What are the deadlines to circulate and lodge financial statements for a Sdn Bhd?
A private company must prepare and circulate its financial statements to members within six months of its financial year-end, then lodge them with SSM within 30 days of circulation. The first accounts may cover up to 18 months from incorporation.
| Step | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare first financial statements | Within 18 months of incorporation | s.248(1)(a) |
| Prepare later financial statements | Within six months of year-end | s.248(1)(b) |
| Circulate to members (private company) | Within six months of year-end | s.258(1)(a) |
| Lodge with SSM | Within 30 days after circulation | s.259(1)(a) |
| Appoint first auditor | At least 30 days before the end of the first lodgement period | s.267(3)(a) |
Example. Year-end 31 March 2026: circulate by 30 September 2026; lodge within 30 days of circulation (by 30 October 2026 at the latest if circulated on 30 September).
Who must receive copies (section 257). Every member, every person entitled to notice of general meetings, the auditor and, on request, debenture holders.
Before circulation. The board approves the accounts, with a statutory declaration by a director or the person responsible for financial management (section 251). If audited, the audit must be done before circulation (section 248(2)).
Extensions. If you apply before the period expires, SSM may extend lodgement (section 259(2)). Circulation under section 258 has no extension provision in the text.
Audit-exempt companies follow the same deadlines, lodging unaudited accounts with the director's certificate.
Penalties. See the late-lodgement question.
Amounts must be in Ringgit; a translation is needed for statements not in Malay or English (section 259(1)(c)).
Legal basis
- Companies Act 2016, ss.248, 251, 257, 258, 259, 267(3)
Sources
- Companies Act 2016, section 258 - Time allowed for sending out copies (annotated text)
- Companies Act 2016, section 259 - Duty to lodge financial statements with the Registrar (annotated text)
- Companies Act 2016, section 248 - Directors shall prepare financial statements (annotated text)
- Companies Act 2016, section 257 - Duty to circulate copies of financial statements (annotated text)
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- What must an audit-exempt company still lodge with SSM?It must lodge unaudited financial statements, the directors' report, statement by directors, statutory declaration and a director-signed exemption certificate, within 30 days of circulating the accounts to members. Accounts must follow approved accounting standards.
- How is the auditor reappointed each year in a private company?Members appoint the auditor by ordinary resolution during the 30 days before the lodgement deadline for the previous year's accounts. If no one is appointed, the sitting auditor is usually deemed reappointed, unless members object or the constitution requires actual reappointment.
- How long does a Malaysian statutory audit take?The law sets no audit duration, only the end deadlines: accounts must be circulated within six months of year-end and lodged within 30 days after. How long fieldwork takes depends on company size, record quality and how fast you respond.
- Does a Sdn Bhd have to hold an annual general meeting (AGM)?Under the Companies Act 2016, the AGM requirement in section 340 is written for public companies. A private company circulates its financial statements to members within six months of year-end and is not required by that section to hold an AGM, unless its constitution says otherwise.
- Does every Sdn Bhd in Malaysia need to be audited?Not every one, but audit is the default. Section 267(1) of the Companies Act 2016 requires a private company to appoint an auditor for each financial year, unless it qualifies for and elects the audit exemption set by SSM's Practice Directive 10/2024.