Company Secretary happens to be a professional course that is administered by ICSI that is the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, under the Company Secretaries Act of 1980 for developing and regulating the Company Secretaries profession in India. As per the Companies Act, those companies having a paid up capital of Rs 50 lakh have to recruit a Company Secretary. The Company Secretary programs that has gained immense popularity over the time, aims at imparting knowledge and understanding to the individuals about the modern practices involved in legal activities and corporate financial affairs.

A Company Secretary plays a crucial and a major role for the organization. He is expected to deal with a wide range of activities and areas within the company. He acts as connection between the Company, shareholders, the Board of Directors, governmental bodies and regulatory agencies. He is both the compliance officer and also the Strategic Manager and Corporate Planner of the company. He also takes care of the areas such as accounts, legal, finance, personnel and administrative, sales tax, labor laws, excise laws, and corporate law.

Eligibility and Courses

The Company Secretary Programs are held by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India or ICSI. The course can be divided into 3 parts, Foundation, Executive, and Professional.

In order to apply for the Foundation Course, one must have completed the 10+2 level. Individuals who have qualified at the Foundation Course, and are not below 17 years can go for the Executive program. Graduates and post-graduates (in disciplines excluding Fine arts) and the candidates who have qualified their final examination of ICAI, ICWAI or some other accountancy Institute, recognized by the Council of the Institute, abroad or in India, can directly apply for the Executive program without qualifying at the Foundation Examination. On the completion of the Executive Program, individuals can enroll for the Professional Program.

Foundation Programme

The Foundation Course continues for a period of 8 months. Students need to qualify the Foundation exam within three years from the date, when they were admitted to the course.

  • Subjects

1.      English and Business Communication (FCEBC)

2.      Financial Accounting (FCFA)

3.      Economics and Statistics

4.      Elements of Business Laws and Management (FERBAM)

Executive Programme

The Executive Program is divided into two modules.

  • Subjects

Module I

1.      General and Commercial Laws (IGCL)

2.      Tax Laws (ITL)

3.      Company Accounts and Cost & Management Accounting (ICA&CMA)

Module II

1.      Economic, Labour Laws

2.      Company Law (ICL)

3.      Securities Laws and Compliances

Final Programme :

A candidate is required to register for the Professional Program, nine months before the examination, at least.

  • Subjects

Module I

1.      Company Secretarial Practice

2.      Drafting, Appearances and Pleadings

Module II

1.      Financial, Treasury and Forex Management

2.      Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency

Module III

1.      Strategic Management, Alliances and International Trade

2.      Advanced Tax Laws and Practice

Module IV

1.      Due Diligence and Corporate Compliance Management

2.      Governance, Business Ethics and Sustainability

Training: After the completion of the Professional Program, the individuals are required to go for a practical training with the registrar of companies, Financial, Stock Exchange or banking institutes. After the completion of the training, the candidates need to undergo a Secretarial Modular Training Programme (SMTP).

Personal Attributes

  • Brilliant command over English
  • Excellent Communication Skill
  • The capability to understand and analyze technical and complex issues
  • Ability to act tactfully and intelligently
  • Loyal towards the Organization

Career Prospect

A Career as a Company Secretary comes with immense opportunities and lucrative offers. Company Secretaries have huge scopes to work in private firms, financial institutes, consulting firms, Department of company affairs, banks and many regulatory bodies. Talented company secretaries are required to deal several areas such as secretarial, accounts, finance, legal, administrative and personal departments etc. They are a part of all the important decisions and discussions of the companies, in formulating policies and programs and many more! Other major responsibilities comprises of managing public issues, incorporation, acting as internal legal advisor, maintain company’s records, process inter-corporate investments and loans, handle company’s tax planning, tax returns, tax management, explore the possible expansion opportunities, arrange for collaborations, joint ventures, amalgamations etc.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India- Contact Details

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India has 4 regional councils and also consists of several Chapters all through out the country.

Head Office:

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India,
ICSI House, 22, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110003
Phone-(011) 51504444, 24617321-24, 24644431-32
Fax-(011)24626727

Northern Region

ICSI-NIRC Building
Plot No.4 , Prasad Nagar Institutional AreaRajendra Palace, New Delhi -110005
Ph.-011 -25763090, 25767190, 25816593
Fax-25772662

Eastern Region

ICSI-EIRC House
3-A, Ahiripukur,Ist Lane, Near Beck Nursing Home, Kolkata -700019
Ph.-033-22816541, 22816542, 22832973
Fax-033-22816542

Western Region

ICSI-WIRC House
13 Jolly Maker chambers, No.II (Ist Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai -400021
Ph.-022-22021826
Fax: 022-2850109

Southern Region

ICSI-SIRC House
Old No. 4, New No. 9, Wheat Crofts Road, Nungambakkan, Chennai -600034
Ph.-(044)-28279898, 28268685