Company Secretary is a 3-year programme that focuses on providing the students with a piece of in-depth knowledge about the handling of the legal aspects of a company that includes tax returns and record keeping. These professionals are known to be directly involved in a firm’s strategies, decision making, ethical as well as regulatory requirements. The course of Company Secretary is offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India that has been established under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 with the aim of regulating the occupation of company secretaries in India.
CS course is divided into two stages: CS Executive and CS Professional. The aspiring candidates must pass the national level Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test in order to be admitted to the CS executive programme (first level) (CSEET). The candidates who stand eligible are also open for direct admissions. Following that, the candidates are required to pass the CS professional course.
The average course fee for Company Secretary in India is as follows: CS Foundation (INR 3600), CS Executive (INR 7000), CS Professional Course (INR 12,000).
At the successful completion of the course, these students are open to a wide range of employment opportunities in the field such as Audit Manager, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager, Stock Broker, Chief Financial Officer, Investment Banker, etc. The average initial salary for Company Secretaries in India stands at INR 2.5 - 8 lacs (approx.).
CS Course details
Company Secretary Highlights
Company Secretary Highlights
The course highlights for Company Secretary course have been given below for reference:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Company Secretary |
| Admission Process | Entrance-based |
| Course Fee | CS Foundation (INR 3600), CS Executive (INR 7000), CS Professional Course (INR 12,000) |
| Eligibility | Foundation: 10+2 level from recognised institute Executive: CSEET or Graduation/foundation programme Professional: Executive programme |
| CS Exam | Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) |
| Course Levels | Foundation, Executive and Professional |
| Job Positions | Audit Manager, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager, Stock Broker, Chief Financial Officer, Investment Banker, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2.5 - 8 lacs (approx.) |
| Top Recruiters | TVS, Aditya Birla, Dell Technologies, Croma, Indian Railways Finance Corporation Limited, Tata Steel, and so on. |
Company Secretary Eligibility Criteria
Company Secretary Eligibility Criteria
Below eligibility are categories into CSEET, Executive and Professional course eligibility:
Foundation Course Eligibility (Now replaced with CS Executive Entrance Test or CSEET)
To stand out as an eligible candidate for the foundation course, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
- The aspirants must have completed their 10+2 level from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% marks at an aggregate.
- The aspirants must pass their 10+2 entrance exams so as to enroll in the Company Secretary’s Foundation Course.
Executive Course Eligibility
To stand out as an eligible candidate for the executive course, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
- Excluding some of the categories, it is mandatory for the aspiring candidates to qualify the CSEET exam in order to register for the Executive Programme.
- In order to be an eligible candidate for CSEET, the candidates are required to have completed their class 12th from a recognised institute.
- Apart from the above mentioned factors, the age limit of the aspirants should be above the age of 17 years.
Professional Course Eligibility
To stand out as an eligible candidate for the professional course, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
- The aspiring candidates of the Company Secretary Professional Course are required to successfully pass the Company Secretary Executive Programme.
Company Secretary Entrance Exams
Company Secretary Entrance Exams
To begin with the Company Secretary course, the aspiring candidates have to appear for CSEET entrance exam. The necessary details about the entrance exam have been listed in the table below for your reference:
| Events | January Session | May Session |
|---|---|---|
| CSEET 2023 Registrations Open | October 22, 2022 | To be announced |
| Closing of registrations for CSEET 2023 | December 15, 2022 | To be announced |
| CSEET 2023 admit card | December 28, 2022 | To be announced |
| CSEET 2023 exam date | January 7, 2023 | To be announced |
| Declaration of Result | To be announced | To be announced |
Company Secretary Syllabus
Company Secretary Syllabus
CSEET Syllabus
Below table shows the paper wise syllabus of CSEET:
| Paper | Name of the Subject | Details of CSEET syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Syllabus | Business Communication (50 marks) | Essentials of Good English Communication, Business Correspondence and Common Business Terminologies |
| Paper 2 Syllabus | Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning (50 marks) | Indian Constitution Elements of General Laws (Indian Contract Act and Law of Torts), Elements of Company Secretaries Legislation and Elements of Company Law |
| Paper 3 Syllabus (50 marks) | Economic and Business Environment Part A - Economics | Basics of Demand and Supply and Forms of Market Competition, National Income Accounting and Related Concepts, Indian Union Budget, Indian Financial Markets and Indian Economy |
| Economic and Business Environment Part B – Business Environment | Entrepreneurship Scenario, Business Environment and Key Government Institutions | |
| Paper 4 Syllabus (50 marks) | Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills Part A – Current Affairs | Current Affairs |
| Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills Part B – Presentation and Communication Skills (Viva Voce) | Listening Skills, Written Communication Skills and Oral Communication Skills |
Company Secretary Executive Syllabus
CS Executive New Syllabus
The CS Executive new syllabus is divided into two modules as follows. Candidates must qualify and clear both the modules to be eligible to apply for the CS Professional programme.
