It pays to be a Company Secretary
|
Company Secretaries play a significant role in corporate restructuring, arbitration and conciliation, financial management and project planning. What are the essential requirements to become a Company Secretary? M. Dinesh Varma
|
One of the rewarding careers in terms of profile, prestige and pay is that of the Company Secretary.
There are three stages to qualify as a CS — Foundation course (five papers), Intermediate (eight papers) and Final (nine papers). The CS course is by correspondence with provision for optional oral coaching classes. The cut-off date for admission to Foundation Course is March 31 / September 30, while for Intermediate Course, it is February 28 / August 31.
The minimum qualification for Foundation Course is a Plus-Two or equivalent in any stream except Fine Arts, while for Intermediate Course, it is a CS Foundation pass or graduation in any discipline (Arts/Science/Commerce, except Fine Arts). A candidate is eligible for the Final examination after passing the Inter. A 16-month management training has to be undergone after passing the Inter / Final examination.
The ICSI and regional councils and chapters offer placement services to members and students. A qualified CS has openings in employment and independent practice. Companies with a paid-up share capital of Rs. 2 crores or more are compulsorily required to appoint a whole-time CS. Similar is the case with companies seeking listing on stock exchange. Membership of the Institute is recognised for appointment to superior posts and services under Central Government or for recruitment from Grade I to Grade IV in the accounts branch of the Indian Company Law Service.
A CS in practice is authorised to issue certificates and attest documents under Companies Act, 1956, and various other norms. The person can also render services in legal, secretarial and corporate governance, corporate restructuring, foreign collaboration and joint ventures, arbitration and conciliation, financial management and project planning. A candidate who qualifies in the Final examination and completes the stipulated training is admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a professional body established by an Act of Parliament to develop and regulate the profession of company secretaries in the country.
The Company Secretaryship examinations are conducted under the broad mandate of the ICSI. The CS course is recognised by various universities for admission to Ph.D course, appointment of lecturers and utilisation of services of members by various professional / educational bodies for academic activities. Headquartered in New Delhi, the ICSI's Southern India Regional Council office is located at 9, Wheatcrofts Road, Nungambakkam, Chenai-600 034 (Phone: 28279898, E-mail: icsisirc@md3.vsnl.net.in; icsisirc@sify.com; siro@icsi.edu
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
Karnataka
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
