When Should You Hire an In-House Corporate Secretary vs. Outsource?

Every company in Singapore needs a corporate secretary —

but should you hire one in-house, or outsource to an external service?

Here’s how to decide.

1️⃣ What Does a Corporate Secretary Actually Do?

✅ Maintain statutory registers

✅ File annual returns and resolutions

✅ Ensure compliance with the Companies Act

✅ Support directors and board governance

This is a legal and governance role, not just admin work.

2️⃣ When Should You Hire In-House?

✅ Large companies with complex structures

✅ Multiple subsidiaries or joint ventures

✅ Need for constant on-site governance support

In-house can give you tighter control — but comes with higher salary costs.

3️⃣ When Is Outsourcing Better?

✅ Small to mid-sized companies

✅ Foreign companies entering Singapore

✅ Businesses that need expert compliance without the overhead

Outsourcing gives you expertise on demand and keeps costs lean.

4️⃣ What Are the Cost Differences (in 2025)?

✅ In-house → full-time salary + benefits (~S$3,000–S$6,000/month)

✅ Outsourced → yearly retainer, usually S$600–S$2,000/year (depending on services)

For many SMEs, outsourcing is the smarter financial move.

5️⃣ Why Work With Paperwork.sg?

We:

✅ Provide expert corporate secretary services

✅ Offer concierge-style support, tailored to your needs

✅ Keep you compliant without adding headcount

👉 Let’s talk about outsourcing your corporate secretary