| Modules | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Module I | Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws |
| Company Law | |
| Setting up of Business Entities and Closure | |
| Tax Laws | |
| Module II | Corporate & Management Accounting |
| Securities Laws & Capital Markets | |
| Economic, Business and Commercial Laws | |
| Financial and Strategic Management |
CS Executive Old Syllabus
The old CS Executive syllabus of 7 papers instead of 8 papers at present. Check out the table below for the reference.
| Modules | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Module I | Company Law |
| Cost & Management Accounting | |
| Economic and Commercial Laws | |
| Tax Laws and Practice | |
| Module II | Company Accounts and Auditing Practices |
| Capital Markets and Securities Laws | |
| Industrial, Labour and General Laws |
CS Executive Subjects
CS Executive subjects have been designed to develop skills and competence of the Company Secretary Executive Program passed students to act as Secretarial Executive in companies or in professional and consultancy firms.
| ICSI CS Executive New Syllabus Study Material: Module 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Subjects | |
| Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws | Constitution of India, Law of Torts, Interpretation of Statutes & Other General Laws (Limitation, Specific Relief, Evidence, Stamp, Registration, General Clauses, CPC, CrPC, Arbitration, RTI) | |
| Company Law |
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| Setting up of Business Entities & Closure |
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| Tax Laws |
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| ICSI CS Executive New Syllabus Study Material: Module 2 | ||
| Corporate & Management Accounting |
|
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| Securities Laws & Capital Markets |
|
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| Economic, Business and Commercial Laws |
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| Strategic and Financial Management– Principles and Techniques |
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|
Company Secretary Professional Syllabus
CS Professional New Syllabus
CS Professional new syllabus and study material comprises 9 papers out of which one is elective in nature. Check out the details below in the table.
| Module | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Module I | Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics |
| Advanced Tax laws | |
| Drafting, Pleadings, and Appearances | |
| Module II | Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management, and Due Diligence |
| Corporate Reconstructing, Insolvency, Liquidation, and Winding-up | |
| Resolution of Corporate Disputes, Non- Compliances, and Remedies | |
| Module III | Corporate Funding and Listing in Stock Exchanges |
| Multidisciplinary Case Studies | |
| Elective(1 out of below 8 subjects) | Banking- Law, and Practice |
| Insurance- Law and Practice | |
| Intellectual Property Rights- Laws and Practice | |
| Forensic Audit | |
| Direct Tax Laws and Practice | |
| Labour Laws and Practice | |
| Valuations and Business Modelling | |
| Insolvency- Law, and Practice |
CS Professional Old Syllabus
The old CS Professional syllabus consists of 9 papers instead of 8 papers at present including one paper to be opted by the students out of 5 elective papers. The details of both the modules have been shared below.
