What is ACRA? A Guide for Business Owners

In this article

• 1. What is ACRA in Singapore?
• 2. Why is ACRA Important for Business Owners?
• 3. Who Must Register With ACRA?
• 4. What Can You Do Through Bizfile?
• 5. What Do You Need Before Registering A Company?
• 6. What is a UEN Used For?
• 7. How Much Does ACRA Registration Cost?
• 8. What Must You Do After Registering With ACRA?
• 9. ACRA Frequently Asked Questions

You cannot get very far with a new business in Singapore without coming across ACRA.

It is the government body behind business registration, company records and many of the filings that businesses need to complete each year. You may deal with it when choosing a company name, registering a business, changing a director or submitting an annual return.

The first registration is usually straightforward. The part business owners sometimes overlook is that ACRA remains relevant long after the company has been set up.

What is ACRA in Singapore?

ACRA is short for the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. It is a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Finance. Its job is to register businesses and oversee company compliance, financial reporting, public accountants and corporate service providers.

ACRA has been around since 2004, when the Registry of Companies and Businesses merged with the Public Accountants’ Board. It keeps the official record of your company and expects that record to remain accurate.

That includes details such as:

• Your registered address
• The people acting as directors
• Your company secretary
• Shareholder information
• Your business activities
• Your annual filings

When any of these details change, the update may need to be submitted to ACRA.

Why is ACRA Important for Business Owners?

ACRA gives a business its official place in Singapore’s business register. Without registration, a person may not be able to legally operate under a chosen business name. A registered company also receives documents and details that are commonly needed for opening a bank account, applying for licences, working with government agencies or entering into business contracts.

ACRA also makes some company information available for public searches. A customer, supplier or potential investor can check whether a business is registered and purchase a business profile for more details.

This is one reason accurate records matter. Outdated information can create confusion, especially when the company is dealing with a bank, government agency or business partner.

Who Must Register With ACRA?

Most people carrying out business for profit in Singapore will need to register. This can include a person running an online store, a partnership offering professional services or a company with employees and several shareholders. The common business structures registered through ACRA include sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships and companies.

Foreign companies that want to operate in Singapore may also need to register. There are some limited exceptions. For example, a person doing business using only their full legal name may not always need a separate business registration. Once extra words are added to the name, registration will usually be required.

The business structure should not be chosen only because one option looks easier. It affects who is responsible for debts, how ownership works and what filings must be completed later.

A sole proprietorship is closely tied to its owner. A private limited company, on the other hand, is treated as a separate legal entity.

What Can You Do Through Bizfile?

Most ACRA matters are handled through Bizfile, its online business filing portal. Older articles may still call it BizFile+, but the portal is now commonly referred to as Bizfile.

You can use it to register a new entity, reserve a business name, update company information and file annual returns.

It is also where you can look up another registered business or purchase documents such as a business profile.

A company may return to Bizfile for several reasons during the year. It could be something as simple as changing a registered address or adding a new director. Other transactions may involve shares, company officers or the closure of a business.

Most individual users sign in with Singpass. A company can also authorise a corporate secretary or service provider to handle certain filings.

What Do You Need Before Registering A Company?

The information needed depends on the business structure. A local private limited company generally needs an approved name, at least one shareholder and at least one director who meets the local residency requirement.

The company also needs a registered office address in Singapore. This address is used for official communication. It cannot simply be a PO box, and it should be a place where official notices and company records can be accessed when required.

You will also need to state what the company does. These activities are selected using Singapore Standard Industrial Classification codes, better known as SSIC codes.

Other information usually includes:

• The company’s financial year-end
• Share capital and shareholding details
• Identification details of directors and shareholders
• Contact details
• The company constitution

A company secretary does not always need to be appointed on the day of incorporation, but the appointment must be made within six months.

Once registration is approved, ACRA issues the business a Unique Entity Number.

What is a UEN Used For?

A Unique Entity Number, or UEN, works as the official identification number of a registered business. It is used across different government systems, which means the same number may appear when the company deals with ACRA, IRAS, CPF matters or licence applications. Banks and other organisations may also ask for it.

You are likely to see the UEN on invoices, contracts, tax documents, grant applications and official company records. It helps confirm exactly which registered entity is involved, especially when different businesses have similar names. For companies, the registration number must be clearly shown on invoices and other official business documents. E-invoicing software can add the correct company details automatically while keeping invoice records organised for accounting and year-end reporting.

How Much Does ACRA Registration Cost?

The amount depends on what you are registering. For a local company, a business name application costs S$15 and the company registration fee is S$300. The basic ACRA cost is therefore usually S$315.

These are government filing fees. They do not include the cost of engaging a company secretary, accountant, registered office provider or corporate service provider.

A simple registration may be approved quite quickly. It can take longer when the chosen name needs review or the proposed business activity requires approval from another agency.

What Must You Do After Registering With ACRA?

Receiving the UEN does not mean the ACRA work is finished. After registering your business with ACRA, the company must continue keeping its records up to date. Changes involving directors, shareholders, the company secretary, registered address or business activities should not be left sitting for months.

Companies are also expected to file an annual return. This filing confirms important information about the company and allows ACRA’s register to remain current. Even a company that has not been actively trading may still have filing duties while it remains registered. Accounting software helps keep sales, expenses, assets, liabilities and other transactions in one place. This makes it easier to prepare accurate financial statements when the company’s annual return is due.

Missing the annual return deadline can lead to a penalty. The late fee is S$300 when the return is filed within three months after the due date. It rises to S$600 when the delay goes beyond three months.

Longer or repeated non-compliance can create more serious problems. ACRA may take enforcement action, and a company that continues ignoring its duties could eventually be struck off the register.

ACRA may look like another administrative step when a business is first set up. In reality, it stays with the company throughout its life. Keeping the details correct and filing on time is usually much easier than dealing with penalties or fixing outdated records later.

ACRA Frequently Asked Questions