Career as a Company Secretary

Updated On: 23-Jan-2023

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The company secretary is a manager or above-level position in any company. A company secretary is a vital link between the company and its Board of Directors, shareholders, government, and regulatory authorities. They ensure that Board procedures are followed and reviewed regularly. They provide guidance to the chairman and the board of directors on their responsibilities under various laws.

The company secretary is responsible for the efficient administration of a company, particularly with regard to ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Company secretaries are the company's named representatives on legal documents, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the company and its directors operate within the law.

Also Read: Career as a Corporate Communicator

The job of a company secretary includes:

Developing and overseeing the systems that ensure the company complies with all applicable codes, in addition to its legal and statutory requirements.
Monitoring changes in relevant legislation and the regulatory environment and taking appropriate action.
Overseeing policies, making sure they are kept up to date and referred to the appropriate committee for approval.
To attend the board meetings in order to ensure that the legal requirements are fulfilled, and provide such information as are necessary.
Organizing and preparing the agendas and papers for board meetings, committees and annual general meeting.
Prepare, approve, sign and seal agreements leases, legal forms, and other official documents on the company's behalf, when authorized by the board of directors or the executive responsible.
Advise the chief executives or other executives, in respect of the legal matters, as required.
Filling of various documents/returns as required under the provisions of the company law.
Maintaining statutory books, including registers of members, directors and secretaries, register for transfer of shares, debenture-holders etc.
Make sure that the decision of the Board of directors is implemented.
taking minutes, drafting resolutions, lodging required forms and annual returns to Companies House
dealing with correspondence, collating information and writing reports, ensuring decisions made are communicated to the relevant company stakeholders
Stay connected with external regulators and advisers, such as lawyers and auditors
Register and communicate with the shareholders
Ensure that dividends are paid
Maintain the company records such as list of directors, shareholders, annual accounts

A Company secretary examination conducted by the Institute of Company secretary is needed to pass to become company secretary.

Click here to know more about company secretary courseTo become a Company Secretary, the candidate needs to pass three stages - the Foundation, Executive, and Professional Programs that are conducted by the Institute. Thereafter, they need to undergo practical Management Training for about 15 months in companies sponsored by the Institute, which a student may opt to start after passing the Executive Program, to become eligible for membership as a Company Secretary.

This course is a mixture of postal tuition, optional coaching classes and regular examinations at specified centers. After qualifying Professional Examination and on successful completion of training, a candidate is admitted as an Associate Member of the ICSI and can use the letters ACS (Associate Company Secretary) after his / her name.

Strong communication skills

Critical Thinker and Problem Solver

Ability to priorities work and manage time effectively

Should have a personal interest in business activities

Excellent PC skills like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, taking prints etc.

Experience of working with director level or above

Strong organizational skills to adapt to changing environments

Meeting management and minute taking

Good knowledge about travel arrangement

Should have strong knowledge about different laws related to the company

The secretary in a listed company shall be a member of a recognized body of professional accountants, or a member of a recognized body of corporate/chartered secretaries or a person holding a master's degree in Business Administration or Commerce or is a Law graduate from a university recognized and having relevant experience. But the company secretary of a single-member company shall be a person holding a bachelor's degree from a recognized university.The company will pay you a handsome salary if you show that you are excellent and committed to your work.As the corporate world grows, the scope for company secretaries also grows. A Company Secretary can find employment in government accounts or law departments or he can become a Managing Director or Chairman of a Company and be a part of the Board of Directors of a Company. You can also get exceptional opportunities in other countries also after completion of this course.