Corporate Secretarial Services

Corporate Secretarial Services | Bestar

Corporate Secretarial Services

Corporate secretarial services in Hong Kong are a legal requirement for all registered companies, with key providers like Bestar offering essential compliance and governance support.

Legal Requirements

• Mandatory role: Every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary under the Companies Ordinance.

  
  

• Residency rule: The secretary must be a local resident individual (at least 18 years old) or a corporate body with a local registered office.

  
  

• Licensing: Providers must hold a valid Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licence issued by the Companies Registry.

Core Services Provided

• Statutory filings: Submitting annual returns, updating director/shareholder changes, and renewing Business Registration Certificates (BRC).

  
  

• Record maintenance: Keeping up-to-date statutory registers, minute books, and the Significant Controllers Register (SCR).

  
  

• Registered address: Providing a local corporate address for official government and legal correspondence.

  
  

• Governance support: Drafting board resolutions, organizing Annual General Meetings (AGMs), and managing officer KYC checks.

Top Providers & Estimated Pricing

• Sleek: Digital-first platform tailored for startups; starting from HK$1,300 per year.

• FastLane Group: Integrated secretarial and accounting packages; starting from HK$3,550 per year.

• Air Corporate: Fast online setup and ongoing administration; starting from US$955 per year.

• BoardRoom: Comprehensive enterprise governance and HKEX listed-company support; quote-based pricing. [1]

If you'd like, let us know:

• Is your company a new startup or an existing business looking to switch providers?

• Do you also need accounting or tax filing services?

We can provide for your needs.

How Bestar Hong Kong can Help Corporate Secretarial Services

Bestar Hong Kong serves as a licensed Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP), delivering comprehensive corporate secretarial, tax, and statutory audit solutions to maintain strict local compliance under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

Navigating Hong Kong Corporate Governance: How Bestar Delivers Turnkey Secretarial Solutions

1. Fulfill Statutory Obligations Flawlessly

The Hong Kong Companies Registry mandates that every private limited company appoint a local company secretary. Doing so prevents legal friction and costly operational disruptions.

• Mandatory Local Residency: Fulfill the law using Bestar’s corporate secretarial services as your registered corporate body.

  
  

• Timely Statutory Filings: Submit Form NAR1 (Annual Returns) within 42 days of your incorporation anniversary.

  
  

• Seamless Officer Updates: File Form ND2A quickly to record changes to directors or secretaries within 15 days.

  
  

• Dynamic Record Upkeep: Keep accurate, up-to-date statutory registers, minute books, and Significant Controllers Registers (SCR).

2. Streamline Structural Changes & Corporate Transitions

Corporate restructuring demands strict adherence to local regulatory filing processes. Bestar mitigates non-compliance risks through managed transitional workflows.

• Secretary Provider Switching: Execute board resolutions and file Form ND2A seamlessly during administrative transitions.

• Efficient Share Transfers: Handle contract updates, calculate documentation, and complete electronic stamp duty processing.

  
  

• Capital Adjustments: Execute legal changes to your corporate structure or currency conversions without friction.

  
  

• Entity De-registration: Navigate structural wind-downs and clean entity closures safely through formal regulatory channels.

3. Leverage an Integrated Corporate Ecosystem

Isolating administrative duties from accounting often creates oversight gaps. Bestar bridges these gaps by offering an all-in-one compliance suite.

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐

│               Bestar All-In-One Platform               │

└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘

                            │

       ┌────────────────────┼────────────────────┐

       ▼                    ▼                    ▼

┌──────────────┐    ┌──────────────┐    ┌────────────────┐

│ Corporate    │    │ Bookkeeping  │    │ Statutory Tax  │

│ Secretarial  │    │ & Accounting │    │ & Audit        │

└──────────────┘    └──────────────┘    └────────────────┘

• Address Registration: Secure a physical corporate address to meet statutory government mail requirements.

  
  

• Financial Accounting: Maintain real-time corporate ledgers alongside your legal filing schedules.

  
  

• Risk-Based Auditing: Align company records with strict Inland Revenue Department (IRD) risk screening profiles.

4. Direct Cost Comparison: Setup vs. Ongoing Maintenance

Managing business compliance requirements requires transparent, predictable pricing. Bestar breaks down baseline costs clearly for budget forecasting:

Service Component	Initial Setup Fee (HKD)	Ongoing Annual Renewal (HKD)
Corporate Secretarial Care	HKD 2,100	HKD 2,100
Registered Office Address	HKD 1,800	HKD 1,800
Shelf Company Acquisition (Optional)	HKD 8,000	N/A
Share Transfer Stamp Duty (Base)	HKD 16	N/A
Total Estimated Initial Base	HKD 11,900	HKD 3,900

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Can a sole director serve as the company secretary in Hong Kong?

No. Under the Companies Ordinance, the sole director of a private limited company is legally prohibited from also serving as the company secretary. The secretary must be a separate local individual resident or a licensed corporate body.

What are the penalties for late annual return filings?

Late submissions of Form NAR1 result in staggered statutory fines. Escalating penalties range from HKD 870 to a maximum of HKD 3,480, alongside potential court prosecution for corporate officers.

How long does it take to change a company secretary?

The physical transition can be processed immediately via a board resolution. However, the change must be officially registered with the Companies Registry using Form ND2A within 15 days of the resolution date.

6. Secure Your Hong Kong Compliance Strategy

Protect your business from regulatory penalties. Contact the corporate advisory team at Bestar Hong Kong to build your custom corporate secretarial, accounting, and licensing plan today.

If you're ready to set up your strategy, please share:

• Are you looking to incorporate a new business or transfer an existing entity?

• Do you require additional support for corporate bank account openings?

We can provide specific checklists based on your answers.

Protect Your HK Venture From Compliance Penalties. Avoid costly late-filing fines with Bestar’s licensed TCSP expertise. Speak with a Hong Kong Secretarial Specialist Today →

Ready to Switch Providers or Incorporate in Hong Kong?

Secure your required registered address and licensed company secretary in one seamless onboarding process. 👉 Get Your Instant Bestar Quote Now

Simplify Your Corporate Secretarial Onboarding

Tell Bestar your business goals to receive a customized pricing structure tailored exactly to your operation:

• Request a Secretarial Transfer Checklist for existing HK businesses

  
  

• Get a New HK Incorporation Bundle including registered address

  
  

• Ask for an Integrated Package Quote including accounting and audit support