LET'S KNOW ABOUT COMPANY SECRETARY (CS)
Company Secretary (CS) is one of the principal posts in a company. A certified Company Secretary handles the legal aspects of a business enterprise or sole proprietorship. A CS is responsible for maintaining and auditing the company’s tax returns, keeping records, advising the board of directors regarding the financial health of the company and ensuring that the company complies with legal and statutory regulations. To be able to professionally practice Company Secretaryship, an individual has to complete professional training and pass examinations.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India regulates and maintains the profession of Company Secretaries. The ICSI provides training and education to lakhs of aspiring Company Secretaries. At present, there are more than 65,000 members and about 2,50,000 students on the rolls of ICSI.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India provides training to candidates aspiring to pursue CS. The institute conducts the CS programme at three levels. On completion of all these three levels, candidates are issued certificate to practice Company Secretaryship as a profession.
The CS programme offered by the ICSI includes three levels:
- Foundation Programme (Now replaced with CS Executive Entrance Test or CSEET)
Executive Programme
Professional Programme
Company Secretary Eligibility Criteria
Any student who aspires to become a certified Company Secretary must fulfill the given below eligibility criteria to pursue the course:
Minimum qualification required to register for the first level (Foundation Programme or CSEET) of Company Secretary course is to Class 12 pass in any stream (excluding Fine Arts) from a recognized university or equivalent.
The candidate who wishes to pursue CS after graduation will have to complete only two levels: Executive Programme and Professional Programme.
Those who have completed graduation, post-graduation (excluding Fine Arts) or have cleared Foundation level of CA and Cost Accounting course by ICWAI can directly take admission to CS Executive level.
Company Secretary Exams
Admission to ICSI’s Company Secretary programme is open throughout the year. The exams are conducted bi-annually in June and December. Aspiring candidates can apply according to their choice of exam month.
Those who wish to appear for the Foundation Programme examination in December (same year) must get themselves enrolled by March 31; those who wish to appear in the June exam next year must enroll themselves by September 30.
Those who wish to join CS from the Executive Programme level must enroll by February 28 for appearing in both modules in December exam in the same year or by August 31 for appearing in both modules in the June exam next year.
In case one wants to appear in a single module in June Examination in the next year; they must get enrolled in Executive Programme by November 30.
A candidate is declared to have passed the Foundation / Executive / Professional examination if he/she secures in one sitting a minimum of 40 per cent in aggregate in each paper and 50 per cent in aggregate of all subjects.
Company Secretary is a profession which requires analytical skills, keen observation and an eye for detail. Although, the three-level CS course equips the candidates with all the required skills and training, one should choose the course only after analysing whether they can handle analytical tasks and responsibilities pertaining to financial assessments and auditing.
Company Secretary Required Skillset
Company Secretaryship is a job that requires perseverance, mental strength and strong convincing power. Some of the desirable skillset for this job are mentioned below:
| Skillset for Company Secretary Aspirant | |
|---|---|
Strong Communication Skills | Expertise in Company Law |
Time Management & Multitasking | Command over Written and Spoken English |
Analytical Skills | Strong Numerical Skills |
Note Taking Skills | Awareness on Legal Matters |
Company Secretary Subjects & Specialisations
This course is a corporate professional course. The Company Secretary Foundation course includes subjects like business environment, entrepreneurship, management, communication, ethics, economics, and accounting. Authorities have announced the new syllabus for ICSI CS in 2022. The new syllabus will be applicable for candidates registering from 2023 session onwards.
The Company Secretary Executive syllabus comprises company law, commercial law, tax law, general law, securities law, and accounts & audit practice.
