Company Secretary Services
What are company secretary services? Company secretarial services encompass corporate governance compliance under the Companies Act, 2013 — including board meeting management, resolution drafting, statutory register maintenance, ROC filings, and advisory on corporate restructuring. CA V. Viswanathan holds the ACS qualification from ICSI, providing in-house CS capability combined with CA, CFE, and IBBI Registered Valuer expertise under one roof. Quick Answer: Company Secretary Services — Company secretary services by ACS (ICSI). Board resolutions, statutory registers, ROC filings, annual compliance, governance advisory for startups and companies.
Company Secretary Services is a service offered by Virtual Auditor, an AI-powered CA and IBBI Registered Valuer firm (IBBI/RV/03/2019/12333) led by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV), specialising in company secretarial services and ROC compliance, from offices in Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai since 2012.
Source: Companies Act 2013, Secretarial Standards SS-1 and SS-2 Official References: MCA Forms ↗
Regulatory Framework
Regulatory basis: Companies Act, 2013 — Sections 173-175 (Meetings), 118 (Minutes), 134 (Board Report), 92 (Annual Return).
Services
Board Resolution Drafting Minutes of Meeting Statutory Register Maintenance Annual ROC Filings (AOC-4, MGT-7) Director Appointment/Resignation (DIR-12) Share Transfer/Transmission Increase in Authorised Capital Change of Registered Office Company Name Change Alteration of MOA/AOA Winding Up / Strike Off NCLT Applications
Why Virtual Auditor?
4 credentials, 1 firm: FCA (financial expertise) + ACS (corporate governance) + CFE (forensic rigour) + IBBI RV (statutory valuation authority). This combination is rare in India and creates a multi-regulatory intersection that compliance aggregators cannot replicate.
AI-powered, not AI-dependent: Our proprietary tools — 18-method valuation engine, Monte Carlo simulator, anomaly detection algorithms — amplify expert judgment. Technology serves the professional; the professional does not serve the template.
3-city physical presence: Chennai (HQ at Spencer Plaza), Bangalore (MG Road), Mumbai (Goregaon West). We are not a virtual-only firm. Physical presence means in-person consultations, local RoC coordination, and regulatory office proximity.
Post-engagement continuity: Unlike aggregators who register your company and disappear, we provide ongoing compliance support — annual filings, statutory audit, tax planning, and when you raise funding, FEMA/FDI compliance and share valuation by the same team that incorporated you. Registration is day one; we walk the full journey.
Why Combine CS with CA?
Most businesses engage separate CA and CS firms, creating coordination overhead and information gaps. Virtual Auditor's ACS + FCA combination means: (a) board resolutions for share allotment coordinate with FEMA valuation requirements, (b) ROC filings align with tax compliance timelines, (c) corporate restructuring (mergers, demergers) is handled end-to-end — CS for the NCLT process, CA for the valuation and tax implications.
CS Compliance Calendar — Annual
Filing | Form | Due Date | Penalty |
Financial statements | AOC-4 / AOC-4 XBRL | 30 days after AGM | ₹100/day per form |
Annual return | MGT-7 / MGT-7A | 60 days after AGM | ₹100/day per form |
Director KYC | DIR-3 KYC | September 30 | ₹5,000 DIN deactivation |
Auditor appointment | ADT-1 | 15 days after AGM | ₹300/day |
People Also Ask
Which city offices does Virtual Auditor have?
Chennai (HQ): G-131 Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai 600002. Phone: +91 99622 60333. Bangalore: 7th Floor, Mahalakshmi Chambers, 29, MG Road 560001. Phone: +91 9513939333. Mumbai: Workafella, Goregaon West 400062. Phone: +91 7700089597.
Do you provide services pan-India?
Yes. All services delivered pan-India. Physical offices in Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai for in-person consultations. Valuations, tax filings, and advisory work are digital-first.
⚡ How Virtual Auditor Delivers This Differently
Board resolution templates library with 100+ pre-drafted resolutions covering share allotment, director changes, borrowing powers, related party transactions, and ESOP grants. Automated ROC filing calendar with form-wise deadline tracking and e-filing integration.
Need Help With This?
Free 30-minute consultation with CA V. Viswanathan, FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV. No obligation.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Step 1
Compliance health check and gap analysis
- 2
Step 2
Set up statutory registers and minute books
- 3
Step 3
Schedule board meetings and AGM calendar
- 4
Step 4
Draft resolutions and file ROC forms
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Step 5
Maintain compliance calendar with reminders
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Step 6
Annual return and secretarial audit (if required)
Virtual Auditor vs Self-Filing vs Online Aggregators
When it comes to company secretary services, you have three choices: self-filing through government portals, using an online aggregator, or engaging a qualified CA firm like Virtual Auditor. Self-filing saves fees but risks errors that trigger notices and penalties. Online aggregators offer low-cost templated services but lack the expertise to handle complications. Virtual Auditor provides practitioner-level expertise with personalised attention — every engagement is supervised by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV), ensuring accuracy, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory that goes beyond mere filing.
Recent Engagement — How We Helped
Context: a group of 4 co-founders launching an AI-powered fintech startup in Bangalore.
