4 Must Know for Choosing a Company Secretary in Hong Kong

How to choose a reliable company formation agent?

Selecting a trustworthy company company agent is essential for effectively managing and maintaining your business. As you may know, in Hong Kong, it is mandatory to appoint a company secretary, whether it be an individual or a corporate entity. While a lot of company secretaries / company formation agents offer similar services, it is crucial to compare them and consider the following tips for choosing a reliable and professional one. In this article, I will be listing out the main tips for choosing a professional and reliable company secretary.

Qualifications and expertise:

When selecting a reliable company secretary / company formation agent, one of the key factors to consider is their qualifications and expertise. One crucial qualification to look for is a TCSP (Trust or Company Service Provider) license. This license is a mandatory requirement under the Companies Registries and ensures that the firm is authorized to provide company secretarial services. Choosing a company secretary with a valid TCSP license gives you the assurance that they meet the necessary regulatory standards.

Additionally, it is important to consider the company secretary’s knowledge and expertise in Hong Kong laws and regulations. Since every jurisdiction has its own specific requirements, having a company secretary who is well-versed in Hong Kong’s legal framework is essential. This expertise enables them to guide and assist your business in complying with the relevant laws.

Are they HK based?

Other than skills and qualifications, having staff members who are Hong Kong residents can be advantageous. Local Hong Kong residents are likely to have a deeper understanding of the local business environment, including cultural nuances and connections with local firms or financial institutions. This familiarity with Hong Kong’s unique context allows them to provide valuable insights and advice tailored to your specific business needs.

For example, at Get Started HK, all staff members are Hong Kong residents, ensuring a strong connection to the local community. Our knowledge of Hong Kong’s rules, regulations, and culture enables us to offer comprehensive support and guidance for your business. Which is why when choosing a reliable company secretary, it is essential to prioritize qualifications such as a TCSP license, expertise in local laws, and a team that includes Hong Kong residents who can provide valuable insights into the local business environment.

Pricing and transparency:

Pricing and transparency are another important consideration when choosing a company secretary. Some dishonest company secretaries will claim to provide “unlimited changes” services during the year. In fact, they only include a small variety of basic service. When you ask them to provide additional support such as share transfer, they will ask you to pay for stamp duty, etc.

To avoid such situations, it is crucial to ensure that the company secretary you choose provides transparency in pricing. Avoid choosing those who exaggerate their service level, and having small prints in the terms and conditions. An honest secretary will often outline the services to you in the email, and they will quote you for each item.

At Get Started HK, transparency in pricing is emphasized. We commit to providing a clear understanding of the services included and informing clients of the price upfront. This approach ensures that there are no hidden charges, and you can make an informed decision based on the complete picture of the services and associated costs. By choosing a company secretary that prioritizes transparency in pricing, you can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t encounter unexpected expenses and that you have a clear understanding of the services you will receive for the agreed-upon price.

Check Google reviews:

Checking the reviews can indeed be a valuable approach to assess the credibility and professionalism of a company secretary firm. Reviews provide insights into the experiences and opinions of previous clients, aiding in the decision-making process.

However, not all company formation agents are trustworthy. For example, there is a Hong Kong company formation agent who bought a Trustpilot account from a UK company. If you check the old reviews, you can see the company names are different. If you further check the record, you can see that the specific company formation agent was only registered in recent years, and does not match with the history of that particular Trustpilot account.

By analysing reviews, you can gain a better understanding of how the company secretary firm treats its clients and the overall satisfaction level of their clientele. It helps set realistic expectations and informs your decision-making process, allowing you to choose a company secretary that aligns with your needs and preferences.

Keep in mind that while reviews can be insightful, it is advisable to consider them in conjunction with other factors such as the firm’s experience, expertise, and reputation in the industry. This comprehensive approach will provide a more accurate picture of the company secretary firm and assist you in making an informed decision.

Having said that, we take pride in the authenticity and reliability of all our Google reviews. Being a Hong Kong-based company, we offer valuable insights into the local market and the prevailing business mindset, which can greatly contribute to the development of your strategic business plans. Get Started HK Limited is often regarded as the best company formation agent in Hong Kong, and we are also the only firm which published hundreds of video testimonials online.

Contact Us

Take this opportunity and consider appointing us as your trusted company secretary for a seamless company formation experience. We are 100% based in Hong Kong and our extensive knowledge and experience in the field enable us to provide comprehensive support tailored to your specific needs.

We are genuinely enthusiastic about assisting you in your HK company formation and are fully committed to delivering excellent service. Feel free to reach out to us at info@getstarted.hk and we will be more than happy to provide the assistance you require!

Illustration Source: Freepik