Every Singapore company must have a company secretary, and for a founder who lives abroad that person can’t be you. This short guide covers who can act, when one must be appointed, what the job involves and how to choose a provider, from ACRA’s guidance and the Companies Act, checked in November 2026. It sits alongside our guide to Singapore company registration for foreigners.
Who can be the secretary
- An individual, not a company. The Companies Act requires a natural person whose principal or only place of residence is in Singapore. (Hong Kong differs: its secretary can be a Hong Kong company.)
- Someone who lives in Singapore. ACRA’s list is citizens, permanent residents and people who meet the local residency rules. Employment Pass holders must first seek a Letter of Consent from the Ministry of Manpower.
- Not a sole director. ACRA says the secretary can’t be “the same person as the sole director.” The bar applies only to a sole director, so in a company with two or more directors, one of them can usually also act.
Sources: ACRA: appointing directors and key officers · ACRA: local residency requirements · Companies Act 1967, s.171
When you must have one
Within six months of incorporation. The office can’t then be left empty for more than six months at a time; ACRA says the director may face a fine of up to S$1,000 otherwise.
Changes must be reported to ACRA within 14 days. Most need the position holder’s endorsement within the same period, and appointing or withdrawing a foreigner has to go through a corporate service provider. ACRA lists a fine of up to S$5,000, plus default penalties for each officer in default.
Sources: ACRA: position holders · ACRA: common offences
Qualifications
For a private company there is no fixed qualification. The directors must take all reasonable steps to make sure the secretary appears to have the knowledge and experience the job needs. Public companies have prescribed routes, such as several years’ experience as a secretary, or being a lawyer, public accountant or member of the Chartered Secretaries Institute.
Sources: Companies Act 1967, s.171 · Companies Regulations
What the secretary does
ACRA says company secretaries “help the company to comply with its requirements”:
- maintaining the company’s information and registers;
- organising meetings and taking notes;
- reminding directors of annual filing deadlines;
- keeping everyone up to date on new rules.
In the Companies Act a secretary counts as an officer of the company, so penalties for defaults can reach them too. The directors stay responsible for the company’s compliance; a good secretary keeps them on track but doesn’t replace them. See nominee directors explained for how the resident director differs.
Sources: ACRA: appointing directors and key officers · Companies Act 1967, s.4
If you live abroad
You’ll usually hire a provider. Acting as or arranging a company secretary for others falls under “role services”, one of the six services that require registration with ACRA as a corporate service provider since 9 June 2025. Check any provider on Bizfile’s entity search before you sign, and ask for the yearly fee and exactly what it covers. See how to choose a company formation agent.
Sources: ACRA: who must register as a CSP · ACRA: corporate service providers
An example
Invented for illustration. Noor lives in Kuala Lumpur and is a director of a Singapore company with a nominee resident director. Five months after incorporation she notices no secretary has been appointed. Her corporate service provider, registered with ACRA, names a Singapore-based secretary, who accepts; the board appoints them inside the six months, and the change is reported to ACRA within 14 days. The secretary then sets up the registers and sends Noor the first year’s deadlines.
Need a company secretary in Singapore?
Our Singapore partner provides the company secretary and registered address, along with the registration, any nominee director, accounting and tax. We help with the bank account and keep the yearly filings on time.
Singapore company formationFrequently asked questions
Does every Singapore company need a company secretary?
Yes. A company must appoint one within six months of incorporation, and the office can’t be left vacant for more than six months at a time.
Can a foreigner be a company secretary in Singapore?
Only if their principal or only place of residence is in Singapore. ACRA’s list is citizens, permanent residents and people who meet the local residency rules; Employment Pass holders must first seek a Letter of Consent from the Ministry of Manpower.
Can a director also be the company secretary in Singapore?
Not a sole director. The bar applies only where the person is the company’s sole director, so with two or more directors, one can usually act as secretary if they live in Singapore.
Can a company be a company secretary in Singapore?
No. The Companies Act requires an individual. Corporate service providers arrange for a named person to act.
Do I need qualifications to be a secretary of a private company?
No fixed qualification. The directors must take all reasonable steps to make sure the secretary appears to have the knowledge and experience needed. Public companies have prescribed qualifications.
General information for internationally mobile founders, not tax, legal or immigration advice for your situation. Rules and fees change; confirm your position with a qualified adviser in each country involved before acting.