Short answer. There is no single published fee for a company secretary. Providers charge for the appointment, an annual retainer and event-based filings, while SSM’s own fees, such as RM150 for a private company annual return, are separate. Compare written, itemised quotes on scope, not only the headline price.
Axecta provides company secretarial service for companies across Malaysia. Talk to our team.
In this article
- Short version: two different kinds of money
- SSM fees you can verify
- How providers structure their fees
- Questions that decide whether a quote is complete
- Worked example (illustrative)
- What this means for different owners
- Be careful with very low prices
- Common mistakes when comparing fees
- How Axecta helps
- Next steps
- Frequently asked questions
Short version: two different kinds of money
When people search for the “company secretary appointment fee”, they usually mix up two things:
- The provider’s professional fee. This is what the secretarial firm or individual charges. SSM does not set it, and there is no official price list. It varies with the company’s complexity, the number of filings and what the engagement covers.
- Government charges. These are fees SSM charges for lodging documents. They are published, and they are the same whichever provider you use.
Keeping them apart makes quotes much easier to compare. This guide shows the SSM figures that are confirmed on its pages, then the structure of provider fees, then how to read a quote. For a broader price discussion see company secretary cost in Malaysia, and for the process see how to appoint a company secretary.
SSM fees you can verify
The figures below are as at October 2026 on SSM’s table of fees for registration of companies/Table-of-Fees.aspx). Always re-check the page before budgeting, since SSM can revise fees.
| Item | Private company | Public company |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return | RM150 | RM500 |
| Lodgement of financial statements, audited | RM50 | RM200 |
| Lodgement of financial statements, non-audited | RM20 | Not listed |
| Incorporation, company limited by shares | RM1,000 | RM1,000 |
| Name reservation | RM50 for every thirty days or part thereof, up to a maximum of 180 days | Same |
The table also contains a catch-all item, “lodgement of any document relating to company not specifically mentioned in this Schedule”, at RM100. SSM’s page does not say whether this applies to a change of secretary, and a change of secretary is not listed as its own item. Ask your provider which SSM charge, if any, applies before you accept a line item for it.
Fees that apply to the secretary personally
Your provider’s secretary pays SSM to hold the practising certificate, and that cost is usually absorbed into the retainer. SSM’s FAQ on practising certificates states that the application fee is RM100, and that renewal fees are RM100 for one year, RM200 for two years and RM300 for three years. The guideline adds continuing professional education requirements of 20 CPE hours for each year of validity, plus mandatory anti-money-laundering training from 1 January 2026. These costs sit behind the provider’s price, which is one reason very low quotes deserve a question.
How providers structure their fees
Need this done for you? Axecta’s company secretarial service team can handle this for your company. See the company secretarial service service.
| Fee type | What it usually covers | Typical question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment or onboarding | Consent, resolution, registers, section 58 notice, engagement set-up | Is this one-off or waived if I take the annual retainer? |
| Annual retainer | Acting as named secretary, maintaining registers, annual return, support for lodging financial statements | Does it include both the annual return and the financial statements lodgement? |
| Event-based | Change of director, address, shares, constitution; extra meetings; catch-up filings | Which changes are included, and what is the per-event price? |
| Registered office | Using the provider’s address for statutory mail | Is it included, and what happens to mail handling? |
| Exit or handover | Transfer of records to the next provider | Are records released on request without a fee? |
Annual return and financial statements are different filings with different dates, as explained in annual return vs financial statements. A quote that lists only one of them is a warning sign.
Questions that decide whether a quote is complete
| Question | Why it matters | Source of the requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the named secretary and what is their practising certificate number? | A secretary must be registered before acting | Section 241 of the Companies Act 2016 |
| Is the certificate active? | The MBRS lodger must have an active certificate | SSM MBRS page |
| Who lodges and who prepares the XBRL file? | MBRS has separate lodger and maker roles | SSM MBRS page |
| Are SSM charges included or passed through at cost? | The filing fee is separate from the provider’s fee | SSM table of fees |
| Is a digital certificate cost included? | Lodger roles must purchase a digital certificate via mPortal | SSM MBRS page |
| What is the response time for changes? | Section 58 notices must be lodged within 14 days | Companies Act 2016, section 58 |
| What happens if the named secretary leaves? | The office may not be vacant for more than 30 days | Section 240 |
The MBRS page does not state the price of the digital certificate, so ask the provider or the certificate issuer it names rather than assuming a figure.
Worked example (illustrative)
Take a small private company that has audited financial statements. Using SSM’s published figures, the government charges for the annual cycle are the annual return at RM150 plus the lodgement of audited financial statements at RM50, a total of RM200. If the same company is exempt from audit and files non-audited statements, the lodgement fee is RM20 and the total is RM170. These are statutory amounts only. The secretarial retainer, any extra filings and any registered-office service come on top, at whatever the provider charges.
