AGM vs Written Resolutions: Choosing the Right Path for Annual Compliance

Every Singapore company must ensure it meets its annual governance obligations — and one key question arises each year:
Should you hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or pass resolutions in writing instead?

Both options are fully recognized under the Companies Act (Cap. 50), but they serve the same purpose: to confirm the company’s financial statements, approve directors’ reports, and record shareholder decisions.

Understanding the difference between the two helps SMEs choose the most efficient and compliant path — whether you prefer formal meetings or digital approvals.

1. What Is an Annual General Meeting (AGM)?

An AGM is a formal meeting between directors and shareholders.
It’s where key updates are shared, questions are answered, and financial statements are officially presented.

For most companies, an AGM must be:

• Held within 6 months after the financial year end (FYE)
• Filed with ACRA within 7 months after FYE through the Annual Return submission

Typical AGM agenda items include:

• Adoption of the company’s financial statements
• Approval of dividends (if applicable)
• Re-election of directors or auditors
• Discussion of major company matters

Even though AGMs are traditional, many small businesses now prefer a more efficient alternative.

2. What Are Written Resolutions?

Written resolutions allow shareholders to approve matters without holding a physical meeting.
All resolutions that would normally be passed at an AGM can instead be circulated and signed electronically.

This method offers flexibility:

• No need to schedule or attend a physical meeting
• All shareholders can sign from anywhere
• The process is faster and paperless

Once all shareholders have signed the written resolution, it carries the same legal effect as an AGM decision.

3. Who Can Skip the AGM?

Under ACRA’s simplified compliance framework, private companies can dispense with AGMs entirely if they meet certain conditions.

You can skip holding an AGM if:

• You send financial statements to shareholders within 5 months after FYE, and
• No shareholder requests for an AGM within 14 days of receiving those statements

Most SMEs fit this category — especially those with few shareholders and straightforward finances.

4. Choosing the Right Option for Your Company

The choice between an AGM and a written resolution depends on your company’s size, structure, and workflow.

You might choose an AGM if:

• Your company has multiple shareholders who prefer discussion and Q&A
• There are complex decisions requiring real-time dialogue
• You value the formality and transparency of recorded meetings

You might prefer written resolutions if:

• Your company has only a few shareholders
• Everyone agrees to decisions quickly
• You want to streamline your annual compliance with minimal administrative work

In either case, the resolutions and financial statements must still be filed with ACRA on time.

5. How AI Accounting Simplifies Annual Filings

Even when governance decisions are streamlined, the filings that follow can still be tedious — especially for SMEs managing everything manually.

AI-powered accounting platforms like ccMonet help companies prepare and file with confidence by:

• Automatically generating up-to-date financial statements
• Ensuring documents are formatted for ACRA submissions
• Tracking statutory deadlines for both AGM and Annual Return filing
• Maintaining a digital archive of signed resolutions and reports

This ensures every compliance requirement — whether AGM-based or written — is handled accurately and on time.

6. From Formality to Simplicity

In Singapore’s digital business landscape, compliance no longer has to mean complexity.
Whether you hold an AGM or use written resolutions, what matters most is that records are accurate, decisions are documented, and filings are punctual.

With ccMonet, SMEs can integrate these processes directly into their accounting workflows — combining governance, documentation, and filing in one intelligent system.

Stay Compliant, Effortlessly

Avoid last-minute compliance stress.
Let AI handle the preparation, filing, and recordkeeping — while you focus on running your business confidently.

👉 Learn how ccMonet helps SMEs simplify annual compliance at ccMonet.ai

‍