The Company Secretary plays a pivotal role in the corporate governance and administration of a legal entity. Formal internationally recognised qualification is undertaken via the Institute of Chartered Secretaries (ICSA). A career as a company secretary is open to graduates from all disciplines and non graduates alike.
The training combines the study and application of legal and financial disciplines with relevant practical experience
The Professional Qualification (ICSA)
The ICSA comprises of four parts with sixteen modules in total:
- 1) Certificate in Business Practice (open to all)
- Business Environment
Business Communication
Accounting for Business
Business Management
2) Diploma in Business Practice
- Business Law in Practice
Marketing
Business Finance
Business Strategy and Planning
3) Professional Programme Part 1 (open to all graduates)
- Corporate Law
Financial accounting
Management Accounting
Strategic and Operations Management
4) Professional Programme Part 2 (open to graduates with a relevant degree)
- Corporate Governance
Corporate Administration
Corporate Secretaryship
Corporate Financial Matters
Non-graduates are obliged to sit all 16 modules, graduates with relevant degrees (e.g. Law or Business Administration) enter at the Professional Part 2 stage (leaving only 4 modules to take), whilst those with non-relevant degrees undertake modules from the Professional Programme Part 1 before progressing on to Professional Programme Part 2 (requiring 8 modules to sit).
Once you have passed all the applicable exams, you will become a Graduate of the ICSA (GradICSA).
Once you have gained the requisite number of years of relevant experience you can become an Associate (ACIS) and eventually a Fellow of the Institute (FCIS).
The Institute also offers Collaborate Courses. These are postgraduate degrees run by UK universities and upon completion you will be awarded both a postgraduate degree and GradICSA status.