You’re building a business. Your focus is on your product, your customers, and your vision for the future. The intricacies of ACRA compliance can feel like a distraction—a complex chore you just have to get through.
But what if you thought about compliance differently?
For Singapore’s most successful founders, compliance isn’t a hurdle. It’s a foundation. A well-managed, fully compliant company is a valuable, respected company. It’s a business built to last.
This guide isn’t just a list of rules. It’s your roadmap for mastering the system with confidence.
Navigating your company’s first year can feel complex. This timeline breaks down your key ACRA obligations into simple, manageable steps.
Your company is officially born. Your key documents are your Certificate of Incorporation and Company Constitution.
You must establish your company’s official internal records, most notably the Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC).
Companies must appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation, and the position cannot be vacant for more than 6 months at any time. The secretary must be a Singapore resident and qualified under the Companies Act.
This crucial date marks the end of your company’s financial year and sets the clock for all future filing deadlines.
For most private companies, an AGM is no longer mandatory unless required by your Constitution. If needed, it must take place within 6 months of your Financial Year End (FYE). Otherwise, resolutions can be circulated electronically.
You must file your Annual Return with ACRA within 7 months of your FYE. This confirms your company’s details are current.
Understanding these five core pillars is the key to running a tight ship and avoiding common pitfalls.
A Company Secretary is your company’s chief compliance officer. They are legally responsible for managing ACRA filings, maintaining records, and ensuring you don’t miss critical deadlines.
Pro Tip: A company’s sole director cannot also act as the Company Secretary. This is a common compliance trap that catches many new founders.
These are your company’s official internal records (e.g., RORC, Register of Members). They track who owns the company and who runs it. Keeping these accurate isn’t just good practice; it’s the law.
Pro Tip: Every time you make a change—like issuing new shares or changing a director’s address—your registers must be updated immediately.
The AGM is traditionally the yearly event where a company’s financial statements and key updates are presented to shareholders.
For most private companies in Singapore, however, an AGM is no longer legally required unless it’s stated in the company’s Constitution, a shareholder requests it, or the company chooses to hold one.
Instead, most businesses simply circulate and sign the necessary resolutions electronically — a quicker and more efficient process.
Pro Tip: Even if exempt, you must still file your Annual Return on time and keep shareholders informed. Holding a paper AGM remains an option if your Constitution or shareholders prefer it.
This is not your tax return. The Annual Return is a mandatory filing with ACRA to confirm your company’s key information, including directors, shareholders, and registered office address.
It’s a public snapshot of your company’s structure. For most private companies in Singapore, the AR must be filed within seven months of your Financial Year End (FYE), even if your company is exempt from holding an AGM.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute. Setting reminders and preparing documents early helps you avoid late filing penalties and ensures your company stays in good standing with ACRA.
A resolution is the formal, written record of a company’s major decision. Whether appointing a director or changing the company name, the decision must be documented and signed to be legally valid.
Pro Tip: There are different types of resolutions (e.g., Ordinary vs. Special) that require different voting majorities. Using the correct format is vital.
For decades, compliance meant physical binders, manual deadline tracking, and endless email chains to get a simple resolution signed. It was a system built on manual work and anxiety.
Today, there is a better way.
The modern approach leverages technology to achieve flawless compliance with minimal effort. It means having a single, secure digital platform for all your records. It means automating deadline reminders. Most importantly, it means using intelligent systems that guide you through changes to ensure they are done right the first time.
This shift transforms compliance from a source of stress into a well-managed system that runs quietly in the background, freeing you to focus on what matters.
Learn how our blend of proactive AI and dedicated human expertise is setting a new standard for corporate secretarial services.
You’ve mastered the playbook. Now, imagine never having to worry about it again.
The most successful founders know their time is their most valuable asset. Let our AI and expert team handle the complexities of compliance, so you can pour 100% of your energy into growth.
We’ll ensure your foundation is solid, your deadlines are met, and your records are flawless—always.
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