If you’re budgeting for a new Sdn Bhd or comparing providers, here’s the honest answer on company secretary fee Malaysia businesses typically pay: most companies spend somewhere between RM600 and RM3,000 a year on their company secretary retainer, with the actual number depending on your company’s size, activity level, and what’s bundled into the package.
This guide breaks down what drives that range, what’s usually included versus charged separately, and how to compare quotes properly so you don’t get caught by hidden fees later.
Company Secretary Fee Malaysia: Typical Price Ranges
| Fee Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual company secretary retainer | RM600 – RM3,000 / year | Covers being your named secretary, basic compliance advisory, and maintaining statutory registers |
| Annual return preparation & filing | RM300 – RM800 | Sometimes bundled into the retainer, sometimes billed separately — always ask |
| Incorporation package (new Sdn Bhd) | RM800 – RM2,500 | On top of the official SSM fee of about RM1,050 – RM1,060 |
| Change of company secretary | RM200 – RM400 | One-off filing fee |
| Change of director / shareholder | RM200 – RM300 per change | Per event, not annual |
| Share transfer or allotment | RM200 – RM400 | Depends on complexity of the share structure |
| Change of company name | RM500 and up | Includes SSM’s own name-change fee |
| SSM annual return lodgement (statutory) | RM150 | Fixed government fee, separate from your provider’s service fee |
These are general market ranges to help you budget, not our published pricing. Get a free quote for a number specific to your company.
What Affects Your Company Secretary Fee Malaysia Price?
1. Company size and activity level
A dormant or simple single-director company is cheaper to maintain than one with multiple shareholders, frequent share transactions, or regular director changes. More activity means more filings, and more filings mean more work for your secretary.
2. What’s bundled into the retainer
Some providers bundle annual return filing, registered office address, and basic advisory into one retainer. Others charge a low base fee, then bill separately for almost everything. The headline number isn’t the full picture until you know what’s included.
3. Registered office address
If you don’t have your own commercial address, using your secretary’s office as your registered address is usually either included or a modest add-on. If you need this, confirm it’s covered before comparing prices across providers.
4. Responsiveness and advisory support
A secretary who proactively reminds you of deadlines and advises on compliance issues, rather than one who only reacts when you ask, tends to sit at the higher end of the range. For a growing business, this is often worth paying for, since missed deadlines cost more than the fee difference.
5. Industry or structure complexity
Companies with foreign shareholders, nominee director arrangements, or regulated business activities often need more secretarial attention, which is usually reflected in the fee.
Company Secretary Fee Malaysia: What’s Usually Included?
A standard annual retainer typically covers:
- Acting as your company’s named company secretary
- Maintaining statutory registers (members, directors, charges)
- Basic compliance advisory and deadline reminders
- Safekeeping of the company’s statutory documents
It often does not include, unless specifically stated: annual return preparation and filing, AGM or board meeting support, share transactions, or changes to company particulars. Always ask for a full breakdown rather than assuming.
Hidden Fees to Watch For
When comparing quotes, these are the areas where providers most often add charges that catch business owners off guard:
- Per-resolution charges — some low-retainer plans charge separately for every board resolution drafted
- Annual return as an add-on — a cheap retainer that excludes annual return filing can end up costing more than a higher all-in quote
- Exit or transfer fees — some providers charge to release your statutory documents if you switch secretaries
- Late response penalties — urgent requests outside normal turnaround may carry a rush fee
Ask for these upfront. A provider that’s transparent about its full fee structure is usually one you’ll have an easier relationship with later.
Is It Worth Paying More for a Company Secretary?
The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Since the company secretary is a company officer under the Companies Act 2016, and directors remain personally responsible for compliance, a secretary who misses deadlines or gives poor advice can cost you far more in penalties and stress than the fee difference between providers. For most businesses, it’s worth weighing responsiveness and completeness of service alongside price, not price alone.
Company Secretary Fee Malaysia: How to Get an Accurate Quote
To compare quotes properly, ask each provider:
- Does the quote include annual return preparation and filing, or is that separate?
- Is a registered office address included?
- What triggers an additional charge (director changes, share transfers, resolutions)?
- What’s the typical turnaround time for requests?
Whether you’re incorporating a new Sdn Bhd or reviewing your current arrangement, see our Company Secretary services for what’s included, then get in touch for a quote specific to your company.
Want a clear, no-surprises quote? Get a free quote and we’ll give you a full breakdown of what’s included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does a company secretary cost in Malaysia?
Most companies pay between RM600 and RM3,000 a year for their company secretary retainer, depending on company size, activity level, and what’s included in the package.
Q. Is the company secretary fee a one-time or recurring cost?
It’s recurring. A company secretary is a continuing statutory requirement, not a one-off appointment, so the retainer is typically billed annually or monthly.
Q. Does the company secretary fee include the SSM annual return fee?
Not always. The RM150 annual return lodgement fee is a separate statutory payment to SSM, on top of your provider’s own service fee for preparing and filing it. Always check whether it’s bundled.
Q. Why do company secretary fees vary so much between providers?
Pricing depends on what’s bundled into the retainer, how responsive and proactive the service is, and your company’s complexity. A low headline price with many add-on charges can end up costing more than a higher all-inclusive quote.
Q. Can I switch company secretary providers if the fees are too high?
Yes. You can change your company secretary at any time, provided a new one is appointed before the old one resigns and the change is properly lodged with SSM.
