How much should a company secretary actually cost in Hong Kong?
Quotes range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand a year, often for what looks like the same service. The difference is almost always in what is included.
Every Hong Kong company must appoint one, so this is a cost you cannot avoid. Here is how the pricing really works.
Why Every Company Pays This Fee
The Companies Ordinance requires every Hong Kong company to have a company secretary.
The secretary must be a Hong Kong resident individual or a corporate provider holding a TCSP licence with a place of business in Hong Kong. A sole director cannot act as their own company secretary.
Because most founders are not Hong Kong residents, and most local founders do not want the compliance role themselves, nearly every small company outsources it. That makes the annual fee a standard running cost of a Hong Kong company.
What the Basic Fee Usually Covers
A standard annual package typically includes:
- Acting as the named company secretary on the Companies Registry
- Preparing and filing the annual return (Form NAR1)
- Maintaining the statutory registers, including the Significant Controllers Register
- Basic reminders for filing deadlines
Read the inclusions line by line. Two quotes that look identical often differ on whether the annual return filing and registry updates are inside the fee or billed on top.
What Costs Extra
The base fee is rarely the whole story. Common add-on charges include:
- Director or shareholder changes
- Share transfers and the related stamping
- Changing the company name or registered address
- Board minutes and resolutions for specific transactions
- Deregistration when a company closes
None of these are unusual charges. The problem is only when they surprise you. We reviewed a founder’s invoices where the cheap headline fee had doubled through routine filings billed one by one.
Typical Price Ranges in Hong Kong
Pricing depends on the provider type and scope.
As a rough guide, a name-only appointment can start from a few hundred Hong Kong dollars a year. A proper package with the annual return and registry maintenance more commonly runs from around HKD 1,000 to HKD 3,000 or more.
Automated platforms sit at the low end by stripping the service to software. Professional firms charge more and include a person who knows your company. Complex companies with frequent changes pay more anywhere.
Cheap vs Professional: The Real Difference
The fee buys a compliance function either way. What varies is judgment and attention.
An automated provider processes what you submit. A professional secretary notices what you did not submit, flags the deadline you forgot, and answers the odd question that does not fit a form.
One client came to us after their platform provider filed everything on time but never mentioned that their registered address had lapsed. Nobody was reading the mail. The fine cost more than years of the fee difference.
How to Compare Quotes Properly
Ask every provider the same five questions:
- Is the annual return preparation and filing included?
- What do routine changes cost, per filing?
- Who exactly answers when I have a question?
- Are government fees included or on top?
- What happens if a deadline is missed?
Put the answers side by side and the real prices emerge. The cheapest headline number is rarely the cheapest year.
Switching If You Are Overpaying or Underserved
Changing company secretary in Hong Kong is straightforward.
The new provider is appointed, the old one resigns, and the change is filed with the Companies Registry. Your new secretary handles the paperwork and the handover of registers.
If your current provider is expensive, unresponsive, or invisible, the switch typically takes days, not months. See our guide on how to switch your Hong Kong company secretary for the full process.
Final Thoughts
Company secretary fees in Hong Kong are not large, but they are recurring, and the cheapest option often costs more once real life happens.
Judge providers on what is included, what routine changes cost, and whether a competent person actually watches your company. That is what the fee is for.
Want a company secretary who actually pays attention?
ABLE Hong Kong provides company secretarial services with transparent fees and a named person on your account. Book a free consultation for a clear quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a company secretary cost in Hong Kong?
A name-only appointment can start from a few hundred Hong Kong dollars a year. A full package including the annual return and registry maintenance more commonly runs from around HKD 1,000 to HKD 3,000 or more.
Is a company secretary mandatory in Hong Kong?
Yes. Every Hong Kong company must appoint one under the Companies Ordinance. The secretary must be a Hong Kong resident or a TCSP-licensed corporate provider.
Can I be my own company secretary?
Only if you are a Hong Kong resident and the company has more than one director. A sole director cannot also be the company secretary.
What does the annual fee usually include?
Acting as named secretary, filing the annual return, and maintaining statutory registers. Changes like share transfers or director updates are usually billed separately.
Why are some providers so much cheaper?
Lower fees usually mean automated processing, minimal human attention, and more items billed as extras. Compare full-year costs, not headline prices.
How hard is it to switch company secretary?
Simple. The new provider is appointed, the outgoing one resigns, and the change is filed with the Companies Registry. It usually takes days.