Every company has a core team, which spearheads the company’s policies, business and growth. This team will consist of many competent people who are experts from various fields, coming together to work for / build a big Financial Institution, Firm or a Corporate. One amongst this team is a company secretary who is a principal officer and performs many duties. Today becoming this person – Company Secretary is a dream for thousands of youngsters after finishing their 10+2 or graduation. Let’s know more about this career.

Overview

A Company Secretary is a professional whose role in a corporate set up is that of an advisor for legal matters. As per the Companies Act, a statutory requirement is that companies with a paid up share capital of a minimum of Rs 50 lakh are required to appoint a Company Secretary. A Company Secretary is a very important member of the company’s management. He is an advisor to the management of the company with regard to legal and business matters.

Responsibilities of a Company Secretary are:

1. Maintenance and updating the company’s records.

2. Preparation of bills and invoices, monthly statements, share transfers, profit forecasts etc.

3. Legal duties - Ensuring the statutory compliances of the company.

4. Planning, management and general functioning of the company.

5. Communicate with lawyers, insurance brokers, investment managers, auditors and bankers.

6. Handling public issues, Investments, private placements, public deposits,etc.

7. Advise the Board of Directors of legal obligations, company law and practice.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) ‘ICSI House’ 22, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110 003 develops and regulates the profession of Company Secretaries in India. It registers students, imparts training through postal courses as well as optional oral classes and conducts examinations through the 4 regional centers in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and 36 chapters covering all major cities in India. For more details of regional offices log on to : www.icsindia.org

Steps to become a Company Secretary

1. Enroll for the foundation course / Intermediate course (as per your qualification) and complete the compulsory postal coaching. Clear the Foundation / Intermediate Exams conducted by ICSI.

2. Enrol for final course – compulsory postal coaching. Simultaneously also undergo 18 months practical training under a practising Company Secretary or a CS firm (CA’s are exempt from the training). This training includes brief placements in large public and private sector undertakings and Stock Exchanges. This is followed by 4 months of practical training known as SMTP (Secretarial Modular Training Programme).

3. Pass the final examination, you qualify to become an Associate Company Secretary (ACS) with ICSI and later with seniority, one will become a Fellow of ICSI and can use the tag FCS.

Eligibility

For Foundation course : 10+2 or an equivalent examination.

For Intermediate course : Graduates or post-graduates in commerce, or any other field except fine arts. Also those who have passed out of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountancy or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

For Final Course : Pass in Foundation / Intermediate Course

Examinations

Examinations are held in June and December every year, at 36 centres, spread across the country. A student has to register for each of the examinations at least nine months prior to the month in which the examination is held.

Job Opportunities

1. In the corporate sector (public sector as well as private sector)

2. Financial institutions, co-operative societies as Financial directors, advisors, etc.

3. State and Central Government Departments - Department of Company affairs

4. Stock exchanges as stock broker, consultant or share transfer agents

5. Company law boards – Public and private sector.

6. Self Employment by obtaining a practice certificate from ICSI.

7. Set up own CS firm after gaining good expertise and reputation.

(The writer is a Career counsellor with MSW- Career Guidance & Information center, Bangalore)
Momin’ Students Welfare Trust (M.S.W.T)
# 214, United School Building,
Ilyasnagar, Bangalore – 560078.
Website: www.mswt.org