs and funded startups |
| 9 | Rikvin | Foreign entrepreneurs seeking an established one-stop provider | Incorporation, company secretary, nominee services, ACRA filings, tax, accounting and immigration | Rikvin states that its Singapore corporate-services experience spans 20 years; current prices require confirmation |
| 10 | HeySara | Small private companies prioritising low entry pricing | Named secretary, statutory registers, AGM documents, reminders, resolutions and registered address | Digital corporate secretary plan published at S$199 a year; annual-return filing is separately listed at S$200 |
The order reflects general suitability for entrepreneurs and foreign business owners. A lower-ranked provider can be the better choice when its service model closely matches the company’s ownership, transaction volume and expansion plans.
Why does Sleek rank first overall?
Sleek ranks first because its digital workflow, published inclusions and integrated startup services create a strong all-round package.
Sleek’s corporate secretary service covers the named secretary, AGM preparation, annual-return preparation and filing, statutory records and common corporate changes. The provider also offers incorporation, registered-address, accounting, tax and payroll services through an online platform.
Sleek publishes corporate secretary pricing from S$350, while a displayed S$650 package includes the S$60 government annual-return fee. Package terms should be checked because promotional and renewal prices can differ.
Sleek displays a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on its corporate secretary page and states that the group serves more than 450,000 businesses worldwide. The scale and digital delivery suit founders who value online access, although complex restructurings may require a separately scoped engagement.
Why is InCorp Global suitable for growing and regional companies?
InCorp Global is suitable for companies that need corporate secretarial work integrated with regional compliance, share-registry or advisory services.
InCorp Global provides incorporation, corporate secretarial and compliance, share registry, accounting, tax, payroll, immigration, risk assurance and family-office services. The breadth supports companies whose needs extend beyond annual filings.
InCorp reports more than 8,000 Singapore legal entities, more than 700 new company incorporations annually and corporate-secretarial experience involving over 100 listed companies. The group also operates across eight Asia-Pacific markets.
InCorp uses quotation-based pricing for many services. The model suits growing businesses and regional groups, while a dormant or simple owner-managed company may prefer a lower-cost fixed package.
Why is BoardRoom suitable for multinational and complex entities?
BoardRoom is suitable for multinational groups, investment structures and companies requiring formal governance support.
BoardRoom provides named company secretaries, statutory-register maintenance, corporate filings, board and committee support, foreign-company registration and entity-management services. The wider group also covers accounting, tax, payroll and regional corporate administration.
BoardRoom publishes experience supporting corporate-secretarial work for businesses including listed and real-estate investment entities. The provider therefore fits organisations that need structured approvals, multi-entity oversight or recurring board support.
BoardRoom generally uses tailored quotations rather than entry-level public pricing. Small companies should confirm the minimum annual engagement and charges for routine transactions.
Why is Lanturn suitable for startups and funded SMEs?
Lanturn is suitable for startups and SMEs that want digital records combined with access to a dedicated corporate-services team.
Lanturn’s plans cover a named company secretary, AGM work, annual-return preparation and up to two standard resolutions a year. The platform also supports incorporation, accounting, tax, payroll, nominee-director and registered-address services.
Lanturn publishes qualifying launch packages from S$585 a year for businesses with up to three employees and shareholders and no corporate shareholder. A Growth corporate secretary plan is listed at S$900 a year before GST.
Company structure affects eligibility and due-diligence charges. Founders with corporate shareholders or more than eight shareholders or employees should expect a different scope or additional fees.
Why is Osome suitable for app-based business administration?
Osome is suitable for small companies that prefer chat-based document handling and bundled accounting or compliance services.
Osome offers company incorporation, corporate secretarial support, annual compliance, accounting, tax and registered-address services. The digital model gives overseas founders a central channel for documents and routine requests.
Trustpilot displayed 666 reviews for Osome when checked. Recent reviews included praise for onboarding alongside criticism involving response times, document transfers, pricing and deadline management, so the volume should be considered with the substance of current feedback.
Osome can fit straightforward companies that establish clear service expectations. Time-sensitive or unusual work should have a written deadline, named owner and confirmed fee before the engagement begins.
Why is 3E Accounting suitable for cost-conscious SMEs?
3E Accounting is suitable for SMEs seeking an affordable company secretary alongside accounting, tax and incorporation support.
3E Accounting’s routine service includes appointing a qualified secretary, monitoring statutory dates, maintaining company records and preparing and filing the annual return with ACRA. The firm separately offers incorporation, accounting, audit, tax, immigration and business-advisory services.
3E Accounting publishes an annual company secretary retainer from S$327 including GST. Non-routine work involving changes to directors, shareholders or company structure is charged separately.
The low published retainer supports price-sensitive businesses, but founders should calculate the annual cost after adding the required filings and corporate changes.
