Corporate Secretarial, Accounting, and Payroll Services in Hong Kong
Corporate Secretarial, Accounting, and Payroll Services in Hong Kong
Managing cross-border corporate compliance, financial reporting, and human resources demands significant internal resources. Offloading these administrative functions allows leadership teams to concentrate on core strategic growth while mitigating regulatory, operational, and tax risks.
Comprehensive Back-Office Solutions
Our multidisciplinary teams deliver integrated corporate compliance, financial administration, and payroll services tailored to multinationals, local enterprises, and expanding entities in Hong Kong and key offshore jurisdictions.
Core Service Area | Primary Solutions | Key Business Outcomes |
Corporate Secretarial | Company formation, statutory maintenance, compliance filings, governance advising. | Total compliance with HKCO and offshore regulations; maintenance of good standing. |
Accounting & Treasury | Bookkeeping, management reporting, audit preparation, cash management. | Real-time financial visibility; streamlined audits; robust internal controls. |
HR & Payroll | Payroll administration, MPF scheme management, tax filings, HR policies. | Error-free salary disbursements; full compliance with HK Inland Revenue and Labour laws. |
Back-Office Operations | Virtual office management, bank account opening, document registration. | Operational agility; reduced fixed administrative overhead. |
Support Across the Business Lifecycle
[ Formation & Setup ] ──> [ Corporate Maintenance ] ──> [ Restructuring & Exit ]
1. Entity Formation & Activation
Hong Kong Private Companies: Incorporation under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (HKCO); acquisition of the Certificate of Incorporation (CI) and Business Registration Certificate (BRC); execution of initial board resolution packages.
Registered Non-Hong Kong Companies (Branches): Part 16 HKCO registration for overseas companies seeking local operational capability.
Representative Offices: Establishment under the Business Registration Ordinance for market entry and non-revenue-generating activities.
2. Business Commencement & Operations
Finance & Treasury Setup: Opening local commercial bank accounts, drafting accounting policies, implementing custom cloud accounting software, and producing multi-period cash flow forecasts.
HR & Workforce Infrastructure: Drafting compliant employment contracts, setting up Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) schemes, acquiring mandatory Employees’ Compensation Insurance (ECI), and configuring payroll workflows.
3. Ongoing Corporate Maintenance & Exit
Ongoing Governance: Annual return filings, maintenance of Significant Controller Registers (SCR), and corporate record updates.
Exit Strategies: Solvent liquidations, deregistration, and corporate restructuring.
Regulatory & Compliance Updates
BVI Beneficial Ownership Regime (March 2025 Updates): New transparency rules aligned with FATF standards affect entities registered in the British Virgin Islands.
Cayman Islands BOTA (January 2025): The Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act mandates updated reporting obligations for Cayman entities.
HKEX Corporate Governance Code: Updated Listing Rules affect board composition, diversity requirements, and ESG reporting for listed issuers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to incorporate a private limited company in Hong Kong?
A standard Hong Kong company requires at least one director (individual of any nationality), one shareholder, a local registered office address, and a designated local Company Secretary.
How does outsourcing accounting and payroll improve operational efficiency?
Outsourcing reduces fixed headcount costs, minimizes penalty risks associated with non-compliance, ensures continuity during staff turnover, and leverages enterprise-grade security tools.
What is the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) requirement for employers in Hong Kong?
Employers must enroll all full-time and part-time employees aged 18 to 65 in an MPF scheme within the first 60 days of employment, making mandatory contributions equal to 5% of relevant income, capped at HKD 1,500 per month.
Strategic Contact Information
Reach out to our leadership team in Hong Kong to evaluate your compliance architecture or obtain our full-service brochure.
Accounting & Payroll Enquiries / Corporate Secretarial & Governance
Bestar Hong Kong
Direct: +852 3565 1861
Email: admin@bestar-asia.com
How Bestar Hong Kong can Help
Corporate Secretarial, Accounting, and Payroll Services in Hong Kong
Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), every private limited company incorporated in Hong Kong must appoint a qualified Company Secretary. Facing evolving statutory mandates, stricter anti-money laundering regulations, and heightened reporting requirements, business owners need an experienced, licensed Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) to maintain legal compliance.
Bestar Hong Kong delivers end-to-end corporate secretarial, administrative, and compliance management solutions designed to streamline operations and safeguard corporate standing.
