COMPANY SECRETARY

The career course of Company Secretary is not only prestigious but is financially rewarding too. The post of a Company Secretary is considered a respectable one in the hierarchy and this is one of the most important posts a person handles. This is because, in this position, one acts as the mediator between the company and its Board of Directors, government, shareholders and regulatory authorities. The job of a company secretary is to ensure that the Board procedures are strictly followed and regularly revised. Company Secretary is the conscience seeker of a company. He or she guides the Chairman and the Directors on how to make the best use of their responsibilities under various laws. There are so many career institutes in India that offer courses for company secretary.

Companies Act: As per the Companies Act, 1956, every company with a paid-up share capital of Rs. Two crores or above has to appoint a whole time Company Secretary. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has developed and regulated the profession of Company Secretaries in the country.

Eligibility: A candidate needs to clear 3 stages to qualify as Company Secretary and these are:

• Foundation Course
• Intermediate Course
• Final Course

These are the three levels included in the courses on company secretaryship. The details are as follows:
Foundation 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.

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

One passing the Final examination of ICSI you will need to undergo a practical training after which, you will be completely eligible for the Associate Membership of the Institute.

Company Secretary Training:

• The Training Orientation Programme (TOP) is for 5 days and is done before commencement of training.
• This is followed by training for 15 months after the candidate has passed the Intermediate Examination or Final Examination.
• There is a practical training for 3 months. This is after passing the Final examination and that too, for those, who have been exempted from undergoing the 15 months training.
• There is a Training with Registrar of Companies (ROC), Stock Exchange, financial or banking institution for 15 days.
• The Secretarial Modular Training Programme (SMTP) is conducted after the candidate has passed the Final Examination and completed the Training requirement. It is for 15 days.
• Depending on the practical experience of the candidates, they can be exempted from training completely or partially.

Qualities to become a successful Company Secretary:

Candidate must be dedicated and skilled in writing and speaking good English. Bearing a moral character is important. Diplomacy should be followed in understanding the company strategies and policies of the company. Intellectual, Loyal, sophisticated, loyal and meticulous individuals become successful company secretary.

Company Secretary Course Scope :

Scope in India : With the onward march of globalization in India remaining unabated the corporate sector has witnessed tremendous growth. Numerous companies from diverse fields have emerged on the Indian economic scene and with it the complexities involved in the running of an organization have also skyrocketed. It is here that the role of a Company Secretary is so important to an organization or business house, since he is competent to provide sound advice on corporate, legal, secretarial, administrative and even tax related matters. While a Company Secretary can aspire to get employment opportunities in government accounts or law departments, he can become a Chairman or Managing Director of a Company or be a part of the esteemed Board of Directors of a Company. A budding and meritorious Company Secretary can hope to start his career with a monthly remuneration of Rs.20,000 - Rs.25,000. However, for an ordinary candidate, a monthly salary of Rs.10, 000 is almost guaranteed.