A Company Secretary is a senior position in an organization, responsible for the efficient administration of a company, particularly with regard to ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and for ensuring that decisions of the board of directors are implemented. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India.
This article is to share the basic information about the Company Secretary – Roles, Career Options available, how to register, CS various stages, and other details for the CS aspirants.
The Company Secretary is:
- An in-house legal expert; a compliance officer of the Company.
- An expert in corporate laws, securities laws & capital market and corporate governance
- Chief advisor to the board of directors on best practices in corporate governance
- Responsible for all regulatory compliances of company
- Corporate planner and strategic manager
Role of a Company Secretary
A Company Secretary being multidisciplinary professional renders services in the following areas:
Corporate Governance and Secretarial Services
- Corporate Governance Services
- Corporate Secretarial Services
- Secretarial/ Compliance Audit and Certification Services
- Corporate Laws Advisory and Representation Services
- Corporate Laws Advisory Services
- Representation Services
- Arbitration & Conciliation Services
READ Too: ICSI Released Cut-Off Dates Of CS Course – Foundation, Executive, And Professional 2017-18
Financial Market Services
- Public Issue, listing and Securities Management
- Takeover Code, Insider trading, Mergers & Amalgamation
- Securities Compliance and Certification Services
- Finance & Accounting Services
- Taxation Services
- International Trade & WTO Services
Management Services
- General/ Strategic Management
- Corporate Communication and Public Relations
- Human Resources Management
- Information Technology
Self Employment (Practice)
After obtaining a “Certificate of Practice” from the Institute, Members of the Institute can go for Independent Practice. Company Secretary as an independent professional Company Secretaries in Practice also render services in the following areas:
- Legal, Secretarial and Corporate Governance
- Corporate Restructuring
- Foreign Collaborations and Joint Ventures
- Arbitration and Conciliation
- Financial Management
- Project Planning
- Capital Market and Investor Relations
- Due Diligence
- Corporate Advisory Services
Company Secretary Course Highlights
- 10+2 pass or equivalent / Graduate can join
- No Entry Barrier – opportunity for every student
- Cost Effective
- Distance Learning – anywhere in the world
- 24×7 study through e-learning
- Flexibility in the schedules – Registration valid for 3 to 5 years.
- Excellent career opportunities for CS professional
- Position of Power and Prestige
- Offers Self Employment and Job Opportunities
- Direct Access to Top Management / Board Room
- Good remuneration and growth opportunities
- Good career option for girls also
- Opportunities across various sectors at all locations
- Opportunities Abroad – MOU with ICSA, London
- Opportunity to pursue B.Com with Major in Corporate Affairs and Administration and M.Com in Business Policy and Corporate Governance from IGNOU.
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Stages to Become a Company Secretary
The student who would like to join the Course after 10+2 pass or equivalent has to undergo three stages to pursue the Company Secretaries Course i.e.
- Foundation Programme
- Executive Programme
- Professional Programme
The Student who would like to join the Course after passing the Graduation has to undergo two stages of the Company Secretaryship i.e. Executive Programme and Professional Programme.
- Foundation Programme
Foundation Programme which is of eight months duration can be pursued by 10+2 pass or equivalent students of Arts, Science or Commerce stream (Excluding Fine Arts).
- Executive Programme
Executive Programme can be pursued by a Graduate of all streams (except Fine Arts). A student who has passed the CPT passed of ICAI / Foundation Program passed of ICAI-CMA is also eligible to take admission in CS Executive Programme.
- Professional Programme
Professional Programme can be pursued only after clearing the Executive Programme of CS Course.
READ ALSO: ICSI Announces Fee Waiver Scheme In CS Programme For The North Eastern Students
Cut off Dates for Admission to CS Course
Admission to the CS Course is open throughout the year. Examinations are held twice a year in June & December.
| For Foundation Programme | 31st March for appearing in December Examination in the same year |
| 30th September for June Examination next year | |
| For Executive Programme | 28th February for appearing in both modules in December Exams in the same year year |
| 31st May for appearing in single module in December Examination in the same year | |
| 31st August for appearing in both modules in June Exam in the next year | |
| 30th November for appearing in the single module in June Examination in the next year. |
Here you got the details about Company Secretary Programme. Have any doubts regarding Company Secretary Course, Role, Career Options and other details, you can discuss with us via the AfterGraduation Forum. Share this article “Company Secretary: Role, Career Options And Stages To Become A CS” with your friends, who Commerce Student and CS aspirants. Connect with us for all latest updates on Facebook and Twitter also.