Now compare two hypothetical quotes for the same company. Quote A lists a lower retainer but excludes the financial statements lodgement and charges per change. Quote B has a higher retainer that includes both filings and two director or address changes a year. If the company changes a director and an address in the year, Quote A may end up costing more. The comparison is only possible if both quotes are in writing and itemised, which is the main reason to ask for that.
What this means for different owners
- New Sdn Bhd. Incorporation costs and the first secretary appointment usually come together. Read the cost of setting up a Sdn Bhd for the full list of start-up items.
- Dormant or quiet company. A low retainer can be sensible if you rarely change directors or shares, provided the annual return and financial statements are still lodged on time.
- Foreign-owned company. The secretary must be a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident, so price a local provider from day one, and ask for AML/KYC document requirements, since secretaries who provide a registered office or nominee services are reporting institutions under SSM’s guideline.
- Growing SME. Expect more event-based work: share issues, new directors, bank resolutions and meetings. A package covering these may beat pay-per-event.
Be careful with very low prices
A low fee can be fair for a quiet company, but check what has been left out. Typical gaps are the financial statements lodgement, change filings, reminders, a named backup secretary and release of records at exit. The cost of missing a deadline is also real. Late lodgement can lead to enforcement, as the annual return duty in section 68.pdf) carries offences, and our guide on failing to submit an annual return explains the consequences.
Common mistakes when comparing fees
- Comparing a retainer that includes filings with one that excludes them.
- Assuming SSM charges are included when the quote says “excluding government fees”.
- Not asking who the named practising certificate holder is.
- Paying a large upfront fee with no written scope.
- Ignoring exit terms until you want to change provider. See how to switch company secretary provider.
How Axecta helps
Axecta sets out scope and fees in writing, separating retainer items from event-based items and SSM charges, so you can see what you pay for. Companies that also use Axecta for accounting and tax get one calendar across the annual return, financial statements and tax filings. Ask for a quote through our company secretarial service.
Next steps
- List what your company needs this year: annual return, financial statements lodgement, expected changes, registered office.
- Ask two or three providers for itemised written quotes against that list.
- Check each quote against the questions table above.
- Confirm the named secretary’s practising certificate before signing.
- Budget the SSM charges separately, and check the current table of fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to appoint a company secretary in Malaysia?
There is no official price. Providers set their own fees for the appointment, annual retainer and event-based work. SSM’s separate charges are published, for example RM150 for a private company annual return and RM50 for lodging audited financial statements as at October 2026.
Does SSM charge a fee to change company secretary?
SSM’s table of fees does not list a separate item for a change of secretary. It does list a catch-all of RM100 for lodging documents not specifically mentioned, but the page does not say that applies. Ask your provider which charge applies.
Is the annual return fee included in the secretary’s retainer?
Not always. Many quotes cover preparing and lodging the annual return but state SSM’s fee separately. SSM’s table lists RM150 for a private company annual return. Ask whether government fees are included or passed through at cost.
What does a company secretary retainer usually cover?
Typically acting as named secretary, maintaining statutory registers, preparing and lodging the annual return and supporting financial statements lodgement. Director changes, share issues and extra meetings are often billed as events. Check the scope in writing.
Why do company secretary fees vary so much?
Scope, company size and shareholder structure all differ, and the secretary must hold a practising certificate, complete continuing education and now AML training, all of which cost the provider. A low fee may exclude filings or changes that another quote includes.
How much does a practising certificate cost?
SSM’s practising certificate FAQ states an application fee of RM100 and renewal fees of RM100, RM200 or RM300 for one, two or three years. The secretary pays this, not the company, though providers may reflect it in their pricing.
Are there fees to file the financial statements with SSM?
Yes. SSM’s table lists RM50 for a private company with audited financial statements and RM20 for non-audited ones. Public companies pay RM200 for audited statements. These are separate from the provider’s fee.
Can I pay per filing instead of an annual retainer?
Some providers offer it, but you carry the risk of missing recurring deadlines. A retainer with a calendar is usually safer for the annual return and financial statements. Compare the total for a year of expected activity.
Should I choose the cheapest company secretary?
Not on price alone. Confirm the practising certificate is active, that the quote covers the filings you need, and what happens if the named secretary leaves. A cheap quote with exclusions can cost more by year end.
Want a transparent, itemised quote?
Axecta Management Services is a full-suite accounting, company secretarial and consulting firm in Kuala Lumpur, serving companies from SMEs to MNCs.
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Keep reading
- How Much Does a Company Secretary Cost in Malaysia?
- How to Appoint a Company Secretary in Malaysia (Step-by-Step)
- How to Switch Company Secretary Provider Without Disruption
- Company Secretary Practising Certificate (Section 241): Why It Matters
- Documents Needed to Appoint a Company Secretary (Checklist)
- How to Appoint a Company Secretary: the full guide
Official sources to check
- SSM table of fees (ROC)
- SSM guideline on practising certificates under section 241
- SSM MBRS page
- SSM FAQ on practising certificates
This article is general information and not legal, tax or accounting advice for your company. Rates, thresholds, deadlines and procedures change, so confirm current requirements with the sources above or with Axecta.