The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To establish a business in Singapore, first choose an entity type, confirm who is eligible to register and fill any required local-resident role, reserve a name and register through ACRA’s Bizfile process. Then meet post-registration duties such as appointing company officers, checking licences, setting up tax and filing processes, and registering for GST if the applicable threshold tests are met. A foreign founder must use a Corporate Service Provider (CSP) to reserve a name and register a business structure. CFO Accounts & Services advertises incorporation and accounting-related services, but it is a private provider—not a government registration service.
Start with your residency and business situation
The right registration route depends on whether you are a Singapore resident starting a local venture, a foreign individual setting one up, or an overseas company expanding into Singapore. ACRA’s process has five broad stages: check eligibility, choose a structure, reserve a business name, register the entity, and complete post-registration requirements. See ACRA’s registration overview.
Foreigners must engage a CSP to reserve a business name and register a business structure. Every business must also have a qualifying local resident in the role required for its structure. The exact role and eligibility conditions vary; a company, for example, must have a locally resident director. A foreign founder who plans to move to Singapore and run the business needs an appropriate work pass. FIN holders should check with their pass issuer before registering a business or accepting a role; ACRA notes, for example, that Employment Pass holders need a Letter of Consent. Check the applicable conditions with the relevant pass issuer or the Ministry of Manpower.
Registration is not optional when required: ACRA’s 2026 eligibility guidance says failure to register may carry a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, citing section 35 of the Business Names Registration Act 2014. Read the ACRA eligibility guidance for the rules that apply to your circumstances.
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Choose an entity that fits the risk and growth plan
ACRA advises founders to weigh liability, cost and growth potential when selecting a structure. Common routes include a sole proprietorship or partnership, a Singapore-incorporated company, and a foreign company registering a Singapore branch. These options are not interchangeable: the appropriate choice depends on ownership, the parent business, intended operations and appetite for administration.
| Structure | Liability and administration | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship or partnership | ACRA’s overview identifies these as business structures, but the source does not provide a comparable cost or filing-burden figure for each; confirm the specific obligations before choosing. | A simpler ownership arrangement may suit some small ventures, but assess personal liability and the needs of any partners. |
| Singapore local company | Requires company officers and ongoing company compliance, including officer appointments and statutory duties. | Consider when a separate corporate entity, company ownership structure or growth plans make incorporation appropriate. |
| Foreign company branch | Registration and ongoing obligations differ from those of a local company; compare requirements with the parent company’s existing structure. | Consider when an existing overseas company intends to operate in Singapore rather than create a separate local company. |
The table is a decision starting point, not a substitute for checking the current requirements for the chosen structure. ACRA’s registration overview sets out the structure-selection stage and links to structure-specific registration guidance.
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Reserve a name and register through the correct channel
After selecting the structure and confirming eligibility, reserve the business name and submit the registration through ACRA’s Bizfile process. Foreign founders must use a CSP for both the name reservation and registration. Before filing, settle the proposed ownership and officer arrangements so that the application reflects who will hold each role and whether residency conditions are met.
For a company, plan officer appointments and responsibilities
Every Singapore company must have at least one director and a company secretary. The company must appoint its secretary within six months of incorporation. The sole director cannot also be the company secretary. Director and secretary residency requirements are role-specific, so confirm the applicable eligibility before relying on a proposed appointee.
An auditor must be appointed within three months unless the company qualifies for an exemption. Appointment deadlines do not transfer responsibility away from directors: directors retain statutory responsibilities even if they are inactive or acting as nominees. A nominee arrangement is not a way to avoid the duties of the office.
See ACRA’s guidance on appointing directors and other key officers for the company roles and requirements.
Complete the post-registration checklist
Incorporation is the start of compliance, not the end. ACRA’s post-registration guide for local companies covers the tasks below. Which ones apply depends on the company’s activities, employees and tax position.
- Check licences before operating. Use GoBusiness to identify licences or approvals needed for regulated activities; incorporation itself does not establish that every business activity is licensed.
- Set up company records and government access. Complete the required company registers and arrange Corppass access for the people who need to transact with government agencies.
- Track officer and audit deadlines. Appoint the company secretary within six months and an auditor within three months unless exempt.
- Address tax and filing obligations. Establish a process for company records, tax filings and applicable deadlines. Confirm current tax rates, reliefs and filing requirements directly with IRAS; they are not set out here.
- Assess GST registration. ACRA says GST registration is compulsory if taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million at calendar-year end, or if the business reasonably expects taxable turnover to exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months. Check the current rules and how they apply to your business with IRAS.
- Plan for employees. If you hire staff, check employer duties, including CPF registration where applicable.
- Address personal-data responsibilities. Assess whether your business must appoint a data protection officer (DPO) and put appropriate data-protection processes in place.
Check whether InvoiceNow requirements affect your GST plans
ACRA’s post-registration guide lists phased InvoiceNow requirements for GST registrants. The schedule below is the one stated in the guide checked on 8 October 2026. Implementation details and obligations can change, so verify the current position with IRAS before making a compliance decision.
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| Effective date in ACRA’s guide | Category described |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2025 | Companies voluntarily registering for GST within six months after incorporation. |
| 1 April 2026 | All new voluntary GST registrants. |
| 1 April 2028 | New compulsory GST registrants and specified existing businesses with annual supplies at or below S$200,000. |
| 1 April 2029 | Specified existing businesses with annual supplies at or below S$1 million. |
| 1 April 2030 | Specified existing businesses with annual supplies at or below S$4 million. |
| 1 April 2031 | Specified existing businesses with annual supplies above S$4 million. |
ACRA points businesses to IMDA-accredited InvoiceNow-ready solution providers. When choosing accounting software or a service provider, compare the system’s fit with your invoicing workflow, tax and filing needs, payroll, integrations and total provider cost—not just whether it supports a single feature.
What CFO Accounts & Services says it offers
CFO Accounts & Services’ website lists incorporation, company secretarial, accounting and bookkeeping, and tax services. Its company incorporation page and homepage describe its own offerings; they do not establish independent service quality or make the provider an official government service. Using this provider is not a stated requirement for establishing a company.
If you are considering CFO Accounts & Services or another provider, request a written scope and compare:
- Which filing, incorporation, secretarial, accounting and tax tasks are included—and which are excluded.
- Who is responsible for each filing and who will be your named contact.
- Experience relevant to your entity type, ownership and tax situation.
- How deadlines, missing records, corrections and questions are handled.
- One-time setup fees, recurring annual fees, additional charges and termination terms.
Do not assume that an advertised service covers every obligation your company has. Match the written engagement terms against the company’s actual needs and confirm current prices and service details directly with the provider.
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