The CS course, or company secretary course, is specifically created for students with a background in business. Nonetheless, this course is open to all students who have completed their 12 standards and come from any field. The education to become a company secretary is offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The Company Secretary (C.S.) profession emerged with the establishment of the course, which is accessible via remote learning.

Applicants who want to enroll in this programme at this institute must pass the CSEET, also known as the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test. The examination is given on a national level. The Foundation Programme, Executive Programme, Professional Programme, and Management Training are the four company secretary programs that candidates can choose from to become a secretary of a firm.

Why study for Company Secretary?

A person who enrolls in a company secretary course might become the company secretary of a certain corporation. Studying the Company Secretary course has the following advantages:

• One can learn how to fulfill every duty and position of a company secretary by enrolling in the Company Secretary course.
• Aspirants can study this course any time after 17 years of age.
• Applicants may choose to work flexibly and under minimal stress.
• Another advantage of becoming a company secretary is having good pay. In India, a company secretary makes an average annual pay of 6 lakhs.
• The position of company secretary is very fulfilling. A good and well-respected career with a high compensation and relatively little stress is being a secretary for a certain organization.

Who should study for company secretary?

• Applicants who possess strong mental fortitude and persuasive ability are encouraged to apply for the Company Secretary programme because a company secretary's job demands heavily rely on these two qualities.
• Also, there are a few ideal skills sets that applicants need to have in order to enroll in this programme. Strong communication, time management, and multitasking abilities are a few of these. Also, the candidate should be knowledgeable about company legislation, be a diligent planner, and have a solid command of both spoken and written English.

How can one become a company secretary?

Applicants who want to work as company secretaries (C.S.) must take the CSEET exam. This programme is open to students who have finished their 10+2 requirements. This exam has three levels: the foundation course, the executive course, and the professional course.

Prior to applying, candidates must get in the Foundation course, which is level one of the curriculums. Following passing, students must sign up for the Executive course before continuing to the Professional programme. The Professional level is followed by a final management training session. Candidates will receive official certification as a Company Secretary (C.S.) graduate after successfully completing that.

CS Foundation: Students are taught a variety of skills in the CS foundation course, including entrepreneurship, management, the business world, ethics, accounting, and economics.

CS Foundation Eligibility

To take the CS Foundation Test, students must be CS Foundation eligible. Below are the eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must pass their 10+2 entrance exams in order to enroll in the foundation course for the Company Secretary (C.S) programme.
• Applicants must have at least a 50% overall grade point average in their 12th-grade exams from an accredited educational institution or one that is comparable.

CS Executive Course: The CS executive course covers a variety of topics, mostly those related to law. This covers company law, general legal principles, tax law, accounting and auditing procedures, and securities legislation. For the executive programme in the Company Secretary course, review the requirements, duration, cost, syllabus, and entrance examinations.

CS Executive Eligibility

To take this test, you must meet the requirements for CS Executive Eligibility. The following is a list of the CS Executive Eligibility requirements:

• Except for a few exempted categories, all student categories must pass the CSEET Test in order to register for the Executive Program.
• For the CSEET, candidates must have completed Class 12.
• Moreover, the candidates' age limit should be higher than 17.

CS Professional Course: The CS program's professional course is its last stage.

CS Profession Eligibility: Candidates must successfully complete the CS executive programme in order to be considered for admission to the CS Professional programme.

Roles of a Company Secretary

According to the Companies Act, these are the roles described below under Section 205 of the Companies Act:

• To start and complete incorporation procedures, such as authenticating the documentation and registration processes
• Ensuring the registrar receives the information about the allocation and registration
• Monitoring the delivery of share allocation certificates and requesting an increase in share capital
• Tracking the holder of share warrants
• Obeying the law and filing annual returns
• Releasing the statutory declaration in order to get the certificate of beginning
• Managing the statutory books
• Providing meeting announcements and updates to all members at non-bank financial institutions
• Certifying and signing financial reports and statements (balance sheet and profit & loss statements)
• Resolution must be submitted to the registrar within 30 days.
• Making sure that all board and general meetings have minutes
• Must carry out additional tasks imposed by the act, such as informing the board of the act's compliance
• Making sure that the business complies with the relevant secretarial requirements
• Must carry out additional obligations as specified by the companies act according to Income Tax Return

Company Secretary Responsibilities

Corporate Beneficiary

The Companies Act gives a secretary specific right, including the ability to promote and company businesses, handle company certification and audit services, sign annual reports, manage company reorganizations and takeovers, transparently examine voting and report processes, administer the revival of sick businesses, join the Company Law Tribunal as a technical member, and investigate tax and other criminal cases.

Auditor

According to the Secretarial Service audit checklist, a secretary is authorized to annex a Secretarial Audit Report in the form of an MR-3 to the officials in order to ensure that the business complies with the regulations set forth in general laws and legal acts and to notify the government of any offensive fraud cases that are found. To ensure company adherence to and discipline about the law, this is done.

Advising Agent

CS works as an advising agent in cases involving the following: the issuance of shares; the drafting of prospectuses/sale letters/issues related to securities; private placement and buyback of shares; the raising of funds from international markets; the syndication and documentation of loans; income tax planning; the drafting of legal documents; in matters pertaining to intellectual property rights; the direction of merger, amalgamation, and joint venture policies, among other things.

Scope of Company Secretary

• Assistance to the Board of Directors
• A company's or organization's hierarchy must have a Company Registrar, who plays a crucial role.
• Legal Advisor: A legal advisor may help the organization in the event of a legal dispute or issue. Additionally, legal advice ensures that the company complies with all administrative, regulatory, and company rules.
• Corporate Policymaker: A company policymaker is responsible for creating the short- and long-term company strategy for an organization. These policymakers also offer company management advice when new practices are subject to examination.
• Chief Administrative Officer: A chief administrative officer oversees a company's overall management duties.
• Principal Secretary: A principal secretary is responsible for managing all aspects of organizational gatherings, including board meetings, annual general meetings, and encounters with important clients and representatives from the private and public sectors.
• Corporate Planner: The company planner closely monitors the company's potential for expansion.
• Chairman
• Managing Director: Company secretaries provide administrative and professional direction on behalf of one of the board of directors of the company, according to the managing director.
• Administrative Secretary
• Investor Capital Market Relations
• Contents Coordinator
• Administrative Assistant

To pursue the CS course, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, usually requiring a higher secondary education or equivalent. Aspirants can also opt for CS Executive, Professional to enhance their knowledge and preparation. The CS exam, conducted at various levels, along with the CS tests, assesses their understanding and application of the course material. Becoming a company secretary opens doors to diverse career opportunities in the corporate world, making it an excellent professional choice for aspirants seeking a successful career path.