CAREER AS A COMPANY SECRETARY

1. CAREER AS A COMPANY SECRETARY

2. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

3. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) An Introduction ICSI is a premier national professional body constituted under an Act of Parliament (Company Secretaries Act, 1980). Functions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs ICSI has been set up to regulate and develop the profession of Company Secretaries ICSI has its Headquarters at New Delhi and 4 Regional Councils at Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai & New Delhi and 70 Chapters spread all over India ( including 1 overseas Chapter at Dubai).

4. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) ICSI-CCGRT is the Centre for Corporate Governance, Research and Training at Navi Mumbai The ICSI has on its rolls over 33,000 qualified members both in Employment & in practice. Over 3.6 lakh students are currently enrolled in the Company Secretaries Course. 

5. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) 115 Counsellors at various cities / remote areas to guide students regarding the course. Imparts education primarily through distance learning with an option of Oral Coaching Classes / E-Learning. ICSI conducts examination at 123 venues across the country and one overseas centre at Dubai.

6. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) The Institute- conducts Company Secretaries Examination twice a year in June and December arranges practical training for Executive/ Professional Programme pass Students with Companies / Practising Company Secretaries empanelled with the Institute for the purpose; enrolls qualified persons as Associate/ Fellow Members of the Institute and issues Certificate of Practice to Members taking up practice; conducts Post Membership Qualification Course (s) for Members of the Institute;

7. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) The Institute- publishes widely read and highly acclaimed monthly journal 'Chartered Secretary’; publishes 'Student Company Secretary’ and 'CS Foundation Course Bulletin’ for the benefit of Students; publishes online ‘CS Updates’ containing current notifications and circulars relating to various corporate and related laws generally twice a week;

8. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) The Institute- exercises professional supervision over the Members of the Institute both in practice and in employment in matters pertaining to Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct; undertakes research in Law, Management, Finance and Capital Market disciplines and brings out research publications; formulates Secretarial Standards and brings out Guidance Notes thereon;

9. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) The Institute- renders expert advisory services to Members on intricate issues relating to various corporate laws; organizes Professional Development and Continuing Education Programmes, International/National/Regional Conventions and Conferences directly or through its Regional Councils and Chapters, Chambers of Commerce, Department of Public Enterprises, Sister Professional Institutes and other Professional Development/ Management Bodies; interacts with various National and Regional Chambers of Commerce with regard to various Government Policies and Legislations;

10. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) The Institute- interacts with Members of Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) and Company Secretaries Institutes in other jurisdictions; interacts with OECD, World Bank, International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), Global Corporate Governance Forum (GCGF) etc. on matters relating to Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability; bestows ICSI National Award for Excellence inCorporate Governance to best governed Companies;

11. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) The Institute- bestows ICSI Lifetime Achievement Award upon eminent corporate personalities for translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into reality; conducts Investor Awareness Programmes throughout the country on behalf of the Investor Education & Protection Fund, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; undertakes Research Projects on behalf of Government and its Agencies / Institutions.

12. The Company Secretary Company Secretary is the vital link between the company, its: - Board of Directors, - Shareholders, - Government and other Agencies. An in-house Corporate expert; a compliance officer of the Company. An expert in corporate laws, securities laws & capital market and corporate governance

13. The Company Secretary Chief advisor to the board of directors on best practices in corporate governance Responsible for all regulatory compliances of company Corporate planner and strategic manager

14. Role of Company Secretary A Company Secretary being multi- disciplinary professional renders services in the following areas: Corporate Governance and Secretarial Services Corporate Governance Services Corporate Secretarial Services Secretarial / Compliance Audit and Certification Services

15. Role of Company Secretary Corporate Laws Advisory and Representation Services Corporate Laws Advisory Services Representation Services Arbitration & Conciliation Services Financial Market Services Public Issue, listing and Securities Management Takeover Code, Insider trading, Mergers & Amalgamation Securities Compliance and Certification Services

