How to qualify as a Company Secretary

Lorraine_ie

Hi all I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to become a Company Secretary? I have a Dip in Legal Studies and have a good few years experience in the legal industry.

I had a look at the ICSA website but it is not very clear to me exactly what it is I need to do. Is there some standard course you do prior to sitting the exams ?

Any help at all would be appreciated !

Thanks

Delancey

TBH the best thing is ask the ICSA , years ago I knew someone who was studying for the qualification but doubtless it has changed since then.

Jetset

Hi!

I just finished the ICSA exams (thank god!)!

The best thing to do is to email student support in the ICSA for details. I applied through my job so it was easy enough for me but I'm sure the lady internally dealing with it had more to do!

In relation to actually getting the qualification, it's pretty much self taught. The books are very user friendly and the online past exams section is very good. One thing to bare in mind is that it is a UK based exam and so it can be confusing when you are used to Irish law.

I know there is a committee for the Irish section of ICSA who used to run grinds but I think due to low numbers they aren't doing them currently. The ICSA themselves are also promoting some online learning provider but I didn't use this and heard the cost is quite high.

In terms of exams the syllabus changed recently and so it's now based on approx 8 exams rather than the old four. Depending on what qualification you have the number of exams your obliged to sit decreases. I'm pretty sure if you email the ISCA with your course and where you did it they can give you a direct answer on what you will have to sit.

The exams are tough but the qualifications is definitely worthwhile and even better that its worldwide.

Best of luck!!

lm_102

Jetset wrote: »

Hi!

I just finished the ICSA exams (thank god!)!

The best thing to do is to email student support in the ICSA for details. I applied through my job so it was easy enough for me but I'm sure the lady internally dealing with it had more to do!

In relation to actually getting the qualification, it's pretty much self taught. The books are very user friendly and the online past exams section is very good. One thing to bare in mind is that it is a UK based exam and so it can be confusing when you are used to Irish law.

I know there is a committee for the Irish section of ICSA who used to run grinds but I think due to low numbers they aren't doing them currently. The ICSA themselves are also promoting some online learning provider but I didn't use this and heard the cost is quite high.

In terms of exams the syllabus changed recently and so it's now based on approx 8 exams rather than the old four. Depending on what qualification you have the number of exams your obliged to sit decreases. I'm pretty sure if you email the ISCA with your course and where you did it they can give you a direct answer on what you will have to sit.

The exams are tough but the qualifications is definitely worthwhile and even better that its worldwide.

Best of luck!!

Hi Jetset,
I am also thinking of doing the company secretary exams. Did you have any exemptions yourself and how long did the exams take you start to finish? Do you think they are doable while working full time? Sorry about all the questions!

Thank you!

amen

You do realise that there is no legal requirement to be a company secretary ?
Anyone can irrespective of training/background can be appointed to be company secretary.

Jetset

Hi there

Hope this helps...

Did you have any exemptions yourself?

As I said I did the exams under the old scheme - I have a honours degree in Economics, Politics and Law, which was a level 8 and I had to do four exams rather than 8. I think 8 would be for someone without a degree or for a degree with nothing to do with law. Under the new system I couldn't say 100% but I think I would have to 6 rather than 8 but again if you contact the ISCA they should be able to tell you without too much hassle.

How long did the exams take you start to finish? Do you think they are doable while working full time?

My trainee contract entailed doing the exams. The exams can be sat in June and November but the job dictates that we sit 2 in June and 2 the following June, any repeats can then be taken in November. I personally don't think a person could do any more than two exams in one sitting so that said you could do 2 each June or 1 each sitting i.e. Jun/Nov so it shouldn't take you more than 1-2 years!

I worked full term whilst studying for the exams and passed them each time. We get four study leave days per exam so for each sitting I had about 2 weeks previous off work. I do know however that the pass rates where bad at the last sitting so that could be something to consider.
After you complete the exams you are considered a "Grad ICSA" - Then after you get three years experience you can apply to be a fellow - you then have the accrediation "FCIS". After that I think the next step is to be an associate but that takes like 10-20 years experience.

Hope that helps!

And re the legal requirement - thats correct however nowadays more companies are more mindful of their legal responsibilities and so are looking to employ people with the qualifications to ensure they meet all legal responsibilities. To make it clearer there are two main streams for co sec work:-

1. Work in a co sec company or in a co sec dept of a big firm. Companies then either appoint the company to be their company secretary or engages them but has an in-house employee appointed as company secretary. We do all the work and he just signs the forms where told etc.

