Company Secretary Job Description, Roles, Responsibilities, Skills & Career Scope

Explore the detailed company secretary job description. Here we describe the types of CS, skills, duties of CS, working environment, and challenges. Discover the article for more details.

A company secretary (CS) is among the essential managerial staff in an organization, particularly in sectors with high compliance requirements. Appointed by the Companies Act, a CS serves to critically ensure the company meets statutory and regulatory obligations. Usually referred to as a governance professional, a company secretary facilitates effective communication between the board of directors, the shareholders, regulators, and other stakeholders.

Who is the company secretary?

A company secretary is a qualified person who works as a compliance officer, corporate advisor, and government professional. They are members of ICSI and play an important role in ensuring that a company works within the structure of the Companies Act and other applicable rules. 

Their main function is to assist the board of directors with skilled governance practices, ensure timely regulatory filing, maintain statutory registers, and coordinate various legal and financial functions. A CS acts as a bridge between the board, management, stakeholders, and government officials.

Roles and Responsibilities of Company Secretaries

The roles and responsibilities of a company secretary are diverse, including a mixture of legal, administrative, and governance duties. They serve as lynchpins to ensure the smooth operation of the board and comply with legal and statutory requirements. Here are the major aspects of the job details of the company secretary in India:

  • Board Meeting Management: Scheduling, preparing the agenda, and making board meetings systematic and convenient. Ensure that board processes are strictly followed. 
  • Compliance Oversight: Oversee the company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This includes updating and managing statutory books, such as the register of members, directors, and secretaries. 
  • Corporate Governance: Advise the board on governance matters, helping to ensure that the company follows the highest standards of corporate administration. 
  • Communication with shareholders: Shareholders should manage relationships and communications, including preparing annual reports and organizing the company's annual general meeting (AGM). 
  • Record keeping: Maintaining essential company documents such as a certificate of incorporation, legal documents, statutory registers, and meeting minutes. 
  • Policy Management: To ensure that they follow legal standards and update the company's policies to reflect the company's objectives. 
  • Financial reporting: assisting financial reporting and auditing processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with corporate financial policies.

Types of Company Secretaries

The company's secretaries (CS) have different roles in different areas. Secretaries can pursue corporate administration, legal compliance, and strategic management roles in industries such as finance, manufacturing, services, and government agencies. Let's take a look at the type of company secretary required for the company:

  • Private Secretary
  • Secretary for the Government Department
  • Embassy Secretary

Skills Required to Become a Company Secretary

Here are the major skills required for a company secretary: 

  • Legal Skills: A strong understanding of corporate law and the regulatory framework is fundamental. The secretaries of the company should explain and implement legal provisions to meet the statutory requirements of the organization. 
  • Corporate Administration expertise: The company secretary plays an important role in promoting good corporate administration. They should have a deep understanding of the moral practices of governance principles and transparency, and the ability to enhance accountability policies. 
  • Integrity and Vivek: The company's secretaries should maintain the highest standards of integrity and discretion in view of access to sensitive information. They are important in maintaining privacy and handling confidential cases with extreme care. 
  • Analytical thinking: Analytical skills are important to explain legal provisions, assess risks, and provide strategic advice. The secretaries of the company should be adept at analyzing complex legal and regulatory issues and proposing effective solutions.
  • Intrapersonal Skills: The company secretary interacts with members, officers, and external stakeholders of the board. Strong mutual skills facilitate effective collaboration and communication, contributing to a positive corporate culture.

Duties of the Company Secretary as per the Rule 10 Act

According to Rule 10 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) under the Rules, 2014, Companies Act, 2013, the duties of a company secretary are clearly defined and legally binding. These duties include:

  • Reporting to the board about compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act, rules of rules, and other applicable laws. 
  • To ensure that the company complies with the secretarial standards issued by ICSI.
  • To guide directors about their duties, responsibilities, and powers. 
  • The convenience of boards, committees, and general meetings facilitates and maintains the appropriate records of minutes. 
  • Helping the board in operating the matters of the company as per corporate administration requirements. 
  • Representing the company before various regulators and officials under the applicable laws. 
  • To discharge other duties prescribed under the Act or other laws. 

These duties form the role of the company secretary as an important compliance officer and ensure accountability at the board level.

Work Environment and Challenges for a Company Secretary

The work environment for a company secretary is mainly office-based, including legal, finance, and high coordination with senior management teams. The job meetings may also include participating in meetings, preparing legal documents, and contacting government bodies. 

