Virtual Company Secretary for Startups & Growth Companies
A practising Company Secretary on a monthly retainer, supporting funded and growing companies across India — entirely remotely.
What is a virtual Company Secretary? A virtual Company Secretary gives you a qualified, practising CS on a monthly retainer who handles your ROC/MCA filings, board and secretarial compliance, FEMA reporting and fundraising governance remotely — without the cost of a full-time hire. CS Sapna Malpani supports funded and growing companies across India.
Who it's for
A retainer model works for companies that carry real statutory obligations but don't yet need a full-time CS on payroll.
Private companies
Private limited companies that need reliable annual ROC filings, board documentation and statutory registers kept in order — without an in-house role.
Funded startups
Startups that have raised or are raising capital and need clean cap-table governance, FEMA reporting and board processes investors expect.
IPO-bound companies
Companies scaling toward a listing that want disciplined secretarial records and audit readiness maintained well ahead of time.
What a virtual CS handles for you
A defined statutory scope, maintained remotely and reviewed against your company's stage and transactions.
- Annual ROC filings — AOC-4 and MGT-7
- Board and general meeting minutes and resolutions
- Maintenance of statutory registers
- DIR-3 KYC for directors
- Event-based filings as transactions arise
- FEMA reporting — FC-GPR, FLA and APR
- ESOP and secretarial support for fundraising
- Secretarial audit readiness
New to compliance obligations? Start with our company incorporation services hub, or review the annual compliance checklist for private limited companies. Detailed ROC compliance and filing and FEMA compliance support is covered on their own pages.
How it works
A remote retainer model designed to keep filings on time and governance investor-ready.
- Assessment callUnderstand your company's stage, structure and any pending or upcoming compliance items.
- Scope & retainerAgree a clear scope and monthly retainer matched to your company's requirements.
- Ongoing filings & remindersFilings, documentation and statutory records are handled on schedule, with reminders ahead of due dates.
- Board & investor-ready governanceMinutes, resolutions and registers are kept current so your company is ready for boards, audits and diligence.
What it costs
Engagements are structured as a monthly retainer, scoped to your company's stage and the work involved. Government statutory filing fees are separate — these are objective charges levied by the government, not professional fees. Professional fees are shared after a short assessment call, once the scope is clear.
If your immediate need is a specific event such as a raise, see fundraising compliance, or browse all services.
Information as on July 2026.
CS Sapna Malpani
Practising Company Secretary and Partner at Vivek Hegde & Co, Bengaluru. 8+ years; has supported 100+ companies across incorporation, ROC/MCA compliance, FEMA and fundraising.
Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual company secretary?
A virtual Company Secretary is a qualified, practising CS engaged on a monthly retainer who manages your company's secretarial and compliance work remotely instead of as a full-time in-house hire. This covers ROC/MCA filings, board and general meeting documentation, statutory registers, FEMA reporting and fundraising governance. It suits startups and growth companies that need professional compliance without a full-time role.
Do I need a full-time company secretary or can it be virtual?
Under the Companies Act 2013, a whole-time Company Secretary is mandatory only for companies with a paid-up share capital of Rs.10 crore or more. Companies below that threshold are not required to appoint one in-house and can engage a practising CS on a retainer for their secretarial and compliance needs. A virtual arrangement is a common and compliant option for most private companies and startups.
Can a company secretary work remotely for a company in another city?
Yes. ROC and MCA filings are made through the online MCA portal, and FEMA returns are filed electronically with the RBI, so secretarial work does not require the CS to be physically located in your city. A practising Company Secretary can support companies anywhere in India remotely. Documents, resolutions and registers are shared and maintained digitally, with calls scheduled as needed.
What does a virtual CS handle each year?
Annual work typically includes ROC filings such as AOC-4 and MGT-7, drafting board and general meeting minutes and resolutions, maintaining statutory registers, and DIR-3 KYC for directors. Event-based filings, FEMA reporting for foreign investment, and support for fundraising and secretarial audit readiness are handled as they arise. The exact scope depends on your company's stage and transactions.
Is a company secretary mandatory for a private limited company or startup?
A whole-time Company Secretary is mandatory only where paid-up capital is Rs.10 crore or more. Most private limited companies and early-stage startups fall below this threshold and are not required to appoint one in-house. They still have statutory secretarial and ROC obligations, which is why many engage a practising CS on a retainer to keep filings and governance in order.
How do you work with founders remotely?
Engagements start with an assessment call to understand your company's stage and pending items, followed by a defined scope and monthly retainer. From there, filings, reminders and documentation are handled on an ongoing basis, with records maintained digitally. Founders receive board and investor-ready governance support and can reach CS Sapna Malpani directly by phone, email or scheduled calls. See our guide to fund-raise compliance for startups and SMEs for context.
Enquire
Tell CS Sapna Malpani what you need — she'll reply personally.
This page is general information as on July 2026 and is not legal advice.