Foreign entrepreneurs looking to enter the Philippine market often assume that “company formation” simply means registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In reality, SEC registration is only the first step.
To legally operate, hire employees, open bank accounts, issue invoices, and remain compliant, a company must complete multiple registrations across various government agencies.
This is where Davao Accountants stands out.
Unlike many providers that limit their services to SEC incorporation alone, Davao Accountants offers a complete, streamlined, end-to-end solution specifically designed for foreign nationals and foreign-owned companies doing business in the Philippines.
The Problem with “SEC-Only” Incorporation Services
Many service providers advertise low fees for incorporation, but what they really offer is:
- SEC name reservation
- Drafting of Articles of Incorporation
- Filing via SEC eSPARC
- Issuance of the SEC Certificate of Incorporation
After that, clients are often left to handle:
- BIR registration
- Local government business permits
- SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG registration
- Corporate Secretary requirements
- Nominee officer compliance (if foreign-owned)
- Ongoing accounting and tax compliance
For foreign citizens unfamiliar with Philippine bureaucracy, this fragmented approach creates:
- Delays
- Compliance risks
- Unexpected additional costs
- Multiple coordinations with different providers
In many cases, the “cheapest” SEC filing becomes the most expensive solution overall.
What Makes Davao Accountants Different?
Davao Accountants operates as a full-service corporate solutions firm, not just a formation filing agent.
The incorporation package is designed to ensure that once your company is formed, it is:
✔ Fully registered
✔ Fully compliant
✔ Legally ready to operate
✔ Ready to hire employees
✔ Ready to invoice clients
Let’s break down what is included.
SEC Company Formation
Davao Accountants handles:
- Name verification and reservation
- Drafting of Articles of Incorporation
- Drafting of By-Laws
- SEC eSPARC filing
- Liaison and follow-ups
- SEC Certificate of Incorporation release
Whether the structure is:
- 100% foreign-owned corporation
- Domestic corporation
- One Person Corporation (OPC)
- Holding company
The firm ensures compliance with the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines and foreign equity rules.
But this is only Step One.
BIR Registration (Mandatory for Operations)
Without BIR registration, a company cannot:
- Issue official receipts
- Print invoices
- File taxes
- Open compliant bank accounts
Davao Accountants completes full registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, including:
- BIR Form 1903 registration
- Certificate of Registration (COR / 2303)
- Authority to Print (ATP) receipts
- Books of Accounts registration
- Registration of tax types (VAT or Non-VAT)
Many providers charge separately for this — Davao Accountants integrates it into the formation workflow.
Local Government Business Permit
A corporation cannot legally operate without a Mayor’s Permit.
Davao Accountants handles:
- Barangay clearance
- Mayor’s Permit application
- Zoning clearance
- Fire safety inspection coordination
- Annual business permit renewal guidance
This ensures the company is operational — not just legally existing on paper.
Registration with Labor Welfare Agencies
Foreign investors planning to hire Filipino employees must register with:
- Social Security System (SSS)
- PhilHealth
- Pag-IBIG Fund
Failure to register can result in:
- Penalties
- Inability to legally hire staff
- Compliance investigations
Davao Accountants ensures your company is employment-ready from day one.
Corporate Secretary Services (Critical for Foreign-Owned Companies)
Under Philippine law, corporations must appoint a Corporate Secretary who is:
- A resident of the Philippines
- A Filipino citizen
Davao Accountants provides:
- Professional Corporate Secretary services
- Preparation of Board Resolutions
- General Information Sheet (GIS) filing
- Annual compliance monitoring
- SEC correspondence handling
This removes the need for foreign founders to find independent nominees without oversight.
Nominal Officers (Essential)
For 100% foreign-owned corporations, it is often necessary to appoint:
- Resident Director
- Corporate Treasurer
- Treasurer-in-Trust (for capital deposit compliance, if applicable)
- Authorized Representative
Davao Accountants provides structured and compliant Nominal Officer services, ensuring:
- Proper documentation
- Controlled authority
- Legal protection
- Transparent agreements
This is especially critical for foreign nationals who are not residing in the Philippines.
Cost-Effective Does Not Mean Cheap — It Means Complete
Many firms advertise low “incorporation fees,” but when you add:
- BIR registration
- Business permit
- Labor agency registration
- Corporate Secretary
- Nominee services
The total cost often doubles or triples.
Davao Accountants structures its service as a comprehensive package, which:
- Reduces duplication of fees
- Eliminates third-party markups
- Streamlines timelines
- Avoids compliance gaps
- Prevents costly penalties
The result? Lower total cost of ownership.
Designed Specifically for Foreign Clients
Davao Accountants understands the needs of:
- Australian outsourcing firms
- UK digital businesses
- US startups
- Singaporean investors
- EU service providers
The firm assists clients who want to:
- Open a back office in the Philippines
- Hire Filipino staff
- Establish a cost center
- Create a holding company
- Expand ASEAN operations
Unlike generic filing agents, Davao Accountants integrates:
- Accounting services
- Tax compliance
- Payroll
- Employer of Record advisory (if incorporation is not preferred)
This makes the firm not just a formation provider — but a long-term strategic partner.
Why Davao City Makes It Even More Cost-Efficient
Operating from Davao City offers:
- Lower operating costs than Manila
- Access to the same national registration systems
- Competitive professional fees
- Efficient government processing
Foreign clients receive Metro-level expertise without Metro-level overhead.
Full-Service vs. Filing Agent: The Clear Difference
| Feature | Filing Agent | Davao Accountants |
|---|---|---|
| SEC Registration | ✔ | ✔ |
| BIR Registration | ❌ Often separate | ✔ Included |
| Business Permit | ❌ Separate | ✔ Included |
| Labor Agency Registration | ❌ Not included | ✔ Included |
| Corporate Secretary | ❌ Optional external | ✔ Integrated |
| Nominee Officers | ❌ Rarely offered | ✔ Structured |
| Ongoing Accounting | ❌ Separate | ✔ Available |
The difference is not just cost — it is risk reduction and operational readiness.
A True One-Stop Corporate Solution
For foreign investors, the goal is simple:
Form the company.
Make it compliant.
Start operating.
Davao Accountants delivers all three — in-one integrated engagement.
Instead of coordinating five different service providers, foreign founders can work with a single professional team that understands:
- Philippine corporate law
- Tax compliance
- Employment regulations
- Cross-border structuring
Final Thoughts
If you are a foreign citizen planning to:
- Incorporate in the Philippines
- Hire Filipino staff
- Establish a back-office
- Expand operations in ASEAN
Choosing a provider that only files SEC documents may cost you more in the long run.
Davao Accountants is not simply an incorporation agent — it is a full-service corporate partner, offering the most cost-effective and comprehensive incorporation solution in the Philippines.
Because in business registration, what matters is not the cheapest filing, but the smoothest and safest launch.
