Company Secretary Fee 2026: Government Fees, Market Rates, and Key Comparison Points

Key Takeaways: What a Company Secretary Really Costs Per Year

The annual cost of a company secretary for a Hong Kong company breaks down into three parts: ① the government registration fee for the NAR1 annual return, HK$105; ② market annual fees for secretarial services of roughly HK$600–3,320, with large differences depending on what each plan includes; ③ the mainstream "acting as secretary + filing NAR1" plans at about HK$1,200–2,500/year.

These four amounts are often bundled together on many search result pages; comparing them separately makes it easier to see the differences between plans.

Split the Money in Two First: Government Fees vs Secretarial Service Fees

Government Fee — NAR1 Annual Return HK$105

When a local private company files its NAR1 on time, the registration fee is HK$105; the deadline is within 42 days after the anniversary of the company's incorporation. Late registration fees escalate 870 → 1,740 → 2,610 → 3,480; late filing can lead to prosecution, and section 662 of the Companies Ordinance provides for a maximum fine of HK$50,000, with a further HK$1,000 per day for a continuing offence; the Registrar of Companies has no power to grant extensions or waive the higher registration fees. (References: Companies Registry fee schedule, NAR1 filing requirements)

The Business Registration Certificate (BR) Is a Separate Cost

Renewing the Business Registration Certificate is an annual government fee, separate from the secretary fee. From 1 April 2026, the fee for a 1-year certificate is approximately HK$2,350, subject to the Inland Revenue Department fee schedule. Searches often conflate the two; HK$105 is not the full cost.

2026 Market Rates for Company Secretary Services: Three Price Bands

The following are public market quotes for 2026, reflecting plans commonly seen in the market; they do not represent the price list of any single brand.

Budget Band approx. HK$600–800 — Acting as Secretary Only

Dignity's basic plan is HK$600 (excluding government fees), and AC Accounting's basic plan is HK$800. Plans at this price point usually cover only acting as secretary; government fees, the registered address, and change filings are charged separately.

Mainstream Band approx. HK$1,000–1,800 — Acting as Secretary + Filing NAR1

智明 quotes HK$1,200 (including government fees), Accolade's basic plan is HK$1,200, and Captime is HK$1,680; 將軍會計 cites the common market range as 1,000–2,500. This is the most common baseline for price comparisons.

Standard/Professional Plans approx. HK$2,200–3,320 — Including a Number of Change Filings

PAT's Standard plan is HK$2,300 and its Professional plan HK$3,300; Accolade's advanced plan is HK$3,000; Captime Pro is HK$3,320; Corporate One's basic plan is HK$2,500. Plans above HK$3,000 usually bundle in additional items such as share transfers, share allotments, and company name changes.

Plans below HK$1,000 mostly exclude change filings, the address, or government fees; comparisons should use the same "secretary + NAR1" baseline.

What the Annual Fee Does and Doesn't Include: Pre-Signing Checklist

Usually included: acting as company secretary, preparing and submitting the NAR1, and due-date reminders.

Usually charged separately: registered office address (approx. HK$2,800/year on the market), mail scanning, share transfers/allotments, company name changes, director/secretary changes, mid-term handover, and expedited handling. Almost every provider's price list states explicitly that "government fees are charged separately".

Some providers have inconsistencies between their FAQ and plan descriptions: one basic plan's FAQ says it only files the NAR1 without acting as secretary, but the plan description does not clearly exclude this. Before signing, verify each item line by line — do not look at the price alone.

Process: How NAR1 Is Filed Each Year and How to Change Secretaries Mid-Year

The Annual NAR1 Filing

The NAR1 is filed every year and covers the registered address, shareholders, directors, and company secretary particulars; it may be signed by a director or the company secretary. Electronic filing goes through CR e-Services, while paper copies are delivered to the Queensway Government Offices; the deadline is within 42 days after the anniversary of incorporation. (Reference: NAR1 filing requirements)

Changing Secretary Mid-Year

The steps are: first pass a resignation/appointment resolution, then file a notice of change with the Companies Registry, and finally hand over the statutory books. In market practice this takes about 5–10 business days; fees are usually prorated or charged separately; annual fees are generally prepaid for 12 months.

Statutory Requirements and Common Myths: Can You Do It Yourself?

Companies incorporated in Hong Kong must have a company secretary under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); for a private company, the secretary may be an individual or a body corporate. A sole director cannot also act as the company secretary. Shareholders based overseas in practice need a Hong Kong resident or a Hong Kong company to act as secretary.

Providers offering regulated trust or company services must hold a TCSP licence (for example, Intelligent Services Limited, TCSP reference number TC010349); licences can be checked on the Companies Registry website before signing.

FAQ

1. How much does a company secretary cost per year? Is HK$105 the full cost?

No. HK$105 is only the government's NAR1 registration fee; mainstream market plans for "acting as secretary + filing NAR1" cost about HK$1,200–2,500/year, and government fees such as the Business Registration Certificate are charged separately.

2. What does the annual fee usually cover? Are the address, share transfers, and BR extra?

Most plans cover only acting as secretary, preparing/submitting the NAR1, and due-date reminders; the registered address (approx. HK$2,800/year on the market), share transfers, name changes, and BR renewal are usually charged separately — verify each item before signing.

3. Can you do it yourself? Can a sole director also act as company secretary?

For a private company, the company secretary may be an individual or a body corporate, but a sole director cannot also act as secretary; shareholders who are not Hong Kong residents generally need a Hong Kong resident or a Hong Kong company to act as secretary.

4. What are the penalties for filing NAR1 late? Can there be prosecution?

Late registration fees escalate to HK$3,480, and prosecution is also possible: a maximum fine of HK$50,000, plus HK$1,000 per day for a continuing offence; the Companies Registry has no power to waive them.

5. How is a mid-year change of secretary charged, and what forms are required?

It requires a resignation/appointment resolution, a notice of change filed with the Companies Registry, and handover of the statutory books; market practice is about 5–10 business days, with fees prorated or charged separately.

Conclusion — The Comparison Baseline Matters More Than the Lowest Price

When comparing company secretary fees, first separate government fees from service fees, then compare on the same "secretary + NAR1" baseline and verify contract terms item by item; do not focus on the lowest price alone. To compare company secretary plans available on the market, visit the services page for related information, or refer to the Hong Kong company formation cost overview and the homepage for further reading.