Company Secretary

A Company Secretary in the set-up of corporate sector plays the role of a mediator between the company, its board of directors, stakeholders, government and regulatory authorities. A Company Secretary has to play the role of a guiding force for the Chairman and Board of Directors to enable them to make wise decisions for the growth of the company. A Company Secretary is a professional who guides the company and its Board of Directors on any legal matter, acquisitions or mergers.

Eligibility and course:

The Company Secretary course conducted by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has three sections -Foundation, Intermediate, and Final course. The minimum eligibility to gain entry in the Foundation Course is a pass in 10+2 examination or its equivalent in any stream. The course is of 8 months duration.A pass in the Foundation Course Examination of the ICSI/Graduation degree or a Master's degree/Pass in ICWAI, ICAI can allow you entry in the intermediate course. The course is of 9 months.

Once you pass the Intermediate Course you automatically become eligible for admission to the Final Course.

To be eligible for appearing in the foundation or the intermediate course, you must register with the ICSI at least eight months in advance for the CS course. Admission to the course is open throughout the year. The examinations are held twice in June and December every year. The total number of examination centres is 55. The overseas centre is located in Dubai. To qualify as a CS you have to clear five papers in foundation exam, eight in intermediate and nine in final examination.

Institutions:

The Institute of Company Secretary of India is the only recognized and professional institute to conduct and regulate the course of company secretary. The institute has it’s headquarter at New Delhi with other three branches at Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.

• The Institute of Company Secretaries of India, New Delhi.
• Western India Regional Office of the ICSI, Mumbai.
• Southern India Regional Office of the ICSI, Chennai

Qualified company secretaries can find well-paid positions in the private sector and public corporate sector, banks and financial institutions, stock exchanges, company law boards, government departments. They can start private consultancy for their own.