Company Secretary

Job Profile

• Company Secretary (CS) is one of the principal officers of the company. They keep the company’s records; complete the company’s tax returns; advise the Board of Directors of their legal obligations to ensure that companies comply with statutory legislation.
• CS is also responsible for carrying out finance, accounts, legal, administrative and personnel functions in addition to his secretarial duties.
• The role starts from the very moment when the idea of formation of a company is conceived. However, a company secretary’s actual function varies from company to company.
• The responsibilities in a large or medium firm include incorporation, public issues including listing of shares and debentures, processing of applications for managerial appointments, remuneration, inter-corporate investments and loans, conduct of board and general meeting and maintenance of records, filing returns, preparation of project financing, acting as internal legal advisor and representative when needed.

Salary/Package

A Corporate Secretary with 1-4 years experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of Rs 4-5 lakh p.a. A mid-career Corporate Secretary with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of 9-10 lakh p.a. An experienced Corporate Secretary with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of Rs 14 lakh p.a. In their late career, employees earn an average total compensation of up to Rs. 22 lakh p.a. The salaries may vary based on experience, skills, roles, location, etc.

Skills required

• Organised
• Ability to understand complex & technical issues
• Tactful
• Competence with numbers
• Capability to multi-task
• Command of written & spoken English
• Loyalty to the company

Pros and Cons of being Company Secretary

Pros

• High paying salary
• Travel opportunities in the form of business trips
• Surrounded and work with intelligent people
• Can work in a team or sometimes alone

Cons

• Long work week
• High amounts of stress
• No time for family and friends
• Involves too much of travelling

How do I become one

Path 1

Std XII (Stream: Any) >> Entry CS (CS Foundation) >> Graduation (Any) >> CS Course (Executive>Professional>Integrated) >> Goal (Company Secretary)

Path 2

Std XII (Stream: Any) >> Foundation (CS/CA/CMA) >> Graduation (Any subject 50%) >> Entrance test (Integrated CS course>3yr CS training) >> Goal (Company Secretary)

Company Secretary course goes through 3 stages of study and training; (1) Foundation (2) Executive Program (3) Professional Program.

After +2 a student is eligible to enrol for the CS Foundation Course. This course is an eight month course. Examination can be taken twice a year, in June and December. Enrolment for December exam ends in March and for June exam in September.

Candidates who pass the CS Foundation examination are eligible to seek registration to the Executive Program. Students qualifying CA foundation , CMA Foundation courses are also eligible.

Graduates in any discipline (except Fine Arts) with min aggregate 50% can enrol in the Executive program. Professional Program is pursued after clearing the Executive Programme. Finally an Internship has to be completed.

Integrated Company Secretary course: On the basis of an entrance exam or score in CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, SNAT,ATMA, MH-CET 50 candidates are selected for a 3 year full time (non residential ) Company Secretary course including 1 year of Internship.