How To Become Company Secretary : Full Knowledge

Company Secretary popularly named by CS in students. The following article is the in-depth study of career/course Company Secretary. Now the biggest question is:-


Who is Company Secretary?
Company Secretary is basically an important link between the Board of Directors, Shareholders and Government & Other Agencies with expertise in legal matters, securities law, capital market, corporate governance and tax related matters etc. He is to ensure that the company remains within the right side of the law.


According to Wikipedia : - 
A Company Secretary is a senior position in a private sector or public sector organization, normally in the form of a managerial position or above. 


A Company Secretary deals with complex technical legal issues on a daily basis. To fight with those situations he should have a very keen interest in law, economics, business, finance etc. Since new laws are coming every session he has to update himself so that he can help him out from various situations. Moreover a Company Secretary should have excellent command over his/her English language.

Quick Facts :

1. Eligibility       :    10+2 passed
2. Duration        :    3.5 years for 10+2 passed student and 2.5 years for Graduation Degree
3. Levels            :    3 
4. Exams Time  :    Conducted in the month of June and December for all the 3 levels

Structure of the exam :

To become a Company Secretary you have to clear three levels :-

Level A :- Foundation Programme   

1. Eligibility                      :     class 10+2
2. Minimum Duration       :     8 Months 
3. Maximum Duration      :     should have to be completed within 3 years of registration

There are four exams in this level which are :

(a) English and Business Communication Skills 

(b) Economics and Statistics 

(c) Financial Accounting 

(d) Elements of Business Law and Management

Level B :- Executive Programme 

1. Eligibility                     :     Clear foundation programme or Graduates from all disciplines except Fine Arts can enroll directly for second level. 
2. Minimum Duration     :      1 year 
3. Maximum Duration    :      should have to be completed within 5 years of registration 

There are 2 modules in this level. Each module contain 3 subjects.

Module 1 :-  (a) General and  Commercial laws

                    (b) Company Accounts, Cost and  Management Accounting 

                    (c) Tax Laws 

Module 2 :-  (d) Company Laws

                     (e) Economic and Labour Laws 

                     (f) Securities Laws Compliances 

Level 3 :-  Professional Programme 

1. Eligibility                  :      Cleared Executive Programme
2. Minimum Duration    :      1year
3. Maximum duration    :      should have to be completed within 5 years pf registration 

There are 4 modules in this level. Each module contain 2 subjects. 

Module 1 :- (a) Company Secretarial Practice 

                    (b) Drafting, Appearances and Pleadings

Module 2 :- (c) Financial, Treasury and Forex Management, Alliances and International Trades 

                   (d) Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency 

Module 3 :- (e) Strategic Management, Alliances and International Trade 

                   (f) Advance Tax Laws

Module 4 :- (g) Due Diligence and Corporate Compliance Management 

                   (h) Governance, Business, Ethics and Sustainability 

When the above said programme is completed there is a 15 months training for practice of CS during which a fresher is paid a stipend of Rs . 5,000 - Rs. 10,000. They will be sponsored by the institute. 

                                                                                                                       Source : Career360.com                        

Role of a Company Secretary :   

According to Company bill 2009 a Company Secretary position is been similar to CEO or CFO, what does that mean? That means the job has a great responsibilities on its arms. 

But earlier Company Secretary's role was very natural to designation name. The role was to do simple secretaryship jobs like conduct board meetings, checking balance sheets, maintenance of records etc. 

But now days their job area is wide. Now they are contributing in company restructuring, formulating corporate policies, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures within and outside India. One of the most crucial part of the job is they know every confidential information of the company that means job comes with many commitment.

Scope and Career Growth of the Job :

Company Secretary can be employed by company or he can start his own fresh company but according to Companies Act 1956 it is compulsory for companies to have a minimum paid up share capital of Rs. 5 crore or above to appoint a CS. 

A fresh CS can start his career by taking at least Senior Executive or Assistant Manager job in a company. By the time and having experience he can reach to Executive Director or Vice - President of a company post. A newly appointed CS can earn between Rs. 20,000 - Rs. 25,000 p.m. But salary perks majorly depends on the company's reputation, the sector in which you are selected and finally your hard work.  

So what do you think ?

Photos: minglebox.com, companysecretary.incretary.in