SSIC Codes for Freelancers, Consultants & Sole Proprietors

Most professional service providers in Singapore fall under Section M — Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities. This section covers management consulting, legal and accounting services, design, advertising, and other knowledge-based work. IT freelancers are an exception — they typically register under Section J (Information & Communications).

Regardless of whether you register as a sole proprietorship, LLP, or private limited company, ACRA requires you to declare an SSIC code that describes your principal activity. The business structure does not change which SSIC code you use — a management consultant is classified the same way whether operating as a sole prop or a Pte Ltd.

For a broader overview of the registration process and how SSIC codes fit in, see our company registration SSIC guide.

If you need help with the incorporation process itself, Emerhub's company registration service can handle the paperwork on your behalf.

Management consulting is one of the most common SSIC codes for solo professionals and small firms in Singapore. The codes sit under Division 70 — Activities of Head Offices; Management Consultancy Activities.

In practice, the difference between 70201 and 70202 is subtle. Most solo consultants register under 70201 as their default. If your consulting work is specifically about HR, you may want a more targeted code under Section N (Administrative and Support Services).

If you are a freelance developer who builds custom software for clients on a project basis, you have a choice. Pure consulting and advisory work fits 62020. If you are building and delivering software products or bespoke applications, 62011 (Software Development) may be more accurate. Many freelancers declare both.

For a full breakdown of tech codes, see our tech startup SSIC guide.

Creative professionals — graphic designers, UI/UX designers, photographers, architects, and interior designers — are classified under Division 74 — Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities.

UI/UX designers who primarily work on digital products may also consider registering under 62020 (IT Consultancy) if their work is more technical than creative. The line is blurry — choose based on how you position your services to clients.

Division 73 covers advertising and market research. Freelance marketers, social media managers, SEO consultants, and content strategists generally register under 73100.

If your work is more about PR and communications than advertising, there are dedicated codes within the same division. If you do both marketing strategy and execution, 73100 as your primary code with 70201 (Management Consultancy) as secondary is a common combination.

Regulated professional services have their own dedicated codes under Division 69 — Legal and Accounting Activities. These codes carry additional regulatory weight:

Corporate secretarial firms, a staple of Singapore's professional services landscape, also register under codes within this division. If you offer company incorporation and corporate secretarial services alongside accounting, you would typically declare both relevant codes.

Your business structure does not change which SSIC code applies. A management consultant is classified as 70201 regardless of whether they operate as a sole proprietorship or a Pte Ltd company. However, your choice of structure affects other aspects of your business:

Many freelancers start as sole proprietors and convert to Pte Ltd once annual revenue exceeds S$100,000 or when they need to hire employees. The SSIC code carries over; you just need to file a new registration with ACRA. For a detailed comparison of entity types, see Emerhub's guide to sole proprietorships vs Pte Ltd companies.

Browse the full Section M (Professional Services) hierarchy or view all SSIC classifications. For guidance on primary vs secondary codes, read our primary and secondary SSIC code guide.