Why is Hawksford suitable for international founders?
Hawksford is suitable for international founders who need Singapore incorporation and compliance coordinated with other jurisdictions.
Hawksford provides company incorporation, company secretarial work, accounting, tax compliance and other statutory services. A published Singapore team profile states that the relevant team supports work across more than 70 countries.
Hawksford can therefore suit foreign-owned groups with entities or reporting obligations in several markets. The provider uses tailored pricing, so a proposal should distinguish Singapore work from overseas coordination and third-party charges.
Why is Acclime Singapore suitable for regional expansion?
Acclime Singapore is suitable for regional businesses that need formation, governance and operational support across Asia.
Acclime Singapore provides business registration, company secretary, corporate governance, accounting, tax compliance, payroll, virtual CFO and advisory services. The group positions its Singapore operation as part of a broader Asia-focused network.
Acclime publishes case studies involving regional groups, funded startups and transactions requiring more than routine annual compliance. The service model can suit companies preparing for investment rounds, acquisitions or multi-market expansion.
Acclime does not centre its public offering on low-cost fixed retainers. Small companies should compare the proposed governance support with their actual level of complexity.
Why is Rikvin suitable for foreign entrepreneurs?
Rikvin is suitable for foreign entrepreneurs seeking incorporation, nominee and ongoing compliance services from one provider.
Rikvin offers company incorporation, company secretary, nominee director, registered address, annual-return filing, accounting, tax, payroll and immigration support. The provider states that its Singapore corporate-services experience spans 20 years.
Rikvin’s routine secretarial scope includes appointing a secretary, sending statutory reminders and maintaining company records. Non-routine changes and attendance at formal meetings are billed separately.
Rikvin is part of the InCorp group, so prospective clients should clarify the contracting entity, delivery team and relationship between the two brands.
Why is HeySara suitable for small private companies?
HeySara is suitable for digitally confident small businesses that want a low published starting price and modular services.
HeySara’s Digital Corporate Secretary package includes a named secretary, company-register maintenance, AGM documents, filing reminders and general compliance guidance. The S$199 plan is limited to exempt private companies with no more than three individual shareholders or directors.
HeySara separately lists annual-return filing at S$200, including the S$60 ACRA filing fee but excluding penalties. Registered-address service, record restoration, nominee-register work and corporate changes can add to the total.
The modular model offers pricing visibility, but the S$199 headline figure should not be compared directly with packages that already include the annual return and corporate resolutions.
What does a Singapore company secretary do?
A company secretary supports statutory compliance, corporate records, formal approvals and communication with ACRA.
| Responsibility | Typical work | Evidence or output |
|---|---|---|
| Officer appointment | Provide an eligible locally resident individual and lodge appointment details | Updated Bizfile record and consent documentation |
| Statutory registers | Maintain registers of officers, members, controllers and relevant nominee arrangements | Current electronic or physical registers |
| Board approvals | Prepare resolutions for accounts, banking, contracts and corporate changes | Signed directors’ resolutions and meeting minutes |
| Shareholder approvals | Prepare meeting notices, resolutions and voting records | Signed shareholder resolutions or minutes |
| Annual compliance | Review company particulars and prepare the annual return | Filed annual return and acknowledgement |
| Corporate changes | Document changes involving directors, shareholders, addresses or share capital | Resolutions, supporting documents and ACRA filings |
| Governance guidance | Explain procedural requirements under the Companies Act and constitution | Written guidance and compliance calendar |
| Record custody | Organise the constitution, registers, resolutions and share certificates | Complete statutory record set |
The directors retain responsibility for the company even when an external provider performs the secretarial work.
What are the legal requirements for a company secretary in Singapore?
ACRA requires every company to appoint an eligible company secretary within six months of successful registration.
| Requirement | Current rule | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | A secretary must be appointed within six months of successful registration | Incorporation packages often include the first year of secretarial service |
| Vacancy | The position cannot remain empty for more than six months | ACRA states that a director may face a fine of up to S$1,000 for non-compliance |
| Residency | The secretary must satisfy Singapore’s local residency rules | Overseas founders usually appoint a locally based professional |
| Sole director | A sole director cannot also serve as company secretary | A one-director company needs a separate individual for the secretary role |
| Annual returns | All companies must file annual returns with ACRA on time | ACRA states that late filing can lead to penalties of up to S$600, depending on the default |
| Corporate service provider | A business providing company formation or ACRA filing services to clients must register as a CSP under the CSP Act 2024 | Bizfile’s entity search can be used to check a provider’s CSP status |
Public companies face additional qualification requirements for their company secretaries. Private-company founders should still assess professional experience because the statutory role involves more than placing a name on the company record.
What should company incorporation services in Singapore include?
