PROFESSIONAL SERVICES · SINGAPORE
Accounting & tax for agencies and consultancies.
Agencies, consultancies and creative studios bill by project or retainer, work with freelancers, and often serve overseas clients. Each of those has a tax and GST wrinkle. We keep the books project-aware and the filings correct.
The challenges we see in Professional Services.
How we help agencies and consultancies.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Revenue and work-in-progress tracked by project or retainer so each engagement's profitability is clear.
Learn moreCorporate Tax
ECI and Form C-S handled, with deductible expenses captured across projects.
Learn morePersonal Tax & GST
Correct zero-rating of exported services to overseas clients, with the evidence to back it.
Learn moreWHAT TO WATCH FOR
Compliance notes for Professional Services.
- Services supplied to overseas clients can be zero-rated for GST, but only with proper documentation of the customer's belonging status.
- Paying long-term freelancers like staff can create CPF and employment obligations — the contractor/employee line matters.
Typical setup
Commonly a Pte Ltd on Xero with project or time-tracking add-ons; lower transaction count but higher invoice values.
Recommended: Growth
Agencies and consultancies usually want project-level reporting and clean tax filing — the Growth tier covers management accounts and compliance.
See packagesProfessional Services accounting — common questions.
Are my fees to overseas clients subject to GST?
Many international services qualify for zero-rating (0% GST), but you must document that the client belongs overseas. We make sure the treatment and records are correct.
Do I owe CPF on payments to freelancers?
Genuine independent contractors generally don't attract CPF, but if the arrangement looks like employment, obligations can arise. We help you classify it correctly.
How should I recognise revenue on long projects?
Revenue should match the period the work is delivered, not just when you invoice. We set up bookkeeping that reflects project progress.
GUIDES & TOOLS
Useful next steps for agencies and consultancies.
Accounting guide
Outsourced Accounting for Singapore SMEs
What outsourced accounting includes, when it makes sense, and how to choose the right level of support for your business.
Open resourceBusiness structure guide
Sole Proprietorship vs Pte Ltd in Singapore
Compare liability, tax, compliance, ownership and growth considerations before choosing a business structure.
Open resourceOther industries we serve.
Run agencies and consultancies? Let's talk.
Book a free consultation and we'll map out exactly how we keep your books and filings clean — and recommend the right package.