16. Role of Company Secretary Financial Market Services Finance & Accounting Services Taxation Services International Trade & WTO Services Management Services General/ Strategic Management Corporate Communication and Public Relations Human Resources Management Information Technology

17. Employment Prospects A QUALIFIED COMPANY SECRETARY HAS OPENINGS IN EMPLOYMENT AND AS PRACTISING INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL Company Secretary in Employment 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. All companies seeking listing on Stock Exchange are required to appoint a whole-time Company Secretary Membership of the Institute is recognized for appointment to superior posts and services under Central Government

18. Employment Prospects Company Secretary in Employment Membership of the Institute is one of the qualification for recruitment from Grade I to Grade IV in the Accounts branch of the Indian Company Law Service. 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 Company Secretaries qualification in key administrative position.

19. Self Employment (Practice) After obtaining a ‘Certificate of Practice’ from the Institute, Members of the Institute can go for Independent Practice. 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. 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.

20. Self Employment (Practice) Practising Company Secretaries have also been recognized to appear before various Tribunals such as Competition Commission, Company Law Board, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Consumer Forums, Tax Tribunals etc., The Reserve Bank of India has recognized the Practising Company Secretaries to undertake Diligence Report for Banks.

21. Company Secretaries (CS) Course

22. Company Secretaries CourseHIGHLIGHTS 10+2 pass or equivalent / Graduate can join No Entry Barrier – opportunity for every student Cost Effective Distance Learning 24x7 study through e-learning Flexibility in the schedules – Registration valid for 3 to 5 years. Excellent career opportunities for CS professional Position of Power and Prestige

23. CS Course USP Offers Self Employment  and Job Opportunities Direct Access to Top Management / Board Room Good remuneration and growth opportunities Good career option for girls also. Opportunities across various sectors at all locations. Opportunities Abroad – MOU with ICSA, London Opportunity to pursue B.Com with Major in Corporate Affairs and Administration and M.Com in Business Policy and Corporate Governance from IGNOU.

24. Stages of CS Course

25. Admission to CS Course Admission is Open Throughout the Year Examinations are held twice a year in June and December.

26. Registration to CS Course Cut- off dates for Registration: CS Foundation Programme: 31st March for December (same year) session 30th September for June (next year) session . CS Executive Programme: 28th February (Both Modules) & 31st May (Any One Module) in December (same year) session 31st August (Both Modules) & 30th November (Any One Module) in June (next year) session.

27. Registration to CS Course Validity of Registration: Foundation Programme : 3 Years Executive Programme : 5 Years (A student is required to complete the Executive and the Professional examination within the registration period.)

28. Fee Structure

29. Prospectus & Application Form

30. Online Registration of students through institute’s student portal www.icsi.edu Online Registration

31. Compulsory Computer Training 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.

32. CS Course Curriculum Foundation Programme ( 4 papers) Business Environment and Entrepreneurship Business Management, Ethics & Communication Business Economics Fundamentals Of Accounting & Auditing

33. CS Course Curriculum Executive Programme ( 7 papers) Module I Company Law Cost and Management Accounting Economic and Commercial Laws Tax Laws and Practice Module II Company Accounts and Auditing Practices Capital Markets and Securities Laws Industrial, Labour and General Laws

34. CS Course Curriculum Professional Programme ( 8 papers) Module I Company Secretarial Practice Drafting, Appearances and Pleadings Module II Financial, Treasury and Forex Management Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Module III Strategic Management, Alliances and International Trade Advance Tax Laws and Practices Module IV Due Diligence and Corporate Compliance Management Governance, Business Ethics and Sustainability

35. CS Course Curriculum Professional Program ( new syllabus – w.e.f. 1st September 2013 ) MODULE 1 1. Advanced Company Law and Practice 2. Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence 3. Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency MODULE 2 4. Information Technology and Systems Audit 5. Financial, Treasury and Forex Management 6. Ethics, Governance and Sustainability MODULE 3 7. Advanced Tax Laws and Practice 8. Drafting, Appearances and Pleadings 9. Electives 1 out of below 5 subjects 9.1. Banking Law and Practice 9.2. Capital, Commodity and Money Market 9.3. Insurance Law and Practice 9.4. Intellectual Property Rights - Law and Practice 9.5. International Business-Laws and Practices

36. 24x7 Study through E-Learning(http://elearning.icsi.edu) E-Learning Portal (http://elearning.icsi.edu/) is a joint initiative taken by Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and GurukulOnline Learning Solutions (GOLS) to provide quality education through Internet. E-learning portal is available for the Company Secretary Foundation Programme & Executive Programme and which will also be extended to Professional Programme in due course .

