SECP annual compliance
Annual return, director changes, share transfers and other statutory filings to keep the company in good standing.
Overview
Keeping your company in good standing with SECP under the Companies Act 2017 and the Companies Regulations 2024: AGM, annual return, financial statements, officer changes, ultimate beneficial ownership and registered office.
Why it matters
SECP expects annual returns, financial statements and event-based filings whenever directors, shares or addresses change. Staying current avoids penalties and keeps the company in good standing for banks, tenders and investors.
Who needs this
- Every company registered with SECP
How it works
Who does each step, and how long it usually takes once documents are complete.
- 1Compliance calendarTAXWORK
Every deadline for your company type set up and tracked.
At onboarding - 2AGMTAXWORK
Notice, minutes and resolutions. The first AGM is due within 16 months of incorporation.
Within 120 days of year end - 3Annual return (Form-A)TAXWORK
Filed with the annual fee; if no AGM is held, within 30 days of the calendar year end.
Within 30 days of the AGM - 4Financial statementsTAXWORK
Unlisted companies file audited accounts within 15 days; private companies with paid-up capital up to Rs 10 million are exempt from this filing.
Within 15 days of the AGM - 5Officer changes (Form-9)TAXWORK
Directors, chief executive, secretary, CFO, auditor, legal adviser or nominee.
Within 15 days of any change - 6Share changes (Form-3)TAXWORK
Allotments and changes of more than 25% in shareholding or voting rights.
As required - 7UBO declarationsTAXWORK
Forms 16–19: members with 25% or more declare the ultimate beneficial owner.
Within 14 days of notice or change - 8Registered office (Form-21)TAXWORK
A move to another city needs a special resolution.
Within 15 days of a change
Documents we need
Tick what you already have, then send the list to us.
Which company type fits you?
Under the Companies Act 2017 (sections 2(49), 14, 42, 154 and 247) and the LLP Act 2017.
| Type | Members | Directors | Liability | Auditor | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single member company | 1 | 1 + nominee | Limited by shares | CMA or CA if paid-up capital under Rs 3M | Solo founders |
| Private limited | 2 to 50 | 2 | Limited by shares | CMA or CA if paid-up capital under Rs 3M | Startups and family businesses |
| Public (unlisted) | 3 or more | 3 | Limited by shares | Chartered accountant | Raising capital from many investors |
| Listed company | 3 or more | 7 | Limited by shares | Chartered accountant | Public share trading on PSX |
| Limited by guarantee | Members | 2 or 3 | Up to the guarantee | As per company type | Associations and clubs |
| Section 42 NPO | 3 or more | As per type | Licensed, no profit distribution | Chartered accountant | Charities and foundations |
| LLP | 2 or more partners | Designated partners | Limited for partners | As required | Professional firms, joint ventures |
| Foreign branch / liaison | Foreign parent | Authorised person | Parent's liability | Chartered accountant | Foreign companies entering Pakistan |
What you receive
- Filed SECP forms with receipts
- AGM and board minutes
- Statutory registers, including the UBO register
- Annual compliance calendar
Deadlines, risks and penalties
- Defaults under s.197 and s.233 are offences with penalties on the standard scale
- A company that misses financial statements or annual returns for two consecutive years is entered in the inactive register (s.424(4))
- Persistent default can lead to strike-off
Mistakes we fix, and what our fee covers
Common mistakes we fix
- Annual return (Form A / Form 29) filed late, which brings SECP penalties
- Change of directors, shares or address not reported to SECP
- Company NTN and tax return not filed even when there is no income
- Beneficial ownership register not kept up to date
Included in our fee
- Name check, documents and filings on SECP eServices
- Board and shareholder resolutions drafted for you
- Company NTN and FBR profile set up or updated
- A compliance calendar for the year ahead
Law and references
The sections and rules this service is based on.
- Companies Act 2017: s.21, s.130 (annual return), s.132 (AGM), s.197 (register of directors and officers), s.233 and s.234 (financial statements), s.123A (beneficial ownership)
- Companies Regulations 2024: Form-A, Form-3, Form-9, Forms 16–19, Form-21
Questions
How long does it take?
Ongoing; each filing completed within 1–3 days. Step by step: Compliance calendar (At onboarding), AGM (Within 120 days of year end), Annual return (Form-A) (Within 30 days of the AGM), Financial statements (Within 15 days of the AGM), Officer changes (Form-9) (Within 15 days of any change), Share changes (Form-3) (As required), UBO declarations (Within 14 days of notice or change), Registered office (Form-21) (Within 15 days of a change).
What does it cost?
We give a fixed quote after reviewing your case. Government fees are extra where they apply.
What happens if I miss a deadline?
Defaults under s.197 and s.233 are offences with penalties on the standard scale. A company that misses financial statements or annual returns for two consecutive years is entered in the inactive register (s.424(4)). Persistent default can lead to strike-off.
We've never filed anything since incorporation. Can you fix it?
Yes. We file the pending forms with additional fees and bring the company up to date.
Do small private companies file accounts?
Those with paid-up capital up to Rs 1 million file authenticated accounts, audited or not, within 30 days of the meeting (s.234).
Is there a step-by-step procedure?
Appeal against an SECP order: Challenging an order of a registrar or SECP officer. Open the procedure →
Is there a step-by-step procedure?
Catching up on missed SECP filings: Bringing a company that missed its annual filings back into compliance. Open the procedure →
What is Form A or Form 29?
Form A (or Form 45 for some companies) is the annual return of members. Form 29 reports changes in directors and officers.
What if filings are years behind?
We prepare the missing filings and advise on the penalty position so the company can be brought current.
Why clients choose TAXWORK
Individuals, businesses and companies across Pakistan and overseas.
Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Sialkot and Karachi (with Raza Siddiqui & Co., Chartered Accountants).
You get the scope and a fixed fee in writing before any work starts.
Progress updates, and a copy of everything we file or submit for you.
Keep reading
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View service →Ready to get SECP annual compliance done?
Send your documents on WhatsApp or book a meeting. A consultant confirms the scope and a fixed fee before any work starts.