Why Hong Kong Companies Need Professional Secretarial Support
Hong Kong is one of Asia's most dynamic business hubs, but its regulatory frameworks demand rigorous execution. Missing statutory deadlines or failing to maintain proper corporate registers can result in heavy court fines, personal director liability, or company striking-off.
Key regulatory obligations include:
TCSP Licensing: Corporate secretarial firms must hold a valid Trust or Company Service Provider License under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance.
Designated Representative & SCR: Companies must designate a representative to manage the Significant Controllers Register (SCR) and make it available for law enforcement inspection upon demand.
Annual Statutory Compliance: Timely submission of the Annual Return (Form NAR1) and updates to the Companies Registry (CR) and Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Key Corporate Secretarial Services Provided by Bestar Hong Kong
Bestar acts as a single point of contact for corporate administration across the complete corporate lifecycle:
Core Service Category | Scope of Work & Deliverables | Primary Business Value |
Named Company Secretary | Serving as the official TCSP-licensed Company Secretary for HK entities. | Guarantees compliance with Cap. 622 HK Companies Ordinance. |
Company Formation & Setup | Structuring private limited entities, registering overseas branches (Part 16), acquiring Business Registration Certificates (BRC). | Rapid 24-48 hour incorporation with verified legal documentation. |
Statutory Filings & Record Keeping | Drafting board resolutions, executing filings (Form ND2A, ND4, NAR1), maintaining statutory books and register updates. | Eliminates compliance gaps and statutory penalty risks. |
Significant Controllers Register (SCR) | Maintaining SCR details, performing Customer Due Diligence (CDD), serving as the Designated Representative. | Adherence to Hong Kong AML and transparency guidelines. |
Corporate Restructuring & Exit | Facilitating share transfers, directorship changes, capital adjustments, solvent liquidations, and deregistrations. | Seamless corporate governance transitions and orderly exit procedures. |
How Bestar Simplifies the Corporate Secretarial Process
[ Compliance Audit & Review ] ──> [ Seamless Onboarding / Transfer ] ──> [ Ongoing Annual Secretarial Management ]
1. Seamless Provider Transition
Switching your company secretary to Bestar is straightforward:
Board Approval: Bestar assists in drafting necessary resolutions to formalize the change of secretary.
Registry Notification: Filing Form ND2A with the Companies Registry to register Bestar as your corporate secretary.
Records Transfer: Coordination with your outgoing secretary to retrieve statutory registers, seals, and compliance histories safely.
2. Integrated Accounting & Audit Co-Pilot
Beyond corporate secretarial tasks, Bestar integrates financial administration:
Bookkeeping & Tax Returns: Aligning secretarial records with corporate tax filing and Profit Tax Returns.
Audit Preparation: Working with internal compliance teams to assemble audit-ready documentation for annual statutory audits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sole director also act as the Company Secretary in Hong Kong?
No. Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, if a company has only one director, that individual cannot simultaneously serve as the Company Secretary.
What happens if my company misses the Annual Return (NAR1) deadline?
Failing to file Form NAR1 within 42 days of the anniversary of incorporation results in escalating registration fees, potential fines up to HKD 50,000, and prosecution of company officers.
What details are required to set up a Hong Kong private limited company?
You need at least one director (individual), one shareholder (individual or corporate entity), a local registered office address in Hong Kong, and a local TCSP-licensed Company Secretary.
Partnering with Bestar Hong Kong
Ensure your Hong Kong entity remains compliant, agile, and aligned with international standards.
Hong Kong Office: Bestar Corporate Services
Direct Enquiries: +852 3565 1861
Email: admin@bestar-asia.com
Website: www.bestar-hk.com
Full range of Corporate Secretarial Packages and pricing structures Offered by Bestar Hong Kong
Bestar Hong Kong offers transparent, scalable corporate secretarial packages designed for new startups, expanding local businesses, and cross-border enterprises. As a licensed Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP), Bestar ensures ongoing compliance with the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and Anti-Money Laundering regulations.