| Module | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Module I | Advanced Company Law and Practice |
| Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence | |
| Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency | |
| Module II | Information Technology and Systems Audit |
| Financial, Treasury and Forex Management | |
| Ethics, Governance and Sustainability | |
| Module III | Advanced Tax Laws and Practice |
| Drafting, Appearances and Pleadings | |
| Electives(1 out of 5 Subjects) | Banking Law and Practice |
| Capital, Commodity and Money Market | |
| Insurance Law and Practice | |
| Intellectual Property Rights - Law and Practice | |
| International Business-Laws and Practices |
CS Professional Subjects
Below table shows the list of CS Professional subjects in a detailed manner:
| ICSI CS Professional New Syllabus Study Material: Module 1 & 2 | |
|---|---|
| Paper | Subjects |
| Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics |
|
| Advanced Tax laws |
|
| Drafting, Pleadings, and Appearances | Drafting, Pleadings, and Appearances (100 Marks) |
| Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management, and Due Diligence |
|
| Corporate Reconstructing, Insolvency, Liquidation, and Winding-up |
|
| Resolution of Corporate Disputes, Non- Compliances, and Remedies | Resolution of Corporate Disputes, Non- Compliances, and Remedies (100 Marks) |
| Corporate Funding and Listing in Stock Exchanges |
|
| Multidisciplinary Case Studies | Case studies mainly on the following areas: Corporate Laws including Company Law Securities Laws FEMA and other Economic and Business Legislations Insolvency Law Competition Law Business Strategy and Management Interpretation of Law Governance Issues. |
Company Secretary Fee Structure
Company Secretary Fee Structure
CS Executive Entrance Test Fees
Below table shows the entrance exam fees of the CS Executive fees:
| CSEET Registration fees | INR 1,000 per appearance |
|---|
Category wise concession in CSEET registration fee will be applicable as mentioned:
| Category | Fee Concession |
|---|---|
| SC/ ST | 50% |
| Physically Handicapped | 50% |
| Wards and Widows of Martyrs and Defence Service Personnel with Permanent Disability | 100% |
| Serving / Retired Personnel of Defence Services and Paramilitary Forces | 50% |
| ICSI Staff and Wards / Spouse of ICSI Staff | 75% |
| ICLS Officers/ Officers & Staff of MCA and affiliated offices (NCLT, SFIO and CCI) | 100% |
| Students from North Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep & Himachal Pradesh | 50% |
| Students from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh | 100% |
CS Executive Course Fees
Below table shows the course wise fees of CS Executive course:
| Particulars | Fee to be paid by candidates who have passed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS Executive Entrance Test | CS Foundation Programme | Final Course of ICAI | Final Course of ICMAI | |
| Registration fee | INR 2,000 | INR 2,000 | INR 2,000 | INR 2,000 |
| Education Fee | INR 6,500 | INR 6,500 | INR 6,500 | INR 6,500 |
| CSEET Exemption Fee | Nil | Nil | INR 5,000 | INR 5,000 |
| Pre-Exam Test Fee | INR1,000 | INR 1,000 | INR 1,000 | INR 1,000 |
| One Day Orientation Program | INR 600 | INR 600 | INR 600 | INR 600 |
| Chartered Secretary Journal Subscription (Optional) for one year | INR 500 | INR 500 | INR 500 | INR 500 |
| Total Fees | INR 10,600 | INR 10,600 | INR 15,600 | INR 15,600 |
CS Professional Course Fees (After completing Executive Programme)
Below table shows the course fees of CS Professional after completion of CS Executive:
| Particulars | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Education Fee | INR 12,000 |
| Pre-Exam Test Fee | INR 1,000 |
| Total Fees | INR 13,000 |
Comparison: Company Secretary Vs Chartered Accountancy
Comparison: Company Secretary Vs Chartered Accountancy
A brief course comparison between Company Secretary and Chartered Accountancy has been given below for your reference:
| Particulars | CS | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Course Details | It is a 3-year degree programme which is considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. | This is a 5-year degree course offered by the ICAI and has 3 levels similar to that of the CS programme. |
| Educational Qualification Required | Candidate must have passed the 10+2 | Candidates must have passed the 10+2 level with a minimum of 60% aggregate. |
| Required Skills | Time Management, Multitasking, Communication Skills, Expertise in Company Law, Compliance, Attention to details, etc. | General business awareness and interest, problem solving skills, methodical approach, IT proficiency, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 6 lacs (approx.) | INR 7 lacs (approx.) |
| Eligibility | Aspirants must have passed 10+2 (Commerce background preferred) | Aspirants must have passed 10+2 with commerce background mandatorily |
What After Company Secretary?
