CoSec Partners compared with the alternatives
How CoSec Partners compares with retail online services, template providers, doing the work in-house and other professional providers, and when each suits.
There are several ways to get company formation, trust deeds and ASIC compliance done in Australia. Each suits some situations well. This page sets out the differences plainly so the right provider can be matched to the need.
Retail online formation services
Retail services are fast, low cost and built for self-service. They suit an individual forming a single trading company. They are less suited to professional firms, because they generally do not offer volume relationships, a named contact, complex share structures or ongoing ASIC compliance after formation. CoSec is built for firms that order repeatedly and want the entity looked after afterwards.
Document template services
Template services produce deeds and company documents quickly from standard forms, and work well for straightforward cases. CoSec prepares each trust and SMSF deed individually and has it reviewed and signed off by an independent legal practice that carries professional indemnity for that review. The difference matters when a structure is unusual or a deed is questioned years later.
Doing the work in-house
Many firms keep a staff member on corporate secretarial work. That works until the person leaves, when deadlines keep coming and the knowledge often leaves with them. CoSec does the same work without the recruitment, training and key-person risk, and a firm can move part or all of its book across. Clients are not contacted during the changeover.
Large accounting and law firms
Large professional firms provide corporate secretarial services, usually as part of a broader advisory engagement. CoSec focuses only on formation and corporate secretarial work, and publishes fixed prices for its standard products.
Other specialist providers
A small number of established specialist firms also serve accountants and lawyers. The points that set CoSec apart are listed below.
- White Label CAS360, with CoSec running BGL's CAS360 under the firm's own brand.
- A two-person review on every ASIC lodgement.
- Independent legal sign-off and professional indemnity on every trust and SMSF deed.
- Same business day company registration for most orders received before 2pm Adelaide time.
- A sister firm, ABN Australia, for foreign companies that need broader establishment and accounting help.
- A continuous practice since 1976, now run by the second generation.
What to weigh when choosing a provider
- How many formations and entities the firm handles each year.
- Whether deeds need individual legal review or a template is enough.
- Whether the provider will manage ASIC compliance after formation.
- Whether the firm wants the service under its own brand.
- Response times, and whether there is a named person on each file.