In the Company Secretary Final course, candidates are taught secretarial practices, financial & treasury management. In the final module, candidates can choose one of the specialisations given below:
- Banking Law and Practice
- Capital, Commodity and Money Market
- Insurance Law and Practice
- Intellectual Property Rights – Law and Practice
- International Business-Laws and Practice
The Foundation Programme has four papers while the Executive Programme has eight papers divided into two modules and Professional Programme has nine papers divided into three modules. Candidates can check CS syllabus below:
CS Foundation Programme
Business Environment and Law
Business Management, Ethics and Entrepreneurship
Business Economics
Fundamentals of Accounting and Auditing
CS Executive Programme
Module I | Module II |
|---|---|
Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws | Corporate & Management Accounting |
Company Law | Securities Laws & Capital Markets |
Setting up of Business Entities and Closure | Economic, Business and Commercial Laws |
Tax Laws | Financial & Strategic Management |
CS Professional Programme
Module I | Module II | Module III |
|---|---|---|
Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics | Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence | Corporate Funding & Listings in Stock Exchanges |
Advanced Tax Law | Corporate Restructuring, Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding-up | Multidisciplinary Case Studies (The examination for this paper will be open-book examination) |
Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances | Resolution of Corporate Disputes, Non-Compliances & Remedies | Electives: 1 paper out of below 8 papers
(The examination for this paper is an open book examination) |
Company Secretary Fee Structure
The fee amount for each course level of Company Secretary is different and to be paid at the time of registration of a particular level. Apart from course fee, candidates also have to pay exam fee for CS. The CS Course fee structure is given below:
CS Executive Entrance Test Fees
CSEET Registration fees | INR 1,000 per appearance |
Concession in CSEET registration fee will be applicable as mentioned:
Category | Fee Concession |
|---|---|
SC/ST | 50% |
Physically Handicapped | 50% |
Wards and Widows of Martyrs and Defence Service Personnel with Permanent Disability | 100% |
Serving / Retired Personnel of Defence Services and Paramilitary Forces | 50% |
ICSI Staff and Wards / Spouse of ICSI Staff | 75% |
ICLS Officers/ Officers & Staff of MCA and affiliated offices (NCLT, SFIO and CCI) | 100% |
Students from North Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep & Himachal Pradesh | 50% |
Students from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh | 100% |
CS Executive Course Fees
Particulars | Fee to be paid by candidates who have passed: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
CS Executive Entrance Test | CS Foundation Programme
| Final Course of ICAI
| Final Course of ICMAI | |
Registration fee | INR 2,000 | INR 2,000 | INR 2,000 | INR 2,000 |
Education Fee | INR 6,500 | INR 6,500 | INR 6,500 | INR 6,500 |
CSEET Exemption Fee | Nil | Nil | INR 5,000 | INR 5,000 |
Pre-Exam Test Fee | INR1,000 | INR 1,000 | INR 1,000 | INR 1,000 |
One Day Orientation Program | INR 600 | INR 600 | INR 600 | INR 600 |
Chartered Secretary Journal Subscription (Optional) for one year | INR 500 | INR 500 | INR 500 | INR 500 |
Total Fees | INR 10,600 | INR 10,600 | INR 15,600 | INR 15,600 |
CS Professional Course Fees (After completing Executive Programme)
Particulars | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
Education Fee | INR 12,000 |
Pre-Exam Test Fee | INR 1,000 |
Total Fees | INR 13,000 |
Company Secretary Examination Fee
CS Programme | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
Executive | INR 1,200 per module |
Professional | INR 1,200 per module |
Note – Candidates will be charged late fee of INR 250 if not registered in within the deadline.
Company Secretary Career Prospects and Opportunities
CS professionals have a bright future. It is one of the prestigious job profiles in the field of Commerce and Accounting. After completing the course, candidates can make a career in stock exchange, company affairs departments, financial auditing firms, law boards and various government departments.
Company Secretary course opens various avenues for an individual. A trained and certified Company Secretary can work as an independent advisor to a firm for procedures of loans, taxes, partnerships, government licenses, registrations, etc. or join a company secretary firm to render services to its clients.
Key responsibilities of a Company Secretary include:
To keep the company’s records, maintain company’s tax returns, advise the Board of Directors of their legal obligations for compliance with statutory legislation
A Company Secretary is an important link between the company and its board of directors, shareholders, regulatory authorities, government, and other stakeholders
The job includes ensuring that the procedures are followed and regularly reviewed. It also includes guiding the Chairman and the Directors on their responsibilities under various laws
Advising on good governance and compliance of norms as prescribed under various Corporate, Securities and other Business Laws and regulations and guidelines made thereunder
Company Secretary also assists in developing a corporate and social sustainability framework
Company Secretary is responsible for secretarial compliance audit and certification services and representing the company before the law board, consumer forums, tax tribunals, securities appellate tribunal, registrars, etc.
