Career As Company Secretary

The Company Secretary is:

Role of a Company Secretary

Corporate Governance and Secretarial Services

Management Services

1. General/ Strategic Management
2. Corporate Communication and Public Relations
3. Human Resources Management
4. Information Technology

A qualified Company Secretary has openings in Employment and as Practising Independent Professional

Company Secretary in Employment

1. Companies with a paid up share capital of Rs.5 crore or more are compulsorily required to appoint a whole-time Company Secretary under section 383A of Companies Act,1956.
2. All companies seeking listing on Stock Exchange are required to appoint a whole-time Company Secretary
3. Membership of the Institute is recognized for appointment to superior posts and services under Central Government
4. Membership of the Institute is a recognised qualification for recruitment from Grade I to Grade IV in the Accounts branch of the Indian Company Law Service.
5. Almost every kind of organization whose affairs are conducted by boards, councils or other association, federation, authority, commission or like , finds it useful to appoint a person who holds the qualification of Company Secretaries in key administrative position.

SELF EMPLOYMENT (PRACTICE)

After obtaining a ‘Certificate of Practice’ from the Institute, Members of the Institute can go for Independent Practice.

1. Every company having a paid-up share capital of Rs. 10 Lakh or more but less than   Rs. 5 Crore, is required to engage the services of a Secretary in Whole-time practice to obtain a   compliance certificate.
2. Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement, Practising Company Secretaries have been authorized to issue Certificate regarding compliance of conditions of Corporate Governance as stipulated in the Clause.
3. Practising Company Secretaries have also been recognized to appear before various Tribunals such as Company Law Board, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Competition Commission, Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Consumer Forums, Tax Tribunals etc.,
4. Recently the Reserve Bank of India has recognized the Practising Company Secretaries to undertake Diligence Report for Banks

Company Secretary as an independent professional

• A Company Secretary in practice is recognized to issue certificates and attest documents inter alia under:
• Companies Act, 1956
• SEBI Act, SCRA and regulations made there under Depositories Act, 1996
• Exim Policy etc.

Company Secretaries in Practice also render services in the following areas:

1. Legal, Secretarial and Corporate Governance
2. Corporate Restructuring
3. Foreign Collaborations and Joint Ventures
4. Arbitration and Conciliation
5. Financial Management
6. Project Planning
7. Capital Market and Investor Relations
8. Due Diligence
9. Corporate Advisory Services

Course Highlights:

1. 10+2 pass or equivalent / Graduate can join
2. No Entry Barrier – opportunity for every student
3. Cost Effective
4. Distance Learning – any where in the world
5. 24x7 study through e-learning
6. Flexibility in the schedules – Registration valid for 3 to 5 years.
7. Excellent career opportunities for CS professional
8. Position of Power and Prestige
9. Offers Self Employment  and Job Opportunities
10. Direct Access to Top Management / Board Room
11. Good remuneration and growth opportunities
12. Good career option for girls also.
13. Opportunities across various sectors at all locations.
14. Opportunities Abroad – MOU with ICSA, London
15. Opportunity to pursue B.Com with Major in Corporate Affairs and Administration and M.Com in Business Policy and Corporate Governance from IGNOU.

Exemption from Computer Training:

• To facilitate the mandatory requirement for students having computer knowledge to pass the online test, M/s Sify Software has developed an online testing portal where students can appear for online test and will be able to download their certificates after 15 days of passing of online test.
• This will ensure that there is no delay in receiving the certificate after clearing the online test. Students can go to the online portal, register for the test and block a centre for appearing in the test. Payment for the online test can be done both in online or offline mode (through branches of SBI using Powerjyoti scheme). Students can register themselves for the said online test at the website  http://icsi.sifyitest.com.

1. Under e-learning, students can have continuous access to studies and guidance of faculties on-line.  The e-learning module will enable the students to have access to learning and faculty support at any time as per their convenience.  Interactivity will be established by modules such as Discussion Boards and Online Chat. After the proposed virtual classroom facility under e-learning portal starts, students will be able to interact live with the faculty.  This will take the CS course studies virtually into the space age.
2. Undergoing of e-learning is in addition and not in substitution to compulsory postal tuition.  E-learning is designed to provide a virtual contact between the teacher and the taught. Students intending to join e-learning are therefore, required to pay additional fees as determined by the Institute from time to time.

Stages to become a Company Secretary:

The student who would like to join the Course after 10+2 pass or equivalent has to undergo three stages to pursue the Company Secretaries Course i.e.
Foundation Programme
Executive Programme
Professional Programme

The Student who would like to join the Course after passing the Graduation has to undergo two stages of the Company Secretaryship i.e.
Executive Programme
Professional Programme

Foundation Programme which is of eight months duration can be pursued by 10+2 pass or equivalent students of Arts, Science or Commerce stream (Excluding Fine Arts)

Executive Programme can be pursued by a Graduate of all streams except Fine Arts.

Cut off dates for admission to CS course: .

