STARTUPS · SINGAPORE

Accounting & tax for Singapore startups.

The first year creates the accounting foundation investors, banks and IRAS will later rely on. We help founders choose a sensible financial year end, set up clean books, track runway and meet the first ECI, tax and ACRA deadlines without building a finance team too early.

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Where the process usually starts to strain.

Founder expenses, share capital and early revenue mixed across accounts
No clear view of burn rate, runway or monthly recurring revenue
Uncertainty about the first ECI, corporate tax and annual-return dates
Payroll, CPF and employee records appearing as the first hires join
Books that are not ready when an investor or grant application asks

A practical path forward.

01

At incorporation

Set the financial year end, statutory records, banking and accounting workflow.

02

Before the first hire

Put payroll, CPF, claims and employment reporting on a repeatable process.

03

At financial year end

Close the books, prepare statements and assess the first ECI obligation.

04

As funding or revenue grows

Add management reporting, GST monitoring and a clearer cash forecast.

Support shaped around this stage.

Incorporation & Corporate Secretary

Company setup, corporate secretary and ACRA records arranged around the founder’s first-year timeline.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Monthly books and runway reporting that separate founder spending, capital and operating activity.

Corporate Tax

First ECI and annual corporate tax return prepared from records that are already in order.

Payroll

CPF, payslips and employee reporting introduced before the first payroll becomes a scramble.

PRACTITIONER NOTES

What matters in practice.

  • A new company may need to file ECI within three months after its first FYE even if it has not received a filing notification.
  • If the first set of accounts spans more than 12 months, taxable results may need to be attributed across two Years of Assessment.
  • Choose a reporting rhythm before fundraising; rebuilding inconsistent founder-era books during due diligence costs more.

A SENSIBLE START

Essentials

A lean compliance foundation usually fits first; reporting, GST and payroll can expand as revenue and headcount grow.

For dormant or small companies and early-stage startups.

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Common questions.

When does a new Singapore company file its first tax return?

It depends on when the company starts business, earns income and closes its first accounts. ECI is generally due within three months after FYE unless waived; the annual return follows the relevant Year of Assessment timetable.

Does a pre-revenue startup need an accountant?

It may not need a large monthly scope, but it still needs clean records, statutory filings and a reliable way to separate company and founder transactions.

When should a startup register for GST?

Registration depends on taxable turnover and the retrospective or prospective tests. Monitoring should begin before the business approaches the threshold.

Other situations we help with.

Accounting for growing smesAccounting for dormant companies

Make the next finance step a clear one.

Tell us where the business is now. We’ll recommend a proportionate scope.

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