Registered Filing Agent (RFA)

🔹 Definition

A Registered Filing Agent (RFA) is a business entity registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) of Singapore that is authorized to submit transactions and filings on behalf of clients through BizFile+, ACRA’s online filing system. RFAs typically provide services such as company incorporation, annual return filing, business name registration, and compliance reporting.

RFAs are an essential part of Singapore’s corporate services ecosystem, and are subject to strict Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations and fit-and-proper requirements under the ACRA (Filing Agents and Qualified Individuals) Regulations.

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who can be registered as a Filing Agent (RFA)?
To be eligible, a person or entity must:

• Be a registered business entity in Singapore (e.g., company, LLP, LP)
• Act through at least one Registered Qualified Individual (QI)
• Be deemed fit and proper by ACRA
• Have completed the mandatory AML/CFT training and proficiency test
• Have no disqualifying sanctions within the past two years if previously cancelled as an RFA

Q2: What services can an RFA legally provide?

• Company and business registration with ACRA
• Corporate secretarial support, such as filing annual returns or updating directors
• Share capital changes, business conversions, and other statutory filings
• Client onboarding, including collection of KYC documents
• Liaison with ACRA and other government agencies on behalf of clients

Q3: What are the compliance responsibilities of an RFA?

• Perform Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and ongoing monitoring
• Conduct risk assessments and maintain written AML/CFT procedures
• Report suspicious transactions to the relevant authorities (e.g., STRO)
• Keep proper records and audit trails for at least 5 years
• Ensure staff (including QIs) complete AML/CFT training every 2 years

Q4: What is the role of the Qualified Individual (QI) in an RFA?

• A QI is the designated professional acting on behalf of the RFA to interact with ACRA
• Each RFA must operate through at least one active registered QI
• QIs are responsible for ensuring filings are accurate and compliant, and may be held personally accountable for regulatory breaches

Q5: What are the consequences of non-compliance for an RFA?

• Fines or de-registration by ACRA
• Public listing on ACRA’s enforcement database
• Ineligibility to re-register as an RFA for at least two years after cancellation
• Legal liability under the Companies Act, ACRA Act, or AML laws
• Reputational damage affecting client trust and professional credibility