Professional Services

Bestar is a professional services firm, offering a wide array of services in Hong Kong. While we provide core services, our firm has specific strengths or areas of focus in the Hong Kong market.

Here's an overview of the professional services we offer in Hong Kong:

Core Services offered by Bestar firm:

• Audit & Assurance:

  • Financial statements audit

  • Capital market services

  • Assurance services (e.g., internal controls, regulatory compliance)

• Tax:

  • Business Tax Services

  • Indirect Tax (e.g., VAT, GST)

  • Global Employer Services (personal and employment taxes, immigration)

  • International Tax advisory

  • Transfer Pricing

  • Tax controversy services

  • Tax compliance and reporting (FATCA/CRS)

• Advisory/Consulting: These are broad categories encompassing various specialized areas:

  • Strategy & Operations:

    • Growth strategies

    • Operational efficiency and transformation

    • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) advisory (pre-planning, due diligence, post-deal integration)

    • Value creation & crisis management

    • Restructuring and turnaround strategy

  • Technology Consulting:

    • Digital transformation (e.g., AI, blockchain, cloud, big data, automation)

    • Cybersecurity and privacy

    • IT Risk Management

    • Enterprise Technology and Performance

  • Financial Advisory:

    • Corporate finance

    • Deal advisory (transactions)

    • Valuation

    • Forensic services

    • Insolvency and restructuring

  • Risk Advisory:

    • Accounting and Internal Controls

    • Cyber and Strategic Risk

    • Regulatory Support and Compliance

    • Financial crime prevention

  • Human Capital/People Advisory Services:

    • Workforce transformation

    • Talent and compensation (e.g., executive search, employee share schemes)

    • Organizational change management

Specific mentions and areas of focus in Hong Kong:

• Strong focus on Financial Services, including Asset & Wealth Management, Banking & Capital Markets, and Insurance.

• Offers Managed Services in financial services (accounting, payroll, secretarial, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure operations).

• Significant presence in Audit & Assurance and Consulting.

• Actively involved in issues like Belt & Road, Cybersecurity and privacy, FinTech, Greater Bay Area, and Risk & Regulatory.

• Notable for its Consulting services, particularly in Digital and Technology consulting (e.g., blockchain, robotic process automation, big data, cloud, machine learning).

• A strong presence in Financial Advisory (M&A, Value Creation & Crisis).

• Offers specialized services like Deloitte Private (for family enterprises and Best Managed Companies program) and Cross-border Business.

• Active in "Hot Topics" like Climate and Sustainability, Digital Transformation, and the Greater Bay Area.

• Prominent in Consulting, especially strategy consulting.

• Focuses on Sustainability and ESG Strategy Consulting, and Climate Change and Sustainability Services.

• Strong in Technology Risk Services and M&A Advisory.

• Has a focus on innovation and collaboration Hong Kong.

• Offers a comprehensive range of Audit, Tax, and Advisory services.

• Has a dedicated New Economy team providing services tailored to start-ups, investors, and funds (e.g., capital raising, company structuring, talent and compensation).

• Emphasizes industry knowledge and delivers services through dedicated teams across various sectors.

• Notable for its Technology Consulting and Risk Consulting.

General characteristics of Bestar in Hong Kong:

• Global Reach: We leverage our extensive global networks to serve multinational clients and facilitate cross-border transactions.

• Industry Expertise: We have specialized teams focusing on various industries such as financial services, consumer and retail, energy and natural resources, government and public services, life sciences and healthcare, and technology, media & telecommunications.

• Talent Acquisition: We are top employers for graduates and experienced professionals in Hong Kong, offering diverse career paths in professional services.

• Market Insights: We regularly publish reports and insights on market trends, regulatory changes, and economic developments relevant to Hong Kong and Greater China.

When choosing a professional services firm in Hong Kong, businesses often consider the specific nature of their needs, our firm's industry expertise, our global capabilities, and our track record in the local market.

Company Registry

Major Fees under the Companies Ordinance

The Companies Registry in Hong Kong charges various fees under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) for different company-related services. These fees can generally be categorized into:

I. Company Incorporation and Registration Fees:

• Incorporation Fee (for companies with share capital):

  • Electronic submission: HK$1,545 (with a refundable portion of HK$1,280 if unsuccessful, and a non-refundable lodgment fee of HK$265).

  • Hard copy submission: HK$1,720 (with a refundable portion of HK$1,425 if unsuccessful, and a non-refundable lodgment fee of HK$295).

  • Note: Electronic submissions generally have a 10% reduction.

• Registration of a non-Hong Kong company: Similar fees to local company incorporation.

• Company Limited by Guarantee (incorporation fee):

  • For 25 members or fewer: HK$155 (electronic), HK$170 (hard copy).

  • For more than 25 but not exceeding 100 members: HK$305 (electronic), HK$340 (hard copy).

  • For more than 100 members (additional 50 members or fewer): HK$18 (electronic), HK$20 (hard copy), subject to a maximum fee.

• Company Re-domiciliation: HK$6,050 (electronic), HK$6,725 (hard copy).

II. Business Registration Fee and Levy (collected by the Companies Registry on behalf of the Inland Revenue Department):

• This is a separate, mandatory fee for all businesses operating in Hong Kong.

• One-year certificate: HK$2,200 (Note: A levy for the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund may apply, though it has been temporarily waived until March 2026).

• Three-year certificate: HK$5,870.

• Branch registration fees also apply.

III. Annual Filing Fees (Annual Return):

• This is a recurring fee due on the anniversary of the company's incorporation or return date. The fee amount depends on the type of company and the timeliness of submission.

• Local Private Companies (with share capital) / Companies Limited by Guarantee:

  • Delivered within 42 days after the company's return date: HK$105

  • More than 42 days but within 3 months: HK$870

  • More than 3 months but within 6 months: HK$1,740

  • More than 6 months but within 9 months: HK$2,610

  • More than 9 months: HK$3,480

• Local Public Companies (with share capital):

  • Delivered within 42 days after the company's return date: HK$140

  • More than 42 days but within 3 months: HK$1,200

  • More than 3 months but within 6 months: HK$2,400

  • More than 6 months but within 9 months: HK$3,600

  • More than 9 months: HK$4,800

  • Note: The Companies Registry has no discretion to waive these higher late filing fees.

IV. Fees for Other Filings and Services:

• Registration of change of company name: HK$1,425.

• Registration of charges and related documents:

  • Statement of Particulars of Charge: HK$340

  • Notification of Payment / Satisfaction of Debt, Release from Charge, etc.: HK$190

  • Notice of appointment of receiver or manager: HK$40

  • Notice of mortgagee entering into possession of property: HK$40

• Search services:

  • Company Particulars Search (per company): HK$22

  • Directors Index Search (Company-based, per company): HK$11

  • Image Record Search (per document): Varies (e.g., HK$16-21 for online download, HK$18-23 for hard copy).

• Certificates / Certified Copies:

  • Certificate of continuing registration: HK$170

  • Certifying fee for a copy or extract: HK$130 (does not include the fee for the hard copy itself).

It's important to note that these are the government fees charged by the Companies Registry and Inland Revenue Department. If you engage a company formation agent or corporate service provider, they will charge additional service fees for their assistance in preparing and filing the necessary documents.

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of fees, it is always recommended to refer directly to the official website of the Hong Kong Companies Registry.

Labour Department

		Fee HK$
Application for Employment Agency Licence		Licence fee HK$2,000 payable after the application has been approved
		duplicate licence fee HK $385 each (if applicable)