Companies must appoint a company secretary within 6 months from the date of incorporation. This position cannot be left vacant for more than 6 months or the directors may face a penalty of up to $1,000.

A company secretary is responsible for the administration of the company. He is also required to ensure that all the directors and shareholders are informed of their statutory obligations such as the filing of annual returns.

The responsibilities of a secretary can be varied depending of a company’s needs. Below are some examples:

Maintain and update the company’s registers and minutes books.

Administer, attend and prepare minutes of meetings of directors and shareholders.

Keep company directors aware of the deadlines for annual returns and any other filings required by ACRA.

Update directors and shareholders on relevant changes in corporate regulations.