545:
based on a combination of degree-level studies, carefully vetted experience and sponsorship by two people of professional status. Only a person thus qualified is entitled to be designated a 'Chartered
Secretary' or 'Chartered Company Secretary'. The Faculty of Secretaries and Administrators founded in 1930 is the second body of corporate secretaries in the United Kingdom and now has a strong emphasis on equality work and governance and its members are designated 'corporate secretaries' or 'certified public secretaries'. It is expected that company secretaries of publicly quoted companies will be professionally qualified through CGI, one of the chartered professional bodies in the accountancy profession, or have appropriate training and experience through another body.
590:
The role of the corporate secretary has become increasingly crucial among publicly traded companies in North
America, with a growing emphasis on providing guidance on corporate governance matters. Sound corporate governance is deemed essential for both board and company performance, especially in the
134:
is a senior position in the corporate governance of organizations, playing a crucial role in ensuring adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements. This position is integral to the efficient functioning of corporations, particularly in common law jurisdictions. The
Company Secretary serves as a
325:
In
Malaysia, the Companies Act 2016 requires that every company to appoint at least one secretary. The secretary has to be appointed within the first 30 days after incorporation or a penalty is imposed on the Directors, running into a risk of being blacklisted. The responsibilities of the secretary
153:
Company secretaries in all sectors have high level responsibilities including governance structures and mechanisms, corporate conduct within an organisation's regulatory environment, board, shareholder and trustee meetings, compliance with legal, regulatory and listing requirements, the training and
373:
In
Singapore, The Companies Act, Section 171 requires that every business has a Company Secretary that must reside in Singapore. The Secretary has to be appointed within the first 6 months after incorporation. If the company has only one director, he or she cannot be the Corporate Secretary. The
544:
In the UK, the company secretary may be qualified by virtue of examination and membership of The
Chartered Governance Institute (CGI), which is the main qualification specifically for company secretaries. CGI is the body dedicated to the advancement and recognition of professional administration
461:
state otherwise. If a private company doesn't have a company secretary then the company’s secretarial duties and responsibilities fall upon the directors of the company. With the increase in the number of social enterprises and community interest companies there is often a demand for a company
190:
directors, maintaining company records and shareholders information, dealing with information disclosure etc. Relevant listing rules in China further clarify that the secretary of the Board is a managerial position. Such listing rules discuss duties of board secretary in details. According to "
189:
In China, every listed company is required to have a board secretary. According to article 124 of 2005 Company Law, every listed company is required to have a secretary to the board of directors. The responsibilities of board secretary include preparing meetings of shareholders and boards of
220:
Chartered
Secretaries are employed as chairs, chief executives and non-executive directors, as well as executives and company secretaries. Some chartered secretaries are also known in their own companies as corporate secretarial executives/managers or corporate secretarial directors.
591:
eyes of shareholders, particularly institutional investors. In certain corporations, the corporate secretary's function as a corporate governance adviser has been formalized, often reflected in a revised title such as Chief
Governance Officer added to their existing designation.
232:
The company secretary of a private limited company must have "the skills or resources necessary to discharge his or her statutory and other duties" while that of a public limited company must meet two out of the three following criteria before appointment:
169:
Company secretaries are the primary source of advice on the conduct of business and this can span everything from legal advice on conflicts of interest, through accounting advice on financial reports, to the development of strategy and corporate planning.
429:
requires that each registered company has a company secretary. A company secretary is required to be registered with the
Department of Registrar of Companies, to function as a company secretary. Eligibility to function as a secretary are;
198:
the secretary of the Board is classified as the senior management team. From those listing rules, the board secretary, or the secretary of the board of directors, in China is comparable as the company secretary in many other countries.
417:. In addition, non-profit companies that have voluntarily adopted the "Enhanced Accountability and Transparency" provisions of the Companies Act must appoint a company secretary whose role is comparable to that of a public company.
468:
The exact responsibilities of the company secretary depend on the size and nature of the company and there is no statutory definition of what these are, but it generally includes some or all of the following:
330:
Preparing board meetings and the Annual
General Meeting (AGM) - As of year 2016 under the revised Companies Act, AGM is no longer necessary for Private Limited Companies (Sendirian Berhad or Sdn Bhd)
145:
In many countries, private companies are required by law to appoint one person as a company secretary, and this person will either be a senior board member or a member of the senior management team.
859:
272:
Supplying a copy of the company’s financial statements to every member of the company, every debenture holder and every person who is entitled to receive notice of general meetings
462:
secretary in the voluntary and community sectors as well as ordinary private trading companies. A public company in the UK must still have a formally appointed company secretary.
154:
induction of non-executives and trustees, contact with regulatory and external bodies, reports and circulars to shareholders/trustees, management of employee benefits such as
605:. While this can be helpful in the execution of their duties it can also create ambiguity as to what is legal advice, protected by privilege, and what is business advice.
