What is the current study module of CS and what new initiative do you intend to introduce in the current module of study?
Self study is the mantra for a CS aspirant besides planned timetable and focus on all topics according to one’s strengths.
Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) offers a three-level course to be started after Class 12th . Class 12th pass students need to clear 3 levels of examinations along with around 15 months of training, on completion of which they become eligible to be enrolled as an Associate member of the Institute and designated as Associate Company Secretary (ACS). A person is entitled to get himself enrolled as a Fellow, if he is an Associate Member for at least five years and fulfils the conditions as stipulated in Regulation 4(2) of the Company Secretaries Regulations,1982.
The major initiatives for students are complete switchover to Online Registration from 1st January 2014, Computer Based Examination for CS Foundation Programme wef June 2014, and introduction of Open Book Examination (OBE) In Elective Subjects (Paper – 9) in Module-III of Professional Programme (New Syllabus) Examination from June, 2014 onwards.
The initiatives for the students that ere currently in progress are development of Videos on soft skills, MCQs for Computer Based foundation Examination and MCQ based examination for three papers of executive programme, Student Company Secretary/ Foundation Bulletin in Electronic Mode, Revision of Study material in the light of Companies Act, 2013, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) - Video Library for Courseware.
The initiatives taken for students last year introduction of new syllabus for professional program, launch of Corporate Compliance Executive Certificate (CCE) Program, launch of E-library for the students at nominal charges, two batches of Certificate Course on Valuation organised at ICSI-NIRC, New Delhi and one batch at ICSI-CCGRT at Navi Mumbai, PMQ Course in Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency started, and booklets on Guide to CS Students /Public speaking.
What does the new law related to Company’s act mention?
The crucial role that a CS plays in a company can be gauged by the fact that the Companies Act, 2013 recognises Company Secretaries as a “Key Managerial Personnel” along with the Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director / Manager, whole-time director and Chief Financial Officer (section 203). Being Key Managerial Personnel, Company Secretary is required to be mandatorily appointed in every company belonging to such class or classes of companies as may be prescribed.
Also their duties under the Companies Act, 2013 have been substantially enhanced and they are required to advise the Board of Director on adoption of good governance practices in the Company on the role and responsibility of Directors. They are also recognized as the Chief Compliance Officer of the Company as they have to report to the Board about the Compliance of all laws by the Company. The Act also empowers Company Secretaries to be appointed as Administrator, Company Liquidators, Technical Member of National Company law Tribunal and have also been assigned duty to report fraud. As a Governance Professional a Company Secretary is required to strike a balance among conflicting demands and rising expectations of Stakeholders. The introduction of Secretarial Audit of Non-Financial Information and the Secretarial Standards of ICSI have been landmark recognitions of the profession of Company Secretaries, where Company Secretaries will now have to assume enlarged roles and don the roles as Governance Professionals.
What role is played by the Company secretary in the current scenario of employment?
Company Secretaries (CS), who are Confidants of the board of directors, act as advisors to the Board of Directors. A compliance officer of the Company (Responsible for all regulatory compliances of company). Company Secretaries (CS) have the responsibility of setting up the contours for the deliberations of the Board and ensuring regulatory compliance with respect to all the decisions. They act as governance professionals. In companies, a Company Secretary is more involved in corporate restructuring, formulating corporate policies, managing public issues, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures within and outside India, to name a few. The Company Secretaries also act as the confidants of the Board of Directors (BoD) while also liaisoning with various government departments. They are even foraying in capital markets and financial services.
In addition, a Company Secretary can render professional services in the areas of Corporate Governance, Legal and Secretarial Services, Corporate Laws Advisory and Representation Services, Financial Market Services, Banking Services, Finance and Accounting Services, Taxation Services, International Trade & WTO, Management Services etc,
What is the current action plan that is being worked upon by The ICSI?
This year we are going to focus more on capacity building for the members and students across the country, in the light of The Companies Act 2013. With 35,000 members and 4,00,000 students, the Institute constantly endeavors towards the transitioning of its initiatives for members. Through professional development programmes, it seeks to impart continuing education to its members, to keep them updated in the various developments in the relevant laws as well as corporate and business environment.
What are the future plans and courses of action of The ICSI?
These are Workshops on Secretarial Audit and Annual Return, Capacity Building Workshop(s) on Valuation, Corporate Restructuring, NCLT, Master Class on Companies Act, 2013, Revised Secretarial Standards, Revision of Referencers and Guidance Notes, Guidance Note on Secretarial Audit, Text Book on Company Law, Making study material optional, Secured Recognitions and dual degrees through collaboration, Effective service through Massive Open Online Course (Moocs), video library, webinars etc, development of strong database of subject experts, Enhancement of soft skills through development of videos, Revision of syllabus, improvement in quality of study materials, practical orientations to study materials, Equipping academic officers through training and academic development programmes to get practical orientations to the subjects, formation of knowledge group of academic officers, and online publication of student company secretary and CS foundation bulletin.
