Definition: A Company Secretary is the senior position in any public or private organization, placed at the top most level of the organization’s hierarchy i.e. at Management level.

The company secretary is responsible for regulating and efficiently managing the financial, legal and statutory requirements. Along with that he has to comply with the corporate governance that includes the welfare of all the stakeholders of the company viz shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the society.

Responsibilities of a Company Secretary

• Create Policies for the Company
• Manage Mergers and Acquisitions
• Maintain company records and annual accounts
• Intermediate between the Company and the Board of Directors
• To take care of public Issues
• Negotiate with legal parties such as Regulators, Lawyers, and Auditors

Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

In India, the Institute which regulates the profession of a Company Secretary is “The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)”. The Institute was established in 1980, under the Company Secretaries Act. It is headquartered in New Delhi with its regional offices located in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

The certificate of bestowing the designation of Company Secretary is awarded to the professionals who qualify for the membership of the Institute. As a starter, an individual may be appointed as an Assistant Manager, and is promoted to Company Secretary (CS) with the span of time.

Company Secretary Course

The minimum education criteria for the admission in the Secretary course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is that a person must have completed 10+2 in any subject including Arts, Commerce or Science. The main subjects are Company Law and Practice, Cost and Management Accounting, Tax Laws and Practice, Banking Law and Practice, Capital Markets, and Securities Laws, Information Technology, and Systems Audit, etc.