142:. The company secretary ensures that an organisation complies with relevant legislation and regulation, and keeps board members informed of their legal responsibilities.
244:
appear to the directors of the PLC to be capable of discharging the required duties, by virtue of holding or having held another position, or membership of another body.
465:
Chartered Secretaries are the sixth highest paid employees in the UK according to the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (March 2010).
365:, section 235 (2), a company secretary must also hold a current practising certificate issued by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia).
743:
353:, section 235 (2) may be appointed a company secretary. The only professional body in Malaysia that awards the Chartered Secretary (FCIS/ACIS) qualification is the
553:
The role of the corporate secretary is governed by state corporation law in the United States and is commonly, but not exclusively, responsible for the following:
704:
691:
241:
be a member of a professional body recognised for such purposes by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (such as the Chartered Governance Institute)
358:
196:
Guidance for the Articles of Listed Company", "Stock Listing Rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange" and "Stock Listing Rules of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange",
863:
135:
guardian of compliance, a facilitator of communication between the board of directors and other stakeholders, and a custodian of corporate records.
238:
For at least 3 years of the 5 years immediately preceding his / her appointment as secretary, the person held the office of secretary of a company.
179:
91:
598:
and large companies require the company secretary to be suitably trained, experienced and professionally qualified for these responsibilities.
448:
Applicants with over 20 years experience in the company secretaries field may be appointed after an interview with the Registrar of Companies.
382:
393:
Filing updates with ACRA on matters such as changes of company name or address, issue of shares, changes in directors, shareholders, etc.
457:
Since 8 April 2008 there has been no legal requirement for a private company in the UK to have a company secretary unless the company's
345:
Filing updates with SSM on matters such as changes of company name or address, issue of shares, changes in directors, shareholders, etc.
229:
All companies registered under the Companies Act 2014 are required to appoint a company secretary, who may also be a company director.
765:
208:
96:
249:
Although the Company Secretary is an officer of the company, the Companies Acts do not expressly state the duties of a secretary.
317:
The status of "Chartered Secretary" is reserved for qualifing members of the Irish branch of the Chartered Governance Institute.
264:
414:
192:
Special Provisions of the State Council Concerning the Flotation and Listing Abroad of Stocks by Limited Stock Companies
514:
managing and storing the company's records, e.g. re investments, property, payroll, insurance, accounting, taxation (
309:
acts as principal administration officer, liaising with staff, customers, suppliers, media and the board of directors
723:
334:
213:
In India, "The Institute of Company Secretaries of India" (ICSI) regulates the profession of company secretaries .
601:
Many corporate secretaries of North American public companies are lawyers and some serve as their corporation's
85:
303:
has responsibility to ensure that the company complies with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements
712:. Kuala Lumpur: Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad, Printer to the Government of Malaysia. pp. 243–244.
409:
must appoint a company secretary. The roles and responsibilities of the company secretary are defined in the
962:
292:
The following non-statutory duties are commonly, but not exclusively, undertaken by the Company Secretary:
908:
957:
252:
The following statutory duties are commonly, but not exclusively, undertaken by the Company Secretary:
842:
922:
530:
458:
397:
For public companies, the Secretary must be a registered filing agent or a qualified individual.
287:
Ensuring that particulars relating to directors are shown on all business letters of the company.
595:
502:
406:
159:
297:
provides comprehensive legal and administrative support and guidance to the board of directors
494:
advising the board of directors on their legal and corporate responsibilities and matters of
300:
ensures that the board’s decisions and instructions are properly carried out and communicated
817:
791:
621:
495:
442:
269:
Delivering to the Companies Registration Office copies of resolutions passed by the company
275:
Keeping or arranging for the keeping of minutes of directors’ meeting and general meetings
8:
166:, property administration and organisation and the interpretation of financial accounts.
488:
312:
executes important documentation on behalf of the company, together with a director.
114:
912:
602:
523:
481:
438:
163:
119:
413:. For publicly listed companies, these roles were clarified and expanded by the
445:
or any person demanded have followed a program of study by the Subject Minister
217:
is a statutory professional body which has more than 65,000 associate members.
951:
534:
162:, insurance administration and organisation, the negotiation of contracts,
899:
942:
766:"SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW COMPANIES ACT: Key features for non-profit companies"
932:
731:(in Malay and English). Attorney General's Chambers. 2019. pp. 8–9.
