Questions, grouped by topic

Because a published number is either wrong for you or padded to cover the worst case. Two companies of similar size can require very different amounts of work depending on transaction volume, group structure, outstanding filings and the condition of the records. We scope first, then quote in writing. That's step two of how we work.

Usually the same or next working day. Enquiries go to the person who will scope the work, not to a general queue.

Yes, and most clients do. Corporate secretarial and accounting are the common starting points; payroll and advisory tend to follow as headcount and complexity grow. Each addition is scoped on its own rather than bundled by default.

We request the statutory records and accounting files, review what's actually on file, flag anything overdue or missing, and handle the lodgements that formalise the change. You get a short written summary of what we found before we take over, so there are no surprises attributed to us later.

We start with a short conversation to understand the business, what is already in place and what needs attention. If we can help, we send you a written scope covering the work, responsibilities, timing and fees before anything begins.

Access to client records is limited to the people working on the engagement. We use appropriate access controls and secure systems for financial, payroll and corporate records, and do not share client information outside the engagement except where authorised or legally required.

Elev8te is deliberately boutique. The person who scopes your engagement stays involved in it. That's the whole point of the model.

Once the proposed name, KYC information and incorporation documents are ready, straightforward registrations can often be completed quickly. Cases referred for further review, or those involving more complex ownership or overseas parties, can take longer.

A Singapore private limited company must have at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore. If you don't have one yet, that shapes the structuring conversation before you commit to an entity type.

It depends on liability exposure, how you intend to bring in shareholders or investors, and how profits will be taxed and extracted. Most growing companies land on a private limited company, but we'd rather walk through your case than assume.

Yes. We prepare the documentation banks ask for and coordinate the opening alongside incorporation. Approval remains the bank's decision, but the paperwork rarely needs to be the reason for delay.

Yes, where this forms part of your engagement. A Singapore company must maintain a registered office in Singapore where official communications and notices can be received. We can explain the current requirements and what is included in our registered-office service.

Maintains the statutory registers, prepares board and general meeting documentation, files the annual return and other BizFile lodgements, records share allotments and transfers, keeps the controllers register current, and tracks the compliance calendar so deadlines are met before they're breached.

It's recoverable, and more common than people expect. We establish what's outstanding, bring the filings up to date and deal with the registry on the late lodgement. The sooner it's addressed, the smaller the problem stays.

We first check whether the company meets ACRA's strike-off criteria and whether there are outstanding tax, regulatory, asset or liability issues that need to be resolved. If strike-off is not appropriate, we will explain the alternatives.

Yes. We request the statutory records, review what's actually on file, flag anything overdue, and lodge the change. You'll get a short summary of what we found before we take it on.

Many small Singapore companies qualify for audit exemption, but the test turns on revenue, total assets and headcount, and on your group structure. We confirm where you sit and, where an audit is required, prepare the file and liaise with the auditor.

XBRL is the structured format ACRA requires financial statements to be filed in. Whether full or simplified tagging applies depends on your company's profile. Most rejections come from careless auto-mapping, so we review the tagging rather than trusting the default.

GST registration is generally compulsory when taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million under the retrospective or prospective registration tests. Voluntary registration may also be appropriate in some circumstances, subject to IRAS requirements.

ECI is the estimate of chargeable income filed shortly after your financial year end; Form C-S (or Form C) is the annual corporate tax return. Both have fixed deadlines, and both sit on the compliance calendar we maintain for you.

Yes, and it's more common than you'd think. We scope the catch-up separately from the ongoing work so you can see exactly what the backlog costs before committing to a monthly arrangement.

There isn't a floor. Even a two-person company has CPF submissions, itemised payslip requirements and IR8A at year-end. Size affects the fee, not whether the obligations apply.

Where tax clearance is required for a departing non-Singapore citizen employee, we can assist with the Form IR21 process and coordinate it with the final payroll. We will first confirm whether the employee falls within the tax-clearance requirements.

Yes, and it usually makes sense to. Claims are already tied to the payroll cycle, so checking and scheduling them in the same run removes a separate approval chain.

Payroll is handled by a named contact on our side, not passed around a team. Access is limited to the people doing the work, and records are kept for the retention periods the law requires.

A standing monthly or quarterly rhythm: management reporting reviewed together, a rolling forecast and cash view, and the specific piece the quarter needs: a budget, a costing review, a board pack, or transaction support. Scoped up front, so you aren't buying open-ended hours.

Yes, financial models, working capital analysis, investor presentations, data room preparation, and coordination with counsel and advisers. This is mandate work and is scoped separately from a monthly retainer.

We provide valuation support: the models, analysis and scenario work behind a valuation discussion, and the materials that go with it. Where a formal valuation opinion is required for a regulatory or audit purpose, that is a separate specialist engagement, and we'll say so rather than stretch the scope.

Looking at how cash, payments and approvals actually move through the business, rather than how the policy says they do, and identifying where a small finance team has ended up without workable segregation of duties. The output is a short list of practical changes sized to the business, not a compliance manual.

Often the right answer is both: a capable finance manager handling day-to-day, with senior judgement above it. Where the honest answer is that you should hire, we'll say so.