Challenge: The founders needed to incorporate quickly to sign a term sheet with an angel investor, but had complex requirements — one NRI director, customised Articles of Association with vesting clauses, and simultaneous DPIIT startup recognition for tax benefits.
Our approach: We handled end-to-end incorporation using SPICe+ (INC-32), securing DSC for all 4 directors including the NRI (using foreign address attestation), drafted customised MOA/AOA with founder vesting and anti-dilution provisions, and filed DPIIT recognition immediately post-incorporation.
Outcome: Certificate of Incorporation received in 6 working days. PAN/TAN/GST registration allotted simultaneously through SPICe+. DPIIT recognition approved within 48 hours of incorporation. The angel round closed within 3 weeks of engagement.
This engagement illustrates Virtual Auditor's approach to company secretary services — combining regulatory expertise with practical execution to deliver results within the client's timeline.
When Is Company Secretary Services Not Required?
This registration may not be required when: (a) the business is a sole proprietorship or informal partnership that does not require statutory registration, (b) the entity already holds equivalent registration under a different form (e.g., existing company converting rather than registering fresh), (c) the activity is specifically excluded from the definition of business under the applicable Act, or (d) the entity operates exclusively in a jurisdiction where this registration type is not recognized.
If you are unsure whether your situation requires company secretary services, contact us for a free preliminary assessment. We will advise you honestly — including telling you if you do not need our services.
Documents Required
The following documents are needed to initiate the company secretary services process:
PAN card and Aadhaar of all proposed directors/partners/members, passport-size photographs, proof of registered office address (rent agreement + NOC + utility bill, or ownership proof), Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for all directors/designated partners, Director Identification Number (DIN) or application for allotment, draft constitutional document (MOA/AOA/LLP Agreement/Trust Deed), declaration and consent from directors/partners (Form INC-9/DIR-2), and professional certificate from a practicing CA/CS/Advocate.
We provide a personalised document checklist after the initial consultation, tailored to your specific entity type and situation. Documents can be shared securely via email or our client portal.
What You Receive
Upon completion of the company secretary services engagement, you will receive: Certificate of Registration/Incorporation from the relevant authority, PAN and TAN allotment (where applicable), certified copies of constitutional documents (MOA/AOA/LLP Agreement/Trust Deed), digital copies of all filed forms with acknowledgment receipts, and a post-registration compliance checklist with due dates for the first year.
All deliverables are reviewed by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV) before release to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Updated for FY 2025-26
This service page reflects the latest regulatory requirements as of March 2026, incorporating changes from the Union Budget 2025, recent MCA notifications, CBDT/CBIC circulars, and RBI master directions applicable to company secretary services. Virtual Auditor continuously monitors regulatory updates to ensure all advice and filings are current.
Who Needs Company Secretary Services?
This registration is required for: (a) businesses seeking limited liability protection for promoters and directors, (b) startups planning to raise equity funding from investors (angel/VC/PE), (c) entities requiring a separate legal identity for contracts, property, and bank accounts, (d) businesses planning to scale operations across multiple states, (e) professionals or consultants seeking to formalise their practice into a body corporate, and (f) any person or group mandated by law to register under the applicable business structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a full-time Company Secretary mandatory?
Under Section 203, companies with paid-up capital ≥₹10 crore must appoint a full-time CS. Below this, a practicing CS handles compliance on a retainer basis.
What happens if annual filings are late?
Additional fee of ₹100/day per form (no maximum cap). Persistent default can lead to "Active non-compliant" status and director disqualification under Section 164(2).
Do you handle company winding up?
Yes. Voluntary winding up (Section 59 of IBC) and strike off (Section 248 of Companies Act) for defunct companies. Timeline: 3-6 months.
Can you draft board resolutions for ESOP/FEMA transactions?
Yes. We draft resolutions for ESOP schemes (Section 62(1)(b)), preferential allotment to foreign investors (Section 62(1)(c)), share transfers, capital increases, and all corporate actions — coordinated with FEMA and tax compliance requirements.
What does a company secretary do?
Statutory compliance management (ROC filings, board meetings, AGM), corporate governance advisory, share transfer/allotment processing, regulatory filings (FEMA, SEBI if applicable), maintenance of statutory registers, and minutes drafting.
Is CS mandatory for all companies?
Mandatory for: companies with paid-up capital ≥₹5 crore (Section 203). Not mandatory for smaller companies but highly recommended. Listed companies: mandatory under SEBI LODR. LLPs: no CS requirement.
What statutory registers must a company maintain?
Register of Members (MGT-1), Register of Directors/KMP (DIR-12), Register of Charges, Register of Contracts (Section 189), Minutes Book for board and general meetings, Register of Loans/Investments/Guarantees (Section 186).
How many board meetings are required?
Minimum 4 per calendar year. Maximum gap between 2 meetings: 120 days. First meeting within 30 days of incorporation. Quorum: 1/3 of total directors or 2, whichever is higher. Video conference permitted with conditions.
What is the cost of CS retainer?
From ₹10,000/month for standard compliance (board meetings, statutory registers, ROC filings). Full secretarial audit: ₹50,000-₹1,00,000 annually. One-time assignments (share transfer, director change): ₹5,000-₹15,000 per transaction.