Singapore is crowded with “family office” advisers—law firms, licensed fund managers, tax boutiques, and multi-family offices. Families don’t need a mascot; they need a lead who can quarterback legal, tax, banking and operational work without creating contradictions. Here’s a buyer’s guide.
What “lead advisor” really means
A proper lead advisor sets the cadence: entity chart, tax incentive eligibility (verify latest 13O/13U rules), investment policy, and banking story (SoW/SoF narrative, decision logs). They should be comfortable challenging you when a structure looks pretty but won’t survive onboarding or audit.
Shortlist construction
- Licensing & scope: Law firms (cross-border tax + private client), LFMC/VCFM managers (licensed), Big-4/independent tax teams, and corporate secretarial providers. Demand written scope showing who files what and when.
- Team actually on the ground: Not just a Singapore address—ask for partner time allocation, bench depth, and who attends your IC meetings.
- Bankability: Ask which banks they’ve onboarded in the last 12–18 months, and in what capacity (premier/private/custody). Note that no adviser can “guarantee” approval.
Engagement sequence
- Diagnostic pack (2–3 weeks): asset inventory, residency plans, timeline, conflicts check.
- Design memo: structure, directors, governance calendar, incentive eligibility.
- Execution: entity filings, board packs, custodian opening, policy documents.
- First 90-day review: confirm that what you filed is what you run.
Signals of quality
- Minutes drafted before signatures.
- A documented Source-of-Wealth file linking bank flows to contracts and returns.
- Pro-forma investment committee agenda and risk dashboard.
Red flags
- “Guaranteed bank account” pitch; fee quotes missing disbursements; copy-paste minutes; reluctance to put advice in writing.
Pricing & deliverables
Expect staged fixed fees for design, then monthly retainers for governance. Ask for a deliverables checklist: org chart, policy binder, compliance calendar, and annual tax packs.
CTA for readers
Insist on a one-page operating facts memo you can hand to bankers and regulators; if your would-be lead advisor can’t draft it, they aren’t the lead.
Editor’s note: In Singapore, good paperwork is a risk-reduction asset. Treat it like one.