As a company secretary or chartered secretary, it would be your job to make sure that your company and its directors follow company law and financial regulations. If you have an organised approach to work, and would like a job dealing with business law and finance, this job could suit you.

Tasks:

• keeping records such as lists of directors and shareholders up to date
• sending company information to Companies House or to the Stock Exchange
• organising and taking minutes of annual general meetings and board meetings
• preparing annual company reports
• administering share option schemes and paying dividends
• keeping up to date with company law
• advising directors and board members about their legal responsibilities
• being the company’s named representative on legal documents
• dealing with other professionals like lawyers and auditors.

Key skills:

• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• good presentation and negotiation skills
• good organisational and time management skills
• an eye for detail
• a good understanding of business law and finance
• flexibility
• sound judgement
• problem-solving ability
• the ability to prioritise and manage a busy workload.

Average salary (2013):

United Kingdom:Starting salaries are usually around £35,000 a year.

Qualifications and training required:

To become a company secretary you will need to have lots of business experience. Many company secretaries also have a degree or professional qualifications in business, law, accountancy or public administration. Even with a degree or professional qualifications you will need to show that you also have relevant experience. Experience in the following areas could be useful:

• pensions
• personnel
• accounts
• credit control
• purchasing
• insurance
• office management.

To be the secretary of a public limited company, you must qualify with the ICSA, or be an accountant, solicitor or barrister. Taking ICSA examinations may also improve your chances of finding employment if you wish to become a company secretary of a private limited company.

Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme (CSQS). The CSQS is an open entry qualification, so you don’t need to have a degree to study it. It is made up of eight modules and the route you take through it will depend on your existing qualifications and experience. If you already have a related degree or are a law or finance professional you could be exempt from some modules.

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (CSQS). You could also gain GradICSA status and become a chartered secretary by completing a postgraduate qualification that is validated by ICSA.

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA validated postgraduate courses). You can study for ICSA courses part-time or by distance learning whilst you are working, or full-time at certain colleges and universities.

Source: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk