Company Secretary – An Overview of the Course

Company Secretary Program is one of the most sought after courses present. It consists of three stages and they are:

•    Foundation Program

•    Executive Program

•    Professional Program

After these three stages, a final examination is required to be passed. In fact, after the examination is passed, the candidate needs to go through a practical training session. 

Now, let us go through the different stages in brief:

1.    Foundation Program

The minimum time period required for completing the course is eight months only. This period is considered between two dates, the one starting from the date of admission and the completing on the date of exam. The maximum time period is three years. A candidate needs to pass 10+2 examination or equivalent to get admission. If you want to register with the program, you can do it throughout the year.

In the month of June and December the exams are conducted. In case you want to give examination in the month of June of any year, you have to get registered in the month of September of the previous year. Some of the subjects are FCEBC (English and Business Communication), FERBAM (Elements of Business Laws and Management), FCFA (Financial Accounting), and Economics and Statistics.

2.    Executive Program

You can get enrolled in this program if you are at least 17 years. This program can be done along with post graduation or graduation. A person who has done ICAI or ICWAI can start from this program itself. He or she will not be required to pursue Foundation Program.  This program was earlier known by the name Intermediate Program. There are two modules that are needed to be studied and the subjects for study are Tax Laws;  Economic, Labour Laws; General and Commercial Laws; Securities Laws and Compliances; Company Accounts and Cost & Management Accounting and Company Law.

3.    Final Program

This program is the final step. There are four modules, comprising of various subjects such as Drafting, Appearances and Pleadings, Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency, Advanced Tax Laws and Practice, Governance, Business Ethics and Sustainability, Strategic Management, Alliances and International Trade, Company Secretarial Practice, Due Diligence and Corporate Compliance Management and Financial, Treasury and Forex Management.

If you want to become a Company secretary, you have to pass all three stages given above along with the final examination and practical training, thereafter.