2. Be individually hired and appointed as a company secretary - generally this is in PLC companies and I guess for many it would be the aim when becoming co secs! I don't know of a PLC who would hire a cosec without the qualification. And if they do they probably are just a figurehead (person to sign the forms) & an outside firm is doing the work.

Obviously I'm sure there are exceptions to that!

ramblingcelt

This may be of Interest.

http://www.business.ulster.ac.uk/courses/icsadublin/

Very high pass rate and part-time. Can qualify in 20 months.

lm_102

Jetset wrote: »

Hi there
How long did the exams take you start to finish? Do you think they are doable while working full time?

My trainee contract entailed doing the exams. The exams can be sat in June and November but the job dictates that we sit 2 in June and 2 the following June, any repeats can then be taken in November. I personally don't think a person could do any more than two exams in one sitting so that said you could do 2 each June or 1 each sitting i.e. Jun/Nov so it shouldn't take you more than 1-2 years!

I worked full term whilst studying for the exams and passed them each time. We get four study leave days per exam so for each sitting I had about 2 weeks previous off work. I do know however that the pass rates where bad at the last sitting so that could be something to consider.
After you complete the exams you are considered a "Grad ICSA" - Then after you get three years experience you can apply to be a fellow - you then have the accrediation "FCIS". After that I think the next step is to be an associate but that takes like 10-20 years experience.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for your reply, I am thinking of starting the exam study for Financial Reporting and Analysis and Corporate Governance at the end of this month and to take the exams on 27 and 29 November next. I will be working full time so studying in the evening and at weekends. Do you think it would be doable, or from your own experience do you need say 12 weeks to study before the exams like with University modules eg September - December and exam at December.

I would appreciate your thoughts!

CavanGal

Hi all

How much do the exams cost each? I can't access the website at the moment for some reason. I have a law degree so if memory serves, I think I only have to do 6.

Thanks

ibarelycare

Hi, sorry for bumping an old thread but this is the most recent one I could find on it and wondered if anyone could help.

I did the ICSA Certificate in Irish Company Secretarial Practice and Share Register Practice. I want to go on to do the full CSQS qualification but am concerned because it's based on UK company law so am wondering what's the point if I'm going to be based in Ireland? Especially with the new Companies Act coming in next year. There's no where else offering this qualification and it's a huge commitment, I'm just wondering are there any other Irish people who have done this course or are studying this course who can offer any perspective?

number13

ibarelycare wrote: »

Hi, sorry for bumping an old thread but this is the most recent one I could find on it and wondered if anyone could help.

I did the ICSA Certificate in Irish Company Secretarial Practice and Share Register Practice. I want to go on to do the full CSQS qualification but am concerned because it's based on UK company law so am wondering what's the point if I'm going to be based in Ireland? Especially with the new Companies Act coming in next year. There's no where else offering this qualification and it's a huge commitment, I'm just wondering are there any other Irish people who have done this course or are studying this course who can offer any perspective?

I'm also interested in these exams . Just looking at msc in management and corporate governance in university of ulster which also qualifies you. Just wondering about job prospects doing the exams yourself compared to the masters

twisha

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendation on which course out of the following two is worth and is beneficial in getting a good job offer.

I have a Bachelors degree in Finance and Company Secretary degree from India.

1. CSQS from ICSA.
2. MSc in Management and Corporate Governance from University of Ulster (part time form Dublin).

Would appreciate your thoughts.

number13

twisha wrote: »

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendation on which course out of the following two is worth and is beneficial in getting a good job offer.

I have a Bachelors degree in Finance and Company Secretary degree from India.

1. CSQS from ICSA.
2. MSc in Management and Corporate Governance from University of Ulster (part time form Dublin).

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Any thoughts ?

twisha

number13 wrote: »

Any thoughts ?

I mean any help would be appreciated.....

capefear

MSc in Management and Corporate Governance from University of Ulster (part time form Dublin).

If anyone thinking of doing the above course it starts in Dublin next weds the 10th

statss

amen wrote: »

You do realise that there is no legal requirement to be a company secretary ?
Anyone can irrespective of training/background can be appointed to be company secretary.

This is correct. I've recently been appointed as a company secretary as an add on to my existing role - I haven't done the exams.

twisha

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me how do we get our educational marksheets certified in order to register for CSQS exams?

Appreciate help.

Thanks in advance.