Advising on arbitration, negotiation and conciliation in commercial disputes between parties and drafting the agreement
Advisory services to companies on tax management and tax planning under Income Tax, Excise and Customs laws, Service Tax and VAT, etc.
Providing advice in issues of shares and other securities in India and abroad
Drafting of prospectus/offer for sale/letter of offer/other documents related to issue of securities and obtaining various approvals in association with lead managers
Company Secretary as an independent professional can render services in the following areas:
Legal, Secretarial and Corporate Governance
Corporate Restructuring
Foreign Collaborations and Joint Ventures
Arbitration and Conciliation
Financial Management
Project Planning
Capital Market and Investor Relations
Due Diligence
Corporate Advisory Services
Company Secretary Job Profiles
Like a Chartered Accountant, a Company Secretary is also an essential pillar of business enterprises, whether big or small, government or private. Every business requires a Company Secretary to take care of tax, legal, and investment aspects on regular basis. Many companies hire independent company secretaries, while others opt for services offered by Company Secretary firms.
A qualified company secretary will find employment across all industries – from financial firms and banks to heavy industry as well as government organisations. The profiles that candidates get after completing the course are given below:
Job Profiles for Company Secretaries | |
|---|---|
Assistance to the Board of Directors | Administrative Secretary |
Company Registrar | Investor Capital Market Relations |
Legal Advisor | Administrative Assistant |
Corporate Policymaker | Managing Director |
Chief Administrative Officer | Chairman |
Principal Secretary | Corporate Planner |
Company Secretary Top Recruiters
Since good financial health is crucial to every organisations, the requirement for Company Secretaries is high in all the sectors. We have listed below a few companies that hire Company Secretaries:
Top Recruiters for Company Secretaries | |
|---|---|
ACB Group of Companies | Punjab National Bank |
Monolith Industries Limited | Shri Lal Mahal Ltd. |
GlocaL Healthcare Systems Pvt Ltd. | Parsvnath Infra Ltd. |
Trinity Reinsurance Brokers Ltd. | Janalakshmi Financial Services Pvt Ltd |
Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd. | DaVita Care (India) Pvt Ltd. |
Jaypee Group | SNG & Partners (Law Firm) |
Heinz India Pvt Ltd. | Birla Corporation Ltd. |
Omaxe Ltd. | BGM Consortium Ltd. |
Karur Vysya Bank Ltd. | OIL India Ltd. |
BESTECH India Pvt Ltd | HCL Technologies Ltd. |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) related to Company Secretary Courses
Q. What are the CS courses?
Q. Is Company Secretary a good career option?
A. Yes, CS is a good career option. A certified CS can join a finance, accounting and auditing firms which offer services to big organisations and multinational companies or they can start individual practice.
Q. Is CS tough?
In Company Secretary course, the papers are mostly theoretical which makes it a tough and time taking course for some students. With regular and dedicated study, candidates can crack CS exams.
Q. Is Maths compulsory for CS?
Q. Is there any age limit to pursue a CS course?
A. No, there is no age limit to pursue the Company Secretary course. Any candidate can pursue the course as per their convenience – after class 12, after graduation or even after gaining work experience in the same field.
Q. How many attempts are allowed for CS programme?
Q. How can I become CS after BCom?
A. Candidates who has complete BCom course can take direct admission to the CS Executive course. To get CS certification, such candidates have to pass Executive and Professional levels to get CS certification. They are not required to give a CS Foundation exam.
Q. Can CS and CA be pursued together?
A. Yes, candidates cannot pursue CS and CA courses together. However, candidates must pursue one course at a time as both the courses are highly demanding and time taking.
Q. How can I get an exemption in CS Executive programme?
Q. How many years is the Company Secretary course for?
A. The course is for three years. The CS course is divided into three levels:
Foundation Programme
Executive Programme
Professional Programme
Q. What is the salary of CS?
