Company Secretaryship (CS) offers an opportunity for youngsters to occupy top corporate firms without facing the hassles of regular entrance exams. However, regular colleges do not offer the training in this regard. Instead, trainees can attend classes arranged by some chapters of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), utilize study materials distributed by the Institute, join online classes and seek private tutions. Still, they can succeed only by self-learning.
Youths in the age group, including those who have only a Class-12 qualification, can undergo the training. However, they have to avoid all distractions which could affect their focus while studying from home.
Tasks
A company secretary’s main responsibility is to ensure the firm follows all company rules. Other tasks include making appointments, secretarial work, accounting and auditing. It is the company secretary who represents the firm before Registrar of Companies, tax authorities and arbitrators.
As per law, all firms having a paid-up capital of at least Rs 10 crore should have a full-time company secretary.
Procedure
After the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) began on February 3, 2020, candidates need not register for the Foundation course.
Youths who have passed Class 12 as well as those studying for the exam can register for CSEET for a fee of Rs 1,500. This includes the cost of the books to prepare for the test. For classroom training and reference material, another Rs 1,000 has to be paid.
Candidates who have cleared CS Foundation are exempted from taking this test. Others who can avoid CSEET by submitting an exemption fee of Rs 5,000 are candidates qualified for Chartered Accountancy/Cost Accountacy Final or those with any post-graduate degree or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks.
CSEET is a 120-minute computer-based exam with 140 multiple-choice questions. There are no negative marks. The next test is scheduled in mid-May this year and registrations could be done till April 15 on www.icsi.edu. CSEET is conducted four times a year – in January, May, July and November.
Executive programme
Class-12 students who clear CSEET can register for Executive programme within a year for a fee of Rs 8,500. There are additional fees for orientation, classroom coaching and other requirements. These students should subsequently clear eight papers under two modules.
Professional programme
Candidates who have passed both modules in the Executive level can register for the Professional programme at a fee of Rs 12,000. There are other fees also.
After clearing all programmes, practical experience is mandatory for recognition as CS.
Contact details of Kerala chapters of ICSI: Thiruvananthapuram 0471-2309915; Kochi 8758919911, Thrissur 0487-2337860, Palakkad 0491-2528558, Kozhikode 0495-2770702.