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Career opportunities as a Company Secretary

The career opportunities for a qualified Company Secretary are increasing as the economy is growing and new and more companies are entering the market. As per law all the public limited companies beyond a particular size are required to appoint a qualified company secretary who is generally a senior officer of the management. The role of company secretary is that of an advisor to the management regarding complex legal, regulatory as well as business and financial matters. Increasingly the roles of finance and company secretary are also getting merged and in many a company the same person is handling the two jobs, increasing his profile in the management.

Eligibility
One can become a company secretary only after passing the final examination conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, ICSI House, 22 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003. CS course can be pursued in two ways. If you want to pursue the course after graduation, then you need to have a minimum degree of commerce with 50% marks. If you are a Science or Arts graduate, then you should have scored a minimum of 60% or more at the graduation stage, other graduates are eligible if they have an aggregate of 65% or more at the graduation stage. Those who do not have the minimum entry required or who want to pursue the course immediately after their class 12th examination have to appear in the Foundation Exam conducted by the institute.
Examination is conducted twice a year and all the course material is given by the institute. This is one of the most cost effective courses in the field of corporate law and finance.

Examination hurdle
The main entrance exam for CS is the Foundation Exam. The subjects include theoretical aspects of law, Economics and accountancy. Once you have passed the CS Foundation exam, you are eligible to become a CS student under the ICSI. There are two stages after that. First is Intermediate and the second is Final. You have to clear both the stages to be called a professional CS. Once you pass out of the institute, you are called ACS or an Associate member of the institute. With additional experience, you become FCS or fellow member of the institute.

Aptitude
Academic excellence, willingness to study extremely hard, keeping oneself abreast of latest changes in law and statutory requirements, aptitude for law and basic finance and taxation, time management, ability, decision making, analytical bend of mind, working under pressure and meeting stiff deadlines, determination and self motivation are the key requirements to be successful in the profession.

Job Prospects
CSs are highly paid professionals. The boom in the economy has led to further demand for the professionals. They are needed in various sectors and industries such as manufacturing, service, as also in financial sector, capital market, banking etc. Today a fresh CS can expect a starting pay of Rs. 25000/- and more and it can go up to 50000/- within 2-3 years of experience. Most of the companies pay a very good premium to the qualification and offer incentives to retain the right people. As an eye and ear to the Board, a CS is one of the most promising career opportunities for professionals.