Company secretarial services ensure that a Hong Kong company maintains full statutory compliance throughout its lifecycle — from incorporation to dissolution. CityLinkers provides professional company secretarial services, helping clients manage registration, maintenance, administration, and corporate governance matters at every stage.
Is a Company Secretary Mandatory for a Hong Kong Company?
Yes. Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary. The secretary can be an individual ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, or a body corporate registered under the Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licensing regime. CityLinkers, as a TCSP licensee, serves as the professional company secretary for numerous Hong Kong companies.
What company secretarial services does CityLinkers provide?
CityLinkers offers a full range of company secretarial services covering the entire company lifecycle:
Formation & Registration
- Hong Kong company incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate application
- Share allotment and share certificate preparation
- Statutory register setup (Register of Directors, Shareholders, Secretaries)
Annual Maintenance
- Annual Return filing with the Companies Registry
- Business Registration Certificate renewal
- Statutory register updates
- AGM documentation preparation
Corporate Changes
- Director appointment/resignation
- Shareholder transfer and allotment
- Change of registered office
- Company name change
- Increase in authorised/nominal capital
Dissolution & Restoration
- Company deregistration (under Section 750 of Companies Ordinance)
- Strike-off restoration
- Winding up procedures
What is the Annual Return filing requirement?
Every Hong Kong company must file an Annual Return (Form NAR1) with the Companies Registry within 42 days after the anniversary of its incorporation date. The Annual Return must include updated information on:
- Directors and company secretary
- Shareholders and share capital
- Registered office address
- Company activities
Late filing incurs progressively higher registration fees (from HK$870 to HK$3,480 for private companies).
What is a TCSP license and Why is it required?
A TCSP (Trust or Company Service Provider) license is mandatory in Hong Kong under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) for any business providing company or trust services. CityLinkers holds a TCSP license, meaning all company secretarial services are delivered in full compliance with Hong Kong AML/CFT regulations.
What is the difference between a Company secretary of listed and non-listed companies?
For listed companies, the company secretary must meet additional qualification requirements under the HKEX Listing Rules, including being a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI), or a legal practitioner. The role involves complex corporate governance, board liaison, and continuous regulatory compliance.
For non-listed companies, the statutory qualification requirements are less stringent, but the company secretary must still ensure compliance with the Companies Ordinance, maintain statutory records, and file timely returns with the Companies Registry.
Why engage CityLinkers as your company secretary
Expertise and experience
CityLinkers has specialised expertise in company secretarial services and considerable experience in handling compliance, filings, and administrative tasks for clients. This approach has the potential to save time and ensure that tasks are completed to the highest standard.
Compliance assistance
At CityLinkers, we are committed to ensuring that our company is fully compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. They are committed to maintaining their knowledge of any changes to regulations and filings. This is an effective method of avoiding penalties for non-compliance.
Corporate governance
As your company secretary, CityLinkers will assist in ensuring good corporate governance and adherence to procedures. This approach fosters transparency and accountability, which are crucial for effective governance.
Board support
As your company secretary, CityLinkers will provide assistance to your board of directors with meetings, minutes, advice and governance matters. This optimises board effectiveness.
Confidentiality
As professionals and your company secretaries, CityLinkers are committed to maintaining the strictest confidentiality regarding sensitive company information and records. This provides reassurance and peace of mind.