Fee Structure for CS Course

Medium of Examination

Time limit for completing CS Examination

ICSI ORAL TUITION GUIDELINES / PPP GUIDELINES:

Existing Practical experience and training requirements
The students are required to undergo the following trainings:

1. 7 days Student Induction Programme (SIP)-  within six months of Registration to Executive Programme or exempted therefrom for becoming eligible to seek enrolment to appear in Executive Program Examination.
2. 70 hours compulsory computer training program- for becoming eligible to seek enrolment to appear in Executive Program Examination.
3. 8 days Executive Development Programme (EDP) - after passing the Executive Programme and before commencement of 15 months training.
4. 25 hours of Professional Development Programme (PDP) during 15 months training
5. 15 months training after passing the Executive Programme or Professional Programme on completion of Student Induction Program and Executive Development Program with companies and Company Secretaries in Practice registered with the Institute for imparting training
6. 3 months practical training is required to be undergone by the student if the student completes professional program examination and exempted from undergoing at least 12 months training on the basis of Company Secretaries Regulations,1982, as amended on submitting the documents to the Institute and fulfills the requirement of Regulation 48. This training will be exempted to the students who have undergone 15 months training.
7. 15 days training in a specialized agency such as Registrar of Companies (ROC) / Stock Exchange / Financial and Banking Institution/Management Consultancy Firm can only be commenced if the student completes SIP,EDP , 15 months training and having passed professional program examination.
8. 15 days Management Skills Orientation Programme (MSOP)- after Professional Programme and on completion of Executive Development Program and 15 months training

1. The students can be exempted from undergoing training totally or partially depending on the practical experience possessed by them on fulfilling the requirement of the Company Secretaries Regulations,1982, as amended, on submitting the relevant documents.
2.  A student after passing the Professional Programme may enroll as ‘Licentiate ICSI’ at his/her option until completion of training requirements.

New Training Structure approved by the Council

• The proposed New Training Structure comprised of twenty-four months training with a Company or Practising Company Secretary for Executive Programme passed students, four days Student Induction Programme (SIP), seventy hours of Information Technology Training (ITT), ten days Executive Development Programme (EDP), five days (forty hours) Professional development Programme (PDP) and three weeks non- residential/two weeks residential Management Skills Orientation Programme (MSOP).
• The Council of the Institute has also approved the alternate training for thirty-six months with a Practising Company secretary for the students registered to the Executive Programme Course.
• In addition the Council of the Institute has also approved the Internal Exemption Policy from undergoing training on the basis of qualification or experience.

MEMBERSHIP

  After qualifying the CS Professional Programme and on completion of training as provided under the CS Regulations, a candidate is enrolled as an Associate Member of the Institute and he can use the descriptive title “ACS” after his / her name. 

Further Academic Pursuits

1. The CS course is recognised by the various Universities for admission to Ph.D Course.
2. Utilisation of services of members by various professional/educational bodies for academic activities
3. ICSI conducts Post Membership Qualification (PMQ) Course in Corporate Governance.

Placement

The Headquarters and Regional Offices offer placement services to:

1. Members
2. Executive or Professional Passed students
3. Names of candidates are sponsored to prospective employers on request
4. Placement assistance is also provided online on the Institute’s Website: www.icsi.edu
5. Campus Interviews are conducted to assist the students for employment

1. The Placement Cell set up at the Institute’s Headquarters, its Regional and Chapter offices, has been making constant efforts in helping the members in getting suitable placement.  In recent campus interviews, the meritorious students, having become fresh Company Secretaries, were picked up by regulators and reputed companies at very attractive salaries ranging between Rs.3 lacs to Rs.5 lacs per annum.
2. Company Secretaries have been working in various positions such as Company Secretary and Executive Director or Company Secretary and Vice President or Chief Compliance Officer or Asstt. Company Secretary or Legal Officer or Company Secretary and Finance Officer etc. In the large corporates and multi-national companies they are attracting huge pay packages ranging between Rs. Twenty Five lacs and Rs. One Crore per annum. Salary packages, of course, depend upon the capabilities and capacities of a person and vary from sector to sector.  Company Secretaries also work in public sector companies at Central and State levels and also in the Union, State and Local Governments, charitable and non-profit organizations.

Prizes, Merit Scholarship and Merit-cum-Means Assistance

1. The Institute awards Prizes, merit scholarships to the meritorious students
2. Merit-cum-Means Assistance is granted to the economically weaker students

• Applicants belonging to SC/ST are required to pay only half the Registration fees

• Physically Handicapped Students are required to pay the Registration fee as follows:          Foundation Programme: Rs.1500/-
  Executive Programme:   Rs. 2000/-
  Professional Programme: Nil    

ICSI Students Education Fund Trust  

ICSI - IGNOU Course
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (B.COM) WITH MAJOR IN CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATION
Eligibility for Admission:
(a) 10 + 2 or its equivalent ; and
(b) Registration in Company Secretaryship, Foundation Programme.
Students who have passed Company Secretaryship Intermediate/Executive Programme Course shall also be eligible for admission.
Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi. 
Fee Structure:  Rs. 4800/-
Programme Structure: This programme comprises of:

• 4 courses of Bachelor Degree Programme (BDP) programme of IGNOU,
• 4 courses of Foundation Programme of Company Secretaryship and
• 6 courses of Executive Programme of Company Secretaryship.