Self study is the mantra for a CS aspirant besides planned timetable and focus on all topics according to one’s strengths.
Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) offers a three-level course to be started after Class 12th . Class 12th pass students need to clear 3 levels of examinations along with around 15 months of training, on completion of which they become eligible to be enrolled as an Associate member of the Institute and designated as Associate Company Secretary (ACS). A person is entitled to get himself enrolled as a Fellow, if he is an Associate Member for at least five years and fulfils the conditions as stipulated in Regulation 4(2) of the Company Secretaries Regulations,1982.
The major initiatives for students are complete switchover to Online Registration from 1st January 2014, Computer Based Examination for CS Foundation Programme wef June 2014, and introduction of Open Book Examination (OBE) In Elective Subjects (Paper – 9) in Module-III of Professional Programme (New Syllabus) Examination from June, 2014 onwards.
The initiatives for the students that ere currently in progress are development of Videos on soft skills, MCQs for Computer Based foundation Examination and MCQ based examination for three papers of executive programme, Student Company Secretary/ Foundation Bulletin in Electronic Mode, Revision of Study material in the light of Companies Act, 2013, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) - Video Library for Courseware.
The initiatives taken for students last year introduction of new syllabus for professional program, launch of Corporate Compliance Executive Certificate (CCE) Program, launch of E-library for the students at nominal charges, two batches of Certificate Course on Valuation organised at ICSI-NIRC, New Delhi and one batch at ICSI-CCGRT at Navi Mumbai, PMQ Course in Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency started, and booklets on Guide to CS Students /Public speaking.
What does the new law related to Company’s act mention?
The crucial role that a CS plays in a company can be gauged by the fact that the Companies Act, 2013 recognises Company Secretaries as a “Key Managerial Personnel” along with the Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director / Manager, whole-time director and Chief Financial Officer (section 203). Being Key Managerial Personnel, Company Secretary is required to be mandatorily appointed in every company belonging to such class or classes of companies as may be prescribed.
Also their duties under the Companies Act, 2013 have been substantially enhanced and they are required to advise the Board of Director on adoption of good governance practices in the Company on the role and responsibility of Directors. They are also recognized as the Chief Compliance Officer of the Company as they have to report to the Board about the Compliance of all laws by the Company. The Act also empowers Company Secretaries to be appointed as Administrator, Company Liquidators, Technical Member of National Company law Tribunal and have also been assigned duty to report fraud. As a Governance Professional a Company Secretary is required to strike a balance among conflicting demands and rising expectations of Stakeholders. The introduction of Secretarial Audit of Non-Financial Information and the Secretarial Standards of ICSI have been landmark recognitions of the profession of Company Secretaries, where Company Secretaries will now have to assume enlarged roles and don the roles as Governance Professionals.
What role is played by the Company secretary in the current scenario of employment?
Company Secretaries (CS), who are Confidants of the board of directors, act as advisors to the Board of Directors. A compliance officer of the Company (Responsible for all regulatory compliances of company). Company Secretaries (CS) have the responsibility of setting up the contours for the deliberations of the Board and ensuring regulatory compliance with respect to all the decisions. They act as governance professionals. In companies, a Company Secretary is more involved in corporate restructuring, formulating corporate policies, managing public issues, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures within and outside India, to name a few. The Company Secretaries also act as the confidants of the Board of Directors (BoD) while also liaisoning with various government departments. They are even foraying in capital markets and financial services.
In addition, a Company Secretary can render professional services in the areas of Corporate Governance, Legal and Secretarial Services, Corporate Laws Advisory and Representation Services, Financial Market Services, Banking Services, Finance and Accounting Services, Taxation Services, International Trade & WTO, Management Services etc,
What is the current action plan that is being worked upon by The ICSI?
This year we are going to focus more on capacity building for the members and students across the country, in the light of The Companies Act 2013. With 35,000 members and 4,00,000 students, the Institute constantly endeavors towards the transitioning of its initiatives for members. Through professional development programmes, it seeks to impart continuing education to its members, to keep them updated in the various developments in the relevant laws as well as corporate and business environment.
What are the future plans and courses of action of The ICSI?
These are Workshops on Secretarial Audit and Annual Return, Capacity Building Workshop(s) on Valuation, Corporate Restructuring, NCLT, Master Class on Companies Act, 2013, Revised Secretarial Standards, Revision of Referencers and Guidance Notes, Guidance Note on Secretarial Audit, Text Book on Company Law, Making study material optional, Secured Recognitions and dual degrees through collaboration, Effective service through Massive Open Online Course (Moocs), video library, webinars etc, development of strong database of subject experts, Enhancement of soft skills through development of videos, Revision of syllabus, improvement in quality of study materials, practical orientations to study materials, Equipping academic officers through training and academic development programmes to get practical orientations to the subjects, formation of knowledge group of academic officers, and online publication of student company secretary and CS foundation bulletin.