What After Company Secretary?
Company Secretary programme opens up a wide range of opportunities for the students to pursue higher education in the field or even directly entering into the world of corporate sector. Those candidates who successfully complete the Company Secretary programme are eligible to further opt for a PhD in Commerce/Management/Law, etc.
As per the Companies Act of 2013, any public or private listed company with a paid-up share capital of INR 10 crores or more is mandated to employ a full-time company secretary. These officials are also classified as Key Managerial Personnel.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Average Salary | INR 2.5 - 4 lacs (approx.) |
| Highest Package | INR 5 - 8 lacs (approx) |
| Job Profiles | Audit Manager, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager, Stock Broker, Chief Financial Officer, Investment Banker, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | TVS, Aditya Birla, Dell Technologies, Croma, Indian Railways Finance Corporation Limited, Tata Steel, and so on. |
| Higher Studies | PhD in Commerce/Management/Law |
FAQs
FAQs
Ques. What are the basic eligibility criteria for admissions to Company Secretary courses in India?
Ans. The basic eligibility criteria for admissions to Company Secretary courses in India have been listed below for reference:
- Foundation: 10+2 level from recognised institute
- Executive: CSEET or Graduation/foundation programme
- Professional: Executive programme
Ques. What qualifications are necessary for being a Company Secretary?
Ans. In order to become a Company Secretary, the aspiring candidates must hold a professional degree in law, business, accountancy, or public administration. Apart from that, the candidates must also have working experience in business areas concerned with things like accounts, pensions, personnel, credit control, etc.
Ques. What is the scope of Company Secretaries in a country like India?
Ans. The Company Secretary programme opens up a wide range of opportunities for the students to pursue higher education in the field or even directly entering into the world of corporate sector. Those candidates who successfully complete the Company Secretary programme are eligible to further opt for a PhD in Commerce/Management/Law, etc.
Ques. What all job positions are available for candidates at the successful completion of the Company Secretary course?
Ans. At the successful completion of the Company Secretary course, the candidates are open to a wide range of job positions such as Audit Manager, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager, Stock Broker, Chief Financial Officer, Investment Banker, etc.
Ques. What are the stages of becoming a Company Secretary?
Ans. The stages of becoming a Company Secretary have been listed below for reference:
Stage 1: CSEET
Stage 2: CS Executive Course
Stage 3: CS Professional Course
Stage 4: Pre-membership training
Stage 5: CS Membership
Stage 6: Continuation of professional development
Ques. Are there any online coaching classes available for preparing for Company Secretary?
Ans. To prepare for Company Secretary courses, the following online coachings are available for students to refer to:
- Deep Gyan Classes
- Takshila Learning
- ACE Tutorials
- GOLS CS Coaching
- Edu-Ex
- SuperProfs
- Vignan CA Institute
Ques. What are the responsibilities of a Company Secretary?
Ans. The responsibilities of a Company Secretary have been listed below for reference:
- These professionals are the compliance officers and provide the company with in-house legal advice as legal experts.
- Company Secretaries also play an important role in acting as a chief advisor to the board of directors in the corporate governance.
- Their field of expertise lies in capital markets, corporate laws, and securities laws.
- The company secretaries are also responsible for playing a role in corporate planning as well as a strategic manner.
Ques. What all skills are required for becoming a Company Secretary?
Ans. The skills required for becoming a Company Secretary include Expertise in Company Law, Attention to Details, Time Management, Multi-Tasking, Communication Skills, Compliance and many more.
Ques. Which is an easier course: CA or CS?
Ans. Company Secretary course is much easier in comparison to the Chartered Accountant course. The Chartered Accountant course is considered to be one of the toughest courses in India. On the contrary, the Company Secretary course is not easy overall but is easy in comparison to the Chartered Accountant course.
Ques. What all job positions are available at the successful completion of the Company Secretary course?
Ans. At the successful completion of the Company Secretary course, the students are opened up to a wide range of job positions such as Audit Manager, Revenue Manager, Marketing Manager, Stock Broker, Chief Financial Officer, Investment Banker, etc.
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