ACRA Annual Filing Checklist for Singapore SMEs

For Singapore SMEs, ACRA annual filing is a recurring obligation that brings together financial reporting, statutory compliance, and accurate record-keeping. Having a clear checklist helps ensure nothing is missed — and avoids last-minute stress, penalties, or rework.

Here’s a practical checklist SMEs can use to stay on track each year.

1. Confirm Key Dates and Deadlines

Start by identifying your company’s financial year end (FYE). All ACRA filing deadlines are calculated from this date.

Make sure you know:

• AGM deadline or AGM exemption timeline
• Annual Return (AR) filing deadline
• Financial statement finalisation timeline

Missing early milestones often leads to rushed filings later.

2. Finalise Financial Statements

Before any filing, your financial statements must be complete and accurate.

This includes:

• Statement of Financial Position
• Statement of Comprehensive Income
• Cash Flow Statement
• Statement of Changes in Equity
• Relevant notes and disclosures

Figures must be internally consistent and aligned with supporting records.

3. Determine XBRL Filing Requirements

Not all companies file the same format.

Confirm whether your company must submit:

• Full XBRL
• Simplified XBRL
• PDF financial statements (for exempt companies)

Filing the wrong format can lead to rejection or re-submission.

4. Ensure XBRL Data Is Accurate and Validated

For companies required to file XBRL, accuracy goes beyond numbers.

Check that:

• Accounts are mapped correctly to ACRA’s taxonomy
• Totals and subtotals reconcile
• Mandatory fields are completed
• Validation checks pass before submission

Clean bookkeeping significantly reduces issues at this stage.

5. Prepare AGM or AGM Exemption Declarations

Confirm whether:

• An AGM was held, and the date is recorded correctly
• The company qualifies for AGM exemption and has met all conditions

Supporting resolutions and declarations should be properly documented.

6. Review Company and Officer Information

Ensure ACRA records are up to date:

• Registered office address
• Directors and company secretary details
• Share capital and shareholding structure

Any discrepancies should be resolved before filing the Annual Return.

7. File the Annual Return With ACRA

Once all components are ready:

• Submit the Annual Return within the statutory deadline
• Attach the required financial statements (XBRL or PDF)
• Ensure declarations are completed accurately

Late filings may result in penalties and enforcement action.

8. Keep Records Organised for the Next Cycle

Annual filing doesn’t end with submission. Maintaining clean records throughout the year makes the next cycle far easier.

SMEs using AI-powered bookkeeping platforms like ccMonet benefit from:

• Continuously updated financial records
• Automated categorisation and reconciliation
• Fewer year-end corrections
• Faster preparation for future filings

Turn Annual Filing Into a Routine, Not a Rush

ACRA annual filing doesn’t need to be stressful. With a clear checklist and structured financial data, SMEs can approach compliance with confidence every year.

Preparation isn’t about working harder at filing time — it’s about building systems that keep you ready all year round.

👉 Learn how AI-powered bookkeeping helps Singapore SMEs simplify annual filing with ccMonet

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