594:
In view of the important roles the company secretary plays in business,
306:
has responsibility for communication with the shareholders when required
284:
Ensuring that company complies with its obligation to publish its name
361:, United Kingdom. In addition to the qualifications specified in the
263:
Ensuring that statutory forms are completed and filed on time in the
139:
900:
The Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals
725:
Companies (Practising Certificate for Secretaries) Regulations 2019
374:
responsibilities of the Corporate Secretary include the following:
278:
Ensuring that those entitled to do so may inspect company records
155:
702:
576:
Securities Market Listings and Compliance with Listing Standards
355:
Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
928:
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK
905:
564:
Annual Meeting of Shareholders including the Proxy Statement
354:
917:
519:
937:
927:
894:
515:
349:
Only an individual who satisfies the requirement in the
888:
860:"The Corporate Secretary - Duties and Responsibilities"
741:
378:
Preparing board meetings and the Annual General Meeting
632:
257:
Maintaining the statutory registers and minute books
511:
ensuring company compliance with legal obligations;
772:. South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
933:The Faculty of Secretaries and Administrators, UK
843:Roles and Responsibilities of a company secretary
579:Compliance with Federal and State Governance Laws
949:
918:The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries
180:Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh
92:Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh
895:Corporate Secretaries International Association
938:Institute of Corporate secretaries of Pakistan
477:maintaining the company's statutory registers;
138:Despite the name, the role is not clerical or
923:The Institute of Company Secretaries Of India
582:Governance Liaison for Officers and Directors
148:
501:organizing the company’s board meetings and
585:Shareholder Engagement on Governance Issues
548:
889:Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries
854:
852:
850:
703:Companies Commission of Malaysia (2016).
633:Institute of Company Secretaries of India
209:Institute of Company Secretaries of India
97:Institute of Company Secretaries of India
950:
847:
763:
387:Amendments to the company Constitution
339:Amendments to the company Constitution
224:
615:
357:(MAICSA), which is a division of the
687:
685:
529:liaison between the company and its
38:Company Secretary (UK/Ireland/India)
744:"The role of the Company Secretary"
281:Custody and use of the company seal
13:
14:
974:
943:Governance Institute of Australia
882:
818:"Section 271, Companies Act 2006"
792:"Section 270, Companies Act 2006"
682:
643:Section 129(4) Companies Act 2014
452:
44:Secretary (Australia/New Zealand)
764:Naidoo, Melanie (21 June 2012).
405:In South Africa, all public and
41:Corporate Secretary (USA/Canada)
836:
810:
784:
757:
735:
716:
652:Section 1112 Companies Act 2014
400:
390:Maintaining statutory registers
342:Maintaining statutory documents
696:
692:Companies Act 2016 of Malaysia
673:
670:Section 338 Companies Act 2014
664:
661:Section 216 Companies Act 2014
655:
646:
637:
626:
359:Chartered Governance Institute
86:Chartered Governance Institute
1:
742:Moore Stephens South Africa.
679:Section 49 Companies Act 2014
608:
573:Stock Transfers and Dividends
480:updating the records held by
427:Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007
265:Companies Registration Office
260:Convening meetings of members
173:
57:Corporate Officer, Profession
906:Chartered Secretaries Canada
622:What is a Company Secretary?
558:Board and Committee Meetings
420:
411:Companies Act, No 71 of 2008
368:
7:
320:
10:
979:
487:maintaining the company's
206:
177:
149:Roles and responsibilities
16:Senior managerial position
381:Filing Annual returns to
333:Filing Annual returns to
105:
76:
71:
61:
51:
31:
26:
549:United States of America
508:minuting board meetings;
202:
184:
459:articles of association
326:include the following:
824:. HM Stationery Office
798:. HM Stationery Office
503:annual general meeting
160:employee share schemes
570:Subsidiary Management
496:corporate governance
443:Chartered Accountant
335:SSM (CCM in English)
963:Company secretaries
911:18 May 2008 at the
561:Minutes of Meetings
407:state-owned company
225:Republic of Ireland
23:
822:Legislation.gov.uk
796:Legislation.gov.uk
706:Companies Act 2016
434:Sri Lankan citizen
425:In Sri Lanka, the
363:Companies Act 2016
351:Companies Act 2016
78:Education required
21:
958:Legal professions
567:Corporate Records
489:registered office
132:Company secretary
128:
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22:Company Secretary
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115:Company Director
63:Activity sectors
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913:Wayback Machine
902:(North America)
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88:(International)
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53:Occupation type
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868:. Retrieved
864:the original
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107:Related jobs
18:
140:secretarial
72:Description
67:All sectors
952:Categories
870:6 November
609:References
174:Bangladesh
27:Occupation
776:29 August
749:29 August
421:Sri Lanka
369:Singapore
909:Archived
891:(Canada)
321:Malaysia
156:pensions
828:21 June
802:21 June
526:); and
729:(PDF)
710:(PDF)
203:India
185:China
32:Names
872:2011
830:2024
804:2024
778:2017
751:2017
596:PLCs
533:and
520:PAYE
441:, a
383:ACRA
215:ICSI
194:", "
158:and
516:VAT
437:An
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