Duration of the Programme: Minimum 3 years and maximum 6 years

MASTER OF COMMERCE (M.COM) IN BUSINESS POLICY AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Eligibility for Admission:
      (a) Graduate in any discipline or equivalent qualifications from a recognized University/Institute.
      (b) Passed in Company Secretaryship Executive Programme.
Candidates who have already passed the Company Secretaryship course shall also be eligible for admission.
Programme Structure: The programme consists of:

• 4 courses from the existing M.Com. programme offered by IGNOU
• 8 courses of Company Secretaryship Professional Programme offered by ICSI. 

Medium of Instruction:  English and Hindi.
Fee Structure: Rs. 6000/-

MOU with ICSA, London The ICSI and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK (ICSA) after satisfying the high standards of examination and appreciating each others activities in promoting the best practices in Company Secretaries and professional education & administration signed an MOU which provides for reciprocal exemptions on mutual basis. 

Members of ICSI are exempted from passing 14 out of 17 papers and are required to pass the following three core papers to acquire the membership of ICSA:

      • Corporate Law
      • Corporate Secretaries
      • Corporate Administration

Members of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, in good standing for a period of two years, can avail of the benefit of the MOU.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and Chartered Institute for Secrutites and Investment, London, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in terms of which ICSI inter alia will offer certain units of CISI  qualifications in capital markets, commodity markets, fund management, wealth management and investment banking as electives to both its students & members.  This will provide them an exposure to the Securities & Investment industry apart from an internationally recognised qualification.

• CISI has offered certain recognitions to ICSI students who have passed the ‘Executive Programme, which will facilitate their obtaining the ‘International Investment Administration Qualification (IAQ)’.
• CISI has also recognised membership of ICSI for automatic membership of CISI at the associate level (ACSI). Senior practitioners of ICSI in Securities and Investment industry would be entitled to apply for Membership (MCSI).

MOU with Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAISCSA)

ICSI has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA). The MOU will help students and members in attending the training programmes, exchange of course material and undertake research projects.

Exemptions

Exemption from individual paper(s) of the Executive Programme Examination
A candidate shall be exempted from the following paper(s) of the Executive Programme examination if he/she possesses the qualification(s) specified against each paper, having secured 50% or more marks in the aggregate and applies for exemption on or before last date for enrolment for the examination paying requisite exemption fee which at present is ` 1,000/- per paper :
    1.   Industrial, Labour and General Laws: A Degree in Law (three years or five years integrated) from a recognised University/Institute either constituted under an Act of Parliament or approved by AICTE/AIU.
    2.   Cost and Management Accounting: M.A. (Corporate Secretaryship)/ M.Com./M.B.A. (with Advanced Accountancy as one of the subjects at B.Com/B.B.A./B.A. (Corporate Secretaryship) level and with full paper in Cost Accounting/Management Accounting/Financial Management at M.A. (Corporate Secretaryship)/M.Com./M.B.A. level having secured 50% marks in the subject concerned) from a recognised University/Institute either constituted under an Act of Parliament or approved by AICTE/AIU.
          A candidate who has done Post Graduate Diploma in Management will be considered for exemption from the paper (CA & CMA) only if he/she submits documentary evidence from AICTE/AIU to the effect that PGDBM issued is equivalent to MBA.
    3.   Tax Laws and Practice: M.A./M.B.A. (Corporate Secretaryship) from a recognised University/Institute either constituted under an Act of Parliament or approved by AICTE/AIU.
4.16.5 Paperwise Exemption to Cost Accountants
A candidate who has passed the Final examination of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, shall be exempted from the following papers of the Executive Programme examination on making an application together with attested copy of the Final Pass certificate and the requisite exemption fee @ ` 1,000/- per paper on or before the last date of submission of enrolment application for the examination:
    1.   Cost and Management Accounting (Module I, Paper 2)
    2.   Tax Laws and Practice (Module I, Paper 4)
    3.   Company Accounts and Auditing Practices (Module 2, Paper 5).
A candidate who has passed the Final examination of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India shall be exempted from the following papers of the Professional Programme examination on making an application in this behalf together with attested copy of the Final Examination Pass Certificate of Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI-CMA) and the requisite exemption fee @ ` 1,000/- per paper on or before the last date for submission of enrolment application for the examination :

1. Advanced Company Law and Practice (Module 1, Paper 1).
2. Financial, Treasury and Forex Management (Module 2, Paper 5).
3. Advanced Tax Laws and Practice (Module 3, Paper 7).

CS Helpline: 011- 4150 4444

For further details please contact / write to

ICSI HOUSE, 22 Institutional Area,
Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003
Tel:  011-4534 1000, 4150 4444 Fax: 24626727
Email: info@icsi.edu

Directorate of Students Service
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
C-37, Sector 62, NOIDA 201 301(U.P.),
Tel: 0120-4522 061 / 071 / 081,
E-Mail: ss_reg@icsi.edu; ss_enrol@icsi.edu