When COVID-19 happened without warning, it shuttered many offices and transitioned its workforce to perform their tasks from their own homes. Since then, many companies have seen the benefits of adopting a “work from home” model, leading to the development of the “virtual office” model.
But what exactly does this concept entail? Does it have anything to do with a registered or corporate office? If this still seems like a foreign concept to you, read on to find out more.
What is a Registered Office?
Let’s start with the basics first. A registered office is the corporation’s legal headquarters, or ‘head office,’ and must be an actual physical location. This is essential as its primary purpose is to provide a registered office address that can be reached by members of the public, as well as government and legal entities on various legal matters.
Per the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (ACRA) guidelines, the registered office must be “open and accessible to the public for at least three hours during ordinary business hours on each business day.”
It’s normal for registered office addresses to point to one physical location (for example, Tampines), but your actual office – where all operations are conducted – is elsewhere (for example, Woodlands).
What About a Corporate Office?
Sometimes referred to as a corporate headquarters (HQ), a corporate office is the main office of a corporation. It essentially “houses” the CEO, top-level management and various corporate executives of the company. While a company may have multiple locations and branch offices, a corporate office is typically the central point of corporate decision-making that directs all other offices.
Where a corporate office is located can often have an impact not only on the company’s image but also on influencing various aspects of its operations, including its branding and reputation with potential clients and competitors. In some cases, its location can also be dependent on possible benefits such as tax incentives or reduced operational costs.
Unlike registered offices, corporate offices can be established anywhere in the world. In some cases, where a corporate office is established can be based on incentives that benefit the company and less on legal requirements. One example is relocating operations to a smaller locality as a cost-saving strategy.

What is a Virtual Office?
A virtual office offers your business a professional business address, most commonly in a highly attractive location, and various administrative services to help with managing incoming and even outgoing mail. While you are required to have a physical address for registered offices, virtual office solutions in Singapore are still acceptable if they meet the following requirements:
ACRA Registered Provider
Your choice of virtual office provider must be a registered filing agent with ACRA, as it indicates that they’re legally authorised to handle company registrations and filings in Singapore.
Registered Address
The virtual office address must be a physical location and not a P.O. Box or mail forwarding service.
Accessibility
On top of being accessible to members of the public for at least 3 hours throughout normal business hours on weekdays, your virtual office provider should also be equipped to receive official documents and correspondence on your behalf.
If these conditions are met, then you can use the virtual office address as your company’s registered office. It’s the ideal option for startups, small businesses, and even foreign companies looking to establish their presence (and their corporate office) in Singapore without setting up a physical office at additional cost.
The Benefits of a Virtual Office
Setting up a virtual corporate office can provide your company with many advantages.
Professional Image
Having an office address based within a prominent business district can make your company seem legitimate or prominent. A virtual office isn’t just for work, it can be a point of connection that attracts potential clients, investors, and even prospective hires who view your company with a sense of prestige and professionalism.
Greater Flexibility
Traditional office spaces are not the best option for companies that are still starting out, especially since renting or purchasing one can be prohibitively expensive in the long term. Virtual offices are more cost-effective as you still get the benefits of a working space when in-person collaboration is needed even as most of your employees work from home. This amount of flexibility can go a long way in keeping your costs low while still having a working space as and when it’s needed.
Wider Talent Pool
When your company is open to remote work, you can hire from a diverse selection of talent that’s located anywhere in the world, all of whom can contribute to work from the comforts of their own home. This can be a unique selling point that gives you an extra edge in marketing yourself to potential hires who are more than happy to contribute without needing to travel great distances to work.
Focus on Your Core Activities
Having a virtual office provider manage the administrative tasks of your virtual office, such as handling your mail and even forwarding calls, allows you to focus solely on growing your business. You can rest assured that the provider will expertly support your office logistics and related tasks with minimal fuss while you improve your productivity and profitability.
Opportunities for Further Growth
Are you building a work community in the area? You can easily expand the number of virtual offices you need as and when it’s necessary, especially if the nature of work requires more physical meetings to complete projects.
Ready to Explore the Possibilities of a Virtual Office for Your Business?
Understanding the changing nature of the office space can greatly help you in making an informed decision that supports your company’s growth and success without going over budget. The future of work is looking mighty flexible and location-independent, and we believe virtual offices are at the heart of this growing revolution.
Whether you’re a startup or an established business looking to simplify operations, let us help you embrace the virtual world and unlock the potential of a more agile and flexible business model. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and explore our virtual office solutions!