{"id":264266,"date":"2026-10-19T17:55:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T09:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.lionsworld.com.sg\/?p=264266"},"modified":"2026-10-19T17:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T09:55:45","slug":"secretary-resigned-what-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.lionsworld.com.sg\/secretary-resigned-what-now\/","title":{"rendered":"My Company Secretary Resigned or Stopped Replying: How Long Do I Have, and What to Do This Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Quick answer<\/p>\n

If your company secretary resigned, the clock is running: ACRA says the position cannot be empty for more than six months<\/strong>. If it is, the director may face a fine of up to $1,000<\/strong>.[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Separately, any appointment or withdrawal of a company secretary must be filed with ACRA on Bizfile within 14 days<\/strong> of the change.[2]<\/a><\/sup> Treat six months as the outer limit, not a grace period. Start this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Maybe your company secretary resigned by email. Or they’ve simply stopped answering, and you’re not sure whether anyone is looking after your filings. Either way, the company is not in trouble yet, but two clocks may now be running. This guide explains both deadlines using ACRA’s own rules, then gives you a day-by-day plan for the first week.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \"An\n
An empty secretary seat isn’t a crisis on day one, but it can’t stay empty for long. Photo: Pacific Office Interiors<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

Two deadlines: six months and 14 days<\/h2>\n

People often mix these up. They measure different things:<\/p>\n\n

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n
Deadline<\/th>\n What it covers<\/th>\n If you miss it<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
6 months<\/strong><\/td>\n The longest the secretary position can be empty[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n The director may face a fine of up to $1,000[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
14 days<\/strong><\/td>\n Telling ACRA about the change: the old secretary’s withdrawal and the new secretary’s appointment[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n ACRA’s record is out of date, and from 20 October 2026 you must fix it before your next annual return[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n

Your directors stay responsible for the company’s compliance while the seat is empty. A missed annual return or AGM during the gap is still the directors’ problem, whether or not anyone is there to remind them. (Our ACRA filing deadlines guide<\/a> lists the dates to watch.)<\/p>\n\n\n

Who can replace them<\/h2>\n

ACRA’s rules for a company secretary are short. The person must:[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n