Company Secretary ICSA - The Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators

Job description

The specific responsibilities of a company secretary vary depending upon the level of the job role, the size of the organisation and the sector in which it operates. However, responsibilities may include:

• advising the board on effective decision-making, legal and regulatory matters and risk management;
• developing and managing strategies to ensure compliance with legal and statutory requirements and identifying areas for improved corporate governance;
• managing board, shareholder and trustee communications, reports and meetings and liaising with auditors, lawyers and tax advisors;
• leading on issues essential to business performance, such as negotiation of contracts, finance, accounting, insurance and property;
• interpreting and advising on financial reporting; and
• implementing changes in relevant legislation.

Person requirements

The specific responsibilities of a company secretary vary depending upon the level of the job role, the size of the organisation and the sector in which it operates. However, responsibilities may include:

• advising the board on effective decision-making, legal and regulatory matters and risk management;
• developing and managing strategies to ensure compliance with legal and statutory requirements and identifying areas for improved corporate governance;
• managing board, shareholder and trustee communications, reports and meetings and liaising with auditors, lawyers and tax advisors;
• leading on issues essential to business performance, such as negotiation of contracts, finance, accounting, insurance and property;
• interpreting and advising on financial reporting; and
• implementing changes in relevant legislation.

Company information

ICSA is the international qualifying and Membership body for company secretaries and a leading authority on corporate governance. With a global community of 37,000 Members, ICSA publish guidance notes and best practice guides and through its subsidiaries provides events, information and training, boardroom performance evaluation and dedicated software.

Qualification and experience requirements

Anyone can register for the scheme and those with certain qualifications in law or accountancy may be exempt from some modules and can fast-track through the scheme. Please visit the website for further information regarding exemptions.

Accepted degree subjects

Any

How to apply

Salaries vary greatly depending on job role and organisation type. As a guide, a fully qualified company secretary working in the private sector earns anything between £42,000 and £180,000* on average with top company secretaries for a FTSE 100 company earning up to £305,600 basic.
*Information taken from Chambers and Partners Salary Survey 2010–2011