37. 24x7 Study through E-Learning(http://elearning.icsi.edu) Undergoing of e-learning is in addition and not in substitution to compulsory postal tuition. The online CS Course includes: Web Based Training (WBT) Video Based Training (VBT) Live Virtual Classroom (LVC)

38. Web Based Training (WBT) Quick quizzes & Mastery test Hyperlinks & Hot-Spots Live Chat and Discussion Board facility Exciting multimedia slides covering the entire study material.

39. Video Based Training (VBT) Quality Video Lectures Learn from expert faculties replicating classroom training experience Questions at regular intervals

40. Live Virtual Classroom (LVC) Live broadcast of lectures over the internet Interact Live with the faculty to remove your doubts / Queries on difficult lessons Conducted on specified date & time with playback facility

41. 24x7 Study through E-Learning(http://elearning.icsi.edu) Benefits: Global reach - Students through out the country including rural and semi-urban areas as well as from other countries can avail this facility 24x7 Hours on-line study facility continuous access to studies and guidance of faculties on-line. Learning and faculty support at any time as per the convenience of Students. Interactivity through Discussion Boards, Online Chat etc., Live interaction with the Faculty under Virtual classroom facility of e-learning portal

42. 24x7 Study through E-Learning(http://elearning.icsi.edu) Registration Process: An existing student of ICSI can register on this eLearning Portal by paying fees separately to ‘GurukulOnline Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd.’ Validity of the online course : One year from the date of ACTIVATION

43. Examination Examination is conducted twice a year in June and December Examination fee** Foundation Programme Rs.1200/- Executive Programme Rs.1200/- per Module Professional Programme Rs.1200/- per Module Last date for submission of application for appearing in the examination : 25th March (with late fee of Rs.250 till 9th April) 25th September (with late fee of Rs.250 till 10th October) ** SC/SC Students and Physically Handicapped Students are required to pay only 50% & 25% respectively of the Examination Fee applicable to general category candidates.

44. Examination Medium of Examination : English / Hindi Qualifying Marks : 40% marks in each paper and 50% marks in the aggregate of all subjects.

45. Training Requirements The students are required to undergo the following trainings: 7 days Student Induction Programme (SIP)- within six months of Registration to Executive Programme 8 days Executive Development Programme (EDP) - after Executive Programme 15 days Management Skills Orientation Programme (MSOP)- after Professional Programme. 25 hours of Professional Development Programme (PDP) 15 months training after passing the Executive Programme or Professional Programme

46. Training Requirements 3 months practical training. This training will be exempted to the students who have undergone 15 months training. 15 days training in a specialized agency such as Registrar of Companies (ROC) / Stock Exchange / Financial and Banking Institution The students can be exempted from undergoing training totally or partially depending on the practical experience possessed by them. A student after passing the Professional Programme may enroll as ‘Licentiate ICSI’ at his/her option until completion of training requirements.

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

48. Further Academic Pursuits The CS course is recognised by the various Universities for admission to Ph.D Course in Management / Commerce / Law. Utilisation of services of members by various professional/educational bodies for academic activities ICSI conducts Post Membership Qualification (PMQ) Course in Corporate Governance.

49. Placement The Headquarters and Regional Offices offer placement services to: Members Executive or Professional Passed students Placement assistance is also provided online on the Institute’s Website:www.icsi.edu Campus Interviews are conducted to assist the students for employment 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.

50. Pay Package 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. 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.