A complete incorporation package should identify every formation document, government fee and post-registration service.
| Component | Expected scope | Common pricing issue |
|---|---|---|
| Name application | Search, reservation and follow-up on referrals | ACRA name fee may be separate |
| Company registration | Preparation and submission of incorporation details through Bizfile | ACRA registration fee may be separate or included |
| Constitution | Standard constitution or reviewed custom document | Custom drafting normally costs extra |
| Directors and shareholders | Collection of particulars, consents and ownership details | Complex corporate shareholders increase due diligence |
| Registered office | Singapore address for official correspondence and records | Mail scanning and forwarding can be separate |
| Company secretary | Appointment of an eligible locally resident secretary | Renewal may begin after a discounted first year |
| Resident director | Nominee-director service when required | Security deposits and indemnities can materially increase cost |
| Initial resolutions | Banking, share issuance and first-year administrative approvals | Some packages limit the number of resolutions |
| Statutory registers | Creation of required officer, member, controller and nominee records | Remediation of incomplete historic records may cost extra |
| Banking support | Preparation of resolutions and introductions where offered | Bank approval is not guaranteed |
ACRA allows a local company to be registered through Bizfile by an eligible individual or an engaged CSP. ACRA states that all foreign businesses must engage a CSP to register their business in Singapore.
How much do corporate secretarial services cost in Singapore?
Published basic retainers commonly begin around S$199 to S$900 a year, while complex governance work requires a tailored quotation.
| Provider | Published price signal | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| HeySara | S$199 a year for its Digital Corporate Secretary plan | Annual-return filing is separately listed at S$200 |
| 3E Accounting | From S$327 including GST a year | Non-routine changes are separately charged |
| Sleek | From S$350; a displayed S$650 package includes the annual return and S$60 government fee | Package and renewal terms should be checked |
| Lanturn | Qualifying launch package from S$585; Growth plan at S$900 before GST | Eligibility depends on employee, shareholder and ownership limits |
| Osome | Package pricing varies by current promotion and bundled services | Accounting, address and nominee services affect total cost |
| InCorp Global | Quotation required | Scope can extend to listed companies and regional groups |
| BoardRoom | Quotation required | Multi-entity and board support affect fees |
| Hawksford | Quotation required | Overseas coordination can add separate costs |
| Acclime Singapore | Quotation required | Advisory and transaction support are outside routine compliance |
| Rikvin | Current public pricing requires confirmation | Non-routine work is charged separately |
The annual retainer is only one cost component. A meaningful comparison includes ACRA fees, annual-return filing, resolutions, share transfers, allotments, officer changes, registered-address service, nominee-director service and record remediation.
How should entrepreneurs compare corporate secretarial firms?
Entrepreneurs should compare the full annual workload, assigned team and exception fees before selecting a provider.
- Confirm CSP registration. ACRA’s Bizfile entity search should show whether a provider that performs regulated corporate services is registered as a CSP.
- Map the company structure. The comparison should identify every director, shareholder, corporate owner, beneficial owner and overseas connection.
- List expected transactions. Planned fundraising, share transfers, director changes and overseas expansion affect the required secretarial workload.
- Compare package inclusions. Annual returns, government fees, AGM documents and routine resolutions should appear as separate line items.
- Check exception fees. The provider should disclose charges for share allotments, register updates, late work, document certification and offboarding.
- Identify the assigned secretary. The engagement should name the responsible individual or explain how responsibility is allocated within the team.
- Test response arrangements. The provider should state communication channels, usual response standards and escalation contacts.
- Review data access. Directors should retain practical access to registers, resolutions, the constitution and filing acknowledgements.
- Examine renewal pricing. First-year incorporation promotions should be compared with the second-year recurring cost.
- Read the engagement terms. The final agreement should define scope, exclusions, termination, record transfer and liability.
What is the difference between a company secretary and a corporate service provider?
A company secretary holds a statutory officer role, while a corporate service provider supplies regulated business services to clients.
| Term | Meaning | Typical responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Company secretary | The natural person appointed as the company’s secretary | Support records, approvals, filings and governance procedures |
| Corporate service provider | A registered business that provides specified corporate services under the CSP Act 2024 | Deliver formation, filing, address or related services to clients |
| Registered qualified individual | A qualified person appointed within a registered CSP framework | Supervise or perform regulated corporate-service work |
| Filing agent | An older term still used on some provider websites and materials | Lodge transactions with ACRA on a client’s behalf |
| Director | The officer responsible for directing and managing the company | Approve decisions and remain accountable for company compliance |
Outsourcing does not transfer directors’ statutory responsibilities to the service provider.
When does a company need more than a basic secretary package?
A company needs broader support when its ownership, financing, regulation or transaction activity exceeds routine annual compliance.
