Company Secretary Fees in Malaysia: What to Expect

Starting and running a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia involves more than just registering a company. Every private limited company is required to appoint a company secretary, and maintaining compliance with the Companies Act means ongoing administrative and statutory responsibilities.

One of the first questions many business owners ask is: How much do company secretary fees in Malaysia actually cost?

The answer depends on several factors, including the type of services you need, your company’s activities, and whether you’re looking for basic compliance support or a long-term advisory partner.

In this guide, we’ll explain what company secretary fees usually cover, what influences pricing, and how to choose company secretarial services that provide real value for your business.

What Does a Company Secretary Do?

A company secretary is responsible for helping your company meet its statutory obligations under Malaysian corporate regulations. Their role goes beyond filing documents—they help ensure your company stays compliant throughout the year.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Maintaining statutory registers and company records

• Preparing board resolutions and shareholder resolutions

• Filing required documents with SSM

• Advising on statutory compliance requirements

• Managing changes involving directors, shareholders, or company information

• Assisting with Annual Return and other recurring compliance matters

• Supporting company incorporation and post-incorporation requirements

For most SMEs, having a reliable company secretary helps reduce administrative burden and minimises the risk of missing important compliance obligations.

How Much Are Company Secretary Fees in Malaysia?

There isn’t a single fixed price for company secretarial services in Malaysia. Fees vary depending on the service provider and the level of support required.

Generally, you may encounter:

Company Incorporation Packages

Many providers offer incorporation packages that include:

• Company registration

• Appointment of the first company secretary

• Preparation of incorporation documents

• Basic statutory records

• Initial compliance guidance

Some packages also include a certain period of secretarial services before annual fees begin.

Annual Retainer Fees

Most company secretaries charge an annual retainer to cover routine compliance work.

This often includes:

• Maintaining statutory records

• Annual compliance reminders

• Preparation of standard resolutions

• General corporate secretarial support

• Filing routine statutory documents where applicable

Additional fees may apply for work outside the standard scope.

One-Off Service Charges

Businesses may also require occasional corporate changes, such as:

• Change of directors

• Appointment or resignation of shareholders

• Registered office address changes

• Share transfers

• Increase in share capital

• Company name changes

• Preparation of specialised corporate documents

These are typically charged separately because each process involves different documentation and filing requirements.

What Factors Affect Company Secretary Fees?

Several factors influence the overall cost of company secretarial services.

1. Company Size

A newly incorporated SME usually requires less administrative work than an established company with multiple shareholders or directors.

Larger businesses generally have more ongoing compliance requirements.

2. Frequency of Corporate Changes

If your company regularly changes directors, shareholders, shareholding structures, or registered addresses, more documentation and filings will be required.

More activity usually means additional professional work.

3. Scope of Services

Some providers only handle statutory filing.

Others provide broader compliance support, including:

• Corporate governance advice

• Compliance reminders

• Document preparation

• Coordination with accountants and auditors

• Business advisory support

A wider service scope may offer better long-term value even if the annual fee is slightly higher.

4. Complexity of the Business

Companies with multiple investors, group structures, or more complex ownership arrangements often require additional corporate secretarial work.

Businesses planning future expansion may also benefit from ongoing advisory support.

What’s Usually Included in Company Secretarial Services?

Although every provider structures their packages differently, company secretarial services commonly include:

• Company incorporation support

• Appointment of company secretary

• Maintenance of statutory registers

• Preparation of standard board resolutions

• Filing statutory documents with SSM

• Annual compliance reminders

• Advice on routine corporate compliance

• Support for company information updates

Before engaging a provider, it’s always helpful to ask what is included in the annual fee and which services are billed separately.

Clear pricing helps avoid unexpected costs later.

Why Choosing the Cheapest Option May Cost More

It’s understandable to compare prices when starting a business.

However, choosing solely based on the lowest fee may not always be the best decision.

A company secretary plays an important role in helping your business stay compliant. Limited support or poor communication can result in:

• Missed statutory deadlines

• Delays in corporate changes

• Incomplete documentation

• Difficulty retrieving company records

• Additional administrative work for business owners

Instead of focusing only on price, consider the overall value, responsiveness, and experience of the service provider.

Reliable guidance can save both time and unnecessary stress as your business grows.

What Happens If You Don’t Appoint or Maintain a Company Secretary?

A Sdn Bhd company is required to maintain a qualified company secretary throughout its operation.

Failure to properly manage statutory obligations may result in compliance issues, delays in corporate filings, or regulatory consequences under applicable company law.

Business owners should always verify the latest compliance requirements with the relevant authorities.

Keeping up with compliance is often much easier when routine filings and corporate records are handled consistently throughout the year.

How SASCO Can Help

Whether you’re starting your first company or looking for a more responsive company secretary, SASCO provides practical support designed for Malaysian SMEs.

Our Company Secretarial & Incorporation Services help businesses manage statutory compliance with clear guidance and transparent communication.

We assist with:

• Sdn Bhd incorporation

• Appointment of company secretary

• Ongoing corporate secretarial support

• Statutory filings

• Company changes and corporate updates

• Annual compliance requirements

• Coordination with accounting and audit matters where needed

Rather than simply processing documents, our team works alongside business owners to help them understand their compliance responsibilities and stay organised as their companies grow.

If you’re comparing company secretarial services, we’re happy to explain what’s included and recommend a package that suits your business stage and operational needs.