The Company Secretary    

               Company Secretaryship is the course conducted by the  Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI),which is constituted under an Act of  Parliament, i.e. The Company Secretaries Act 1980.The ICSI is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India. 

          The Institute has its headquarters at New Delhi and four regional offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai and under their jurisdiction 45 Chapters and 24 Satellite Chapters located in various cities. The affairs of the Institute are managed by a Council consisting of 12 elected members and 4 nominees of the Central Government.

Role of a Company Secretary

           The Company Secretary is a vital link between the company and its Board of Directors, regulatory authorities and shareholders. Apart from the shareholders and directors, normally, the company communicates with the outside world through its Company Secretary. He counsels the Board  of Directors and other functional heads on legal implications of any proposal under contemplation. He is intended to ensure compliance of all laws affecting the working of a company for formalizing the business transactions. He is, therefore, required to possess specialized knowledge of various corporate, securities and other business, economic, industrial and labour laws and regulations and guidelines made there under. 

           With his multidisciplinary background in law, management and finance, backed by rigorous training and continuing education, the role of a Company Secretary flows from the promotion, formation, and incorporation of the company, maintenance of proper statutory registers and records to corporate laws, financial, accounting and general and strategic management advisory services.  Being a corporate development planner, he explores the expansion opportunities such as arranging various collaborations, amalgamations, acquisitions, setting up of subsidiaries and joint ventures within and outside India.  The Company Secretaries have made forays in the capital market and financial services industry.  They are also taking care of tax planning and tax management for the company and advising the management on the tax concessions, incentives, and reliefs.

Company Secretary in Employment 

            As per section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956 companies having paid-up share capital of Rs. 2 Crore or more, as prescribed by the Central Government, are statutorily required to appoint a whole-time Company Secretary. Membership of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is the only prescribed qualification for the above. Membership of the institute has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India for appointment to superior posts and services under the Central Government.

Company Secretary in Practice

              A member of the Institute may also practice independently as a professional after obtaining a certificate of practice from the Institute as provided in the Company Secretaries Act, 1980.  (For more details visit www.icsi.edu).

The Course Structure 

            The company Secretaryship course has 18 papers divided into three levels, namely,

Foundation  Programme

Executive Programme

Professional Programme      

The examinations are conducted twice during the year, ie., during the first week of June and last week of December every year. The results are promptly declared on 25th August and 25th February.

Pre-Membership Training 

             Students are required to undergo 15 months practical training in approved companies or with Company Secretary in Practice. 

Note : The above Information is extracted from the Institute’s Prospectus, only for an overall awareness about the course and those who are interested to join the course may also contact Chapters near your city which are available in the website www.icsi.edu or visit www.icsi.edu