A fundraising round can require share allotments, shareholder approvals, amended registers, new share certificates and updates to beneficial-ownership records. A package containing only the annual return may exclude most of that work.
A regional group can require coordinated board calendars, intercompany approvals, foreign-subsidiary records and reporting across several jurisdictions. BoardRoom, InCorp Global, Hawksford and Acclime provide service models designed for broader regional administration.
A regulated, listed or investment entity can require experienced governance professionals, board attendance and specialist registers. Provider selection should prioritise relevant entity experience over the lowest retainer.
What do anonymised founder scenarios show?
Three anonymised scenarios show how company structure changes the appropriate provider.
Scenario 1: A solo local consultant. A Singapore-based founder incorporated a private company with one director, one shareholder and no planned fundraising. A fixed-price digital package covered the named secretary, registers and annual return without unnecessary regional services.
Scenario 2: An overseas technology founder. A foreign founder needed incorporation, a registered office, resident-director support, accounting and an Employment Pass application. A one-stop provider reduced coordination, but the founder compared the nominee-director deposit and renewal fee separately from the advertised incorporation price.
Scenario 3: A regional group entering Singapore. An overseas corporation established a Singapore subsidiary with corporate shareholders and recurring board approvals. A regional provider offered stronger entity management and cross-border coordination than a basic startup package.
The scenarios are illustrative and do not predict service quality or regulatory outcomes.
How can a company switch corporate secretary providers?
A company can switch providers by reviewing its records, approving the change and lodging the updated appointment with ACRA.
- Check the existing agreement. The company should identify notice periods, unpaid invoices, termination fees and document-transfer terms.
- Obtain the statutory records. The transfer set should include the constitution, registers, resolutions, minutes, share certificates and filing acknowledgements.
- Complete a record review. The incoming provider should identify missing documents, overdue filings and inconsistent company particulars.
- Approve the change. The directors should pass the required resolution to remove or accept the resignation of the outgoing secretary and appoint the replacement.
- Secure consent to act. The incoming secretary should complete the applicable appointment documentation.
- Update ACRA. The required officer change should be lodged through Bizfile within the applicable filing period.
- Confirm custody and access. Directors should receive confirmation that the new provider holds a complete record set and has updated its compliance calendar.
Record remediation may involve an additional fee when previous registers, resolutions or ownership records are incomplete.
What warning signs should business owners watch for?
Business owners should watch for unclear inclusions, inaccessible records, weak escalation procedures and unusually low headline prices.
A low annual fee can exclude the annual return, government charges, resolutions and routine corporate changes. A complete quotation should show the realistic first-year and renewal totals.
A provider should not prevent directors from accessing their company’s constitution, registers, resolutions or filing records. Controlled digital access reduces disruption when the company changes providers, raises funds or undergoes due diligence.
A sales representative cannot substitute for the professional responsible for compliance work. The engagement should identify a service owner and escalation route for urgent matters.
A provider should never guarantee incorporation, bank-account opening, nominee-director acceptance or an Employment Pass outcome because external authorities and institutions make those decisions.
What are the frequently asked questions about corporate secretarial services in Singapore?
The answers below address common questions about appointments, incorporation, pricing and provider changes.
Does every Singapore company need a company secretary?
Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within six months of successful registration.
Can a sole director act as the company secretary?
A sole director cannot also hold the company secretary position in the same company.
Can a foreigner become a Singapore company secretary?
A foreign national can serve only when the individual satisfies Singapore’s applicable local residency requirements.
What happens if the secretary position remains vacant?
ACRA states that the position cannot remain empty for more than six months and that the director may face a fine of up to S$1,000.
What is the best corporate secretary in Singapore for a startup?
Sleek ranks first overall in this comparison, while Lanturn, Osome, 3E Accounting and HeySara offer alternative startup-focused service models.
What is the best provider for a regional company?
InCorp Global, BoardRoom, Hawksford and Acclime Singapore provide relevant regional and multi-entity capabilities.
Does a secretary package include the annual return?
Package treatment varies because some providers include preparation, filing and the government fee while others charge one or more components separately.
Does a corporate secretary prepare company accounts or tax returns?
A corporate secretary package does not automatically include bookkeeping, financial statements or IRAS filings unless the engagement expressly includes those services.
Can a company change its corporate secretary?
A company can change its secretary by completing the required corporate approvals, appointing an eligible replacement and updating ACRA.
How long does Singapore company incorporation take?
Processing times vary because name referrals, regulated activities, due diligence and incomplete documents can delay registration.
Do foreign founders need a resident director?
A Singapore company must have at least one director who satisfies ACRA’s ordinary-residence requirement.
Is the cheapest corporate secretary usually the best choice?
The cheapest retainer may be suitable for a simple company, but the total cost depends on annual-return fees, resolutions, changes, registered-address services and support quality.