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Company secretary

Alternative titles for this job include Chartered secretary

Company secretaries make sure that directors follow company law and financial regulations.

Average salary (a year)

£35,000 Starter

to

£70,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become a company secretary

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • training with a professional body

University

You'll need a foundation degree or degree in a relevant subject like:

  • business
  • law
  • accountancy
  • public administration

You'll also need relevant business experience in areas like:

  • pensions or insurance
  • personnel
  • accounts and credit control
  • purchasing
  • office management

You could get valuable work experience during your studies by doing a placement year or summer internship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could start by doing a higher national diploma in business management or law before applying to join a company as a trainee company secretary.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

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Apprenticeship

You may be able to become a company secretary by first qualifying as a solicitor through a degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

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Other Routes

You can take professional qualifications offered by ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute to become a company secretary.

You'll begin by doing the Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme, which starts at foundation level. You can join at a more advanced level if you already have a relevant qualification, for example in law.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a company secretary from ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent written communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

To be the secretary of a public limited company (PLC), you'll need to qualify with ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute or already be an accountant, solicitor or barrister.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • prepare annual company reports
  • administer share option schemes and pay dividends
  • provide legal advice to directors and board members
  • deal with other professionals like lawyers and auditors
  • send company information to Companies House or the Stock Exchange
  • keep up to date with policy, legal and statutory requirements for the business

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a company's chief executive or managing director.

You could also work freelance as a consultant or a part-time company secretary for several smaller businesses.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Solicitor Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,000.00 Annually
  • Location:
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

A Level: Accountancy

  • Provider: BEAUCHAMP COLLEGE
  • Start date: 24 August 2021
  • Location: Leicestershire

Level 2 AAT Introduction to Accountancy Certificate

  • Provider: EASTLEIGH COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2021
  • Location: Eastleigh
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