Annual General Meeting: A Comprehensive Guide to Singapore Business Owners

Convening an Annual General Meeting (AGM), on a yearly basis, is mandatory for every Singapore company setup. It is a compliance requirement issued by the ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority). Many business owners, running after the success, overlook the importance of the fact.

Failure to hold a company’s AGM can cause them multiple complications, anxiety, and business disruption. The company and its directors will be held responsible if a company failed to do so. The ACRA may impose a penalty fine and issue a court summons to the company and its directors. Eventually, the imposition of court summons and penalty fine may result in anxiety and set back to the business operation.

If you are new to Singapore company incorporation, this blog will guide you on various aspects of the AGM and why it is important to hold one as per the rules.

What is an Annual General Meeting?

In accordance with the Singapore Companies Act:

• A newly set up company in Singapore must hold its first AGM within 18 months from the date of its incorporation.
• Afterwards, succeeding meetings have to be held once in every fiscal year.
• Succeeding AGM’s should not be more than 15 months from previous AGM.

At the Annual General Meeting, every company has to present its financial statements before the shareholders so that they could get an idea of the financial health of the company. It is one of the main reasons why all local and overseas companies incorporated in Singapore must convey their AGM.

What is the Dispensation of the Annual General Meeting (AGM)?

Under section 175 (A) of the Singapore Companies Act, the private limited companies can choose not to hold their AGM if all the members and shareholders agreed to pass a written resolution. Once the decision on the dispensation of the AGM has been made, all matters which are to be discussed at the AGM can be settled by passing written resolutions to all the members.

However, there are some obligations that have to be followed after dispensation:

• Preparing the company’s financial statements at the end of each fiscal year.
• Sending the financial statements and other documents, including the Directors’ Report and Statement to the shareholders and members.
• Circulating the AGM related resolutions which shareholders have to pass by written means.

How to hold an AGM of Your Singapore Company?

A quorum has to be formed with a minimum number of persons required to be to present at the AGM, which has to be legally valid. Generally, the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association (M&AA) of the company specify the quorum. In case, the quorum is not mentioned in M&AA, any 2 members or proxies present at the meeting can join the quorum.

Annual General Meetings are conducted under the leadership of the Chairman of the meeting, who is usually the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman governs the conduct of the meeting to ensure that it is running in a proper manner.

• Proceedings of Annual General Meeting
• Formation and meeting of a quorum (A proxy may be appointed)
• The Chairman will conduct the meeting
• Minutes of the meeting to be recorded
• Laying the account for the year
• Discussion of any matters stated in the notice of AGM

Subsequent to the Annual General Meeting, the minutes of the meeting, including resolutions, the appointments of officers, and the declaration of interest transactions have to be entered in the minute book. Lastly, the Chairman will sign the minutes of the meeting at the end.

What if my company need an extension of time to hold its AGM?

In case, your company is unable to hold AGM within the given time-frame, you can file an application for Extension of Time (EOT) with ACRA under the section 175 or section 201 of the Companies Act (whichever is applicable).

As per the rule, Company’s officer (director or the company secretary) or a professional firm on behalf of the company can apply for the EOT. Just like all other transactions with ACRA, this application is also made using the BizFile+ portal. ACRA will grant up to two months of extension only, and the cost of an extension is S$200.

How do I notify ACRA that my company have complied and held an AGM on time?

A company can notify ACRA that its AGM was held within the deadline by submitting its Annual Returns using the BizFile+ portal. Only an officer or director of the company is allowed to access BizFile+ using a valid UEN ID and CorpPass ID.

Alternatively, you could hire an experienced registered filing agent like SBS Consulting Pte Ltd to submit the annual returns on your behalf. Contact us on +65-6536 0036 or send your queries on info@sbsgroup.com.sg.