Secretarial & Incorporation Packages
Package / Service | Annual / Fixed Pricing | Key Scope & Included Deliverables |
Annual Corporate Secretary Service | From HKD 2,100 / year | • Named TCSP-licensed Company Secretary • Preparation & filing of Annual Return (Form NAR1) • Significant Controllers Register (SCR) maintenance & Designated Representative service • Annual General Meeting (AGM) documentation & resolutions • Compliance deadline tracking & statutory register updates |
All-in-One Formation Package | From HKD 8,750 | • Complete Hong Kong company incorporation • Official HK Government fees included (Certificate of Incorporation & Business Registration) • First-year Corporate Secretary service • Company stamp, chops, and initial resolution setup package |
Ad-Hoc Corporate Governance & Filings
For corporate changes outside annual routine maintenance, Bestar provides fixed-fee ad-hoc secretarial services:
Directorship & Officer Changes: Drafting resolutions and executing Form ND2A / ND4 filings for director/secretary appointments or resignations.
Share Transfer & Allotment: Executing share transfers, share issuances, preparing instrument of transfer documents, and handling Inland Revenue Department (IRD) stamp duty execution.
Registered Office Address: Provision of a central commercial address in Hong Kong to fulfill statutory registration and mail-handling requirements.
Corporate Restructuring & Exit: Assisting with company name changes, share capital adjustments, solvent deregistrations, and voluntary liquidations.
Bundled Financial & HR Extensions
Companies can pair corporate secretarial management with integrated back-office support:
Accounting & Audit Liaison: Starting from HKD 292 / month, covering ongoing monthly bookkeeping, multi-currency reporting, and annual audit preparation.
Payroll & MPF Administration: Charged per employee per month (ranging from HKD 60 to HKD 120 / employee / month with base tiered fees), covering Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) submission and Employer's Return filing.
Step-by-step Process and documentation needed to Switch your current Hong Kong Company Secretary to Bestar
Switching your Hong Kong Company Secretary to Bestar is a straightforward administrative process. As long as your existing corporate records are up to date, the transition can be executed seamlessly without disrupting day-to-day business operations.
Process Overview
[ Step 1: Initial Review & KYC ] ──> [ Step 2: Formal Resolutions & Filings ] ──> [ Step 3: Handover & Register Transfer ]
1.Initial Review & Due Diligence:1 - 2 Business Days.
Bestar performs standard Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks as required under Hong Kong's TCSP licensing framework. You submit clear copies of valid passports, proof of residential address for directors/shareholders, and the existing Business Registration Certificate (BRC).
2.Pass Corporate Resolutions:Same Day.
Bestar drafts the board resolutions approving:
The resignation of the outgoing company secretary.
The appointment of Bestar as the new Company Secretary.
The update of the Designated Representative for the Significant Controllers Register (SCR).
3.Execute Companies Registry Filings:Filing within 15 days of change.
Bestar prepares and submits Form ND2A (Notice of Change of Company Secretary and Director) to the Hong Kong Companies Registry (CR) to officially record the change.
4.Handover of Statutory Registers & Records:3 - 5 Business Days.
Bestar liaises directly with your outgoing company secretary to transfer physical and digital corporate records:
Statutory Registers (Register of Directors, Shareholders, Secretaries, and Charges).
Significant Controllers Register (SCR).
Company seals, chops, and original incorporation certificates.
Required Documentation Checklist
To facilitate a quick transition, collect and prepare the following documents:
Category | Specific Document Required |
Company Verification | • Certificate of Incorporation (CI) • Latest Business Registration Certificate (BRC) • Articles of Association • Latest filed Annual Return (Form NAR1) |
Director & Shareholder Verification | • Passport / HKID copies for all individual directors and ultimate beneficial owners • Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement within 3 months) • Certificate of Incumbency / Register of Members (if corporate shareholders exist) |
Transition Documents | • Resignation letter signed by the outgoing secretary • Signed engagement agreement and onboarding forms with Bestar |
Key Compliance Rules to Keep in Mind
15-Day Statutory Notice Period: Section 652 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance requires that any change of Company Secretary be reported to the Companies Registry within 15 days of the change taking effect.
No Lapse in Appointment: A Hong Kong company cannot go without a Company Secretary. Bestar schedules the resignation date of the outgoing provider and the appointment date of Bestar to coincide on the exact same day.
Direct Transfer Coordination: You do not need to negotiate the transfer details yourself. Bestar provides a standardized handover letter that you can sign and send to your previous provider, allowing Bestar to handle record collection directly.
Next steps to start the transfer process:
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