However, the role may be sought due to continuous changes in corporate laws, pressure to complete the deadline, and the responsibility of ensuring legal compliance. A small error can cause heavy punishment or reputation loss for the company, which is why CS professionals should be updated and alert.

How to Become a Company Secretary?

Becoming a company secretary is a great fit for someone with knowledge of law, business rules, and organization. While working with senior managers, you will need to be detail-oriented, reliable, and confident. Here's how to start: 

  • Education: Most people start with degrees in business, law, or commerce. Choose a course that involves topics such as company law, governance, finance, accounting, and management. 
  • Experience: It is important to get real-world experience. Try junior roles in internships, part-time jobs, or companies or legal firms to understand how the corporate environment works. 
  • Professional Qualification: To become a fully qualified company secretary, you will need a recognized professional qualification. In many countries, this can be done through institutions such as the Chartered Governance Institute. 
  • Keep learning: Law and business practices often change. Participate in workshops, seminars, and training to stay up-to-date and improve your knowledge. 
  • Build soft skills: Good communication and people skills are the same as analytical thinking and technical knowledge. Practice these skills through real experience and training to grow in your role.

Career Scope and Job Opportunities

The secretaries of the company have a wide range of career opportunities in industries such as: 

  • Listed and unlisted corporate companies 
  • Legal firm and counseling firm 
  • Financial institutions and banks 
  • Government organizations and PSU
  • Start-ups and private companies 

Many company secretaries also practice independently, providing compliance, certification, and advisory services to many customers. With experience, they may go to senior positions such as CFOs, legal heads, or even managing directors in some organizations. 

Globally, Indian CS professionals also get opportunities in courts that recognize Indian corporate qualifications, such as Singapore, UK, UAE, and others.

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FAQs

What are the duties of a company secretary?

A company revolves around ensuring legal and regulatory compliance in the duties of a secretary, providing government assistance to the board, and managing administrative functions within a company. They serve as an important link among the company, its boards, shareholders, and other stakeholders.

What is the working of CS?

A company secretary (CS) is a major managerial personnel in a company who is primarily responsible for ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. They act as a legal expert and compliance officer, advising the board of directors on corporate governance best practices and managing the company's regulatory affairs.

What skills does a company secretary need?

A company secretary (CS) requires a diverse set of skills to effectively manage their responsibilities, including strong communication, organizational, and legal knowledge. They should be proficient in handling many tasks, managing time effectively, and ensuring compliance with rules. In addition, strong mutual skills, attention to expansion, and analytical abilities are important for success in this role.

What is the scope of CS?

There is a very broad scope in the field of computer science (CS), including a wide range of areas ranging from fundamental principles to state-of-the-art applications. This includes software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and more. The nature of technology sometimes developed means that new opportunities and expertise are continuously emerging within the CS, making it a dynamic and high-demand area.

What is the salary of a CS?

The salary experience of a company secretary (CS) in India varies greatly depending on the size and type of the company. Generally, a fresher CS can expect to earn between ₹ 3.5 to ₹ 6 lakh per year, while people with 5–10 years of experience can earn ₹ 12 to ₹ 20 lakh per year. Senior-level CS can earn 20 lakhs and above per year.

Can a company secretary become a CEO?

Yes, a company secretary can become a CEO, although it usually requires more than just a CS qualification. The role of a company secretary provides a strong foundation in corporate administration, compliance, and commercial operations, which may be valuable assets in a CEO position.

Is CS a good career?

Yes, CS is a good career option. A certified CS may be included in finance, accounts, and auditing firms that provide services to large organizations and multinational companies, or they can begin personal exercises.

What is the qualification for CS?

The Company Secretary (CS) in India is passing its equivalent in the Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) or any stream (except fine arts) to carry forward the syllabus. In any discipline, graduates can directly enroll in the executive program, bypassing the foundation program.

Is the CS exam tough?

Yes, the CS (Company Secretary) Exam is usually considered a difficult and challenging professional course. It is known for its high difficulty level, comprehensive course, and low pass rates. However, with proper preparation and dedication, it is obtainable.

Can I do CS without coaching?

Yes, it is certainly possible to pass the secretary (CS) examinations of the company without coaching, but it requires a disciplined approach, effective self-study strategies, and access to quality resources.