CS Introduction

With the fast increase in number of mid and large-sized companies in India, increasingly complexity of business compliance, increased focus on corporate governance and enhanced legislative mandate to a Company Secretary (CS);

The role of the Company Secretary is becoming more visible and crucial. As a qualified professional from the ‘Institute of Company Secretaries of India’ (ICSI), world’s largest Institute for Company Secretaries.

A CS is required to assume the role of a truly multifaceted contributor who executes the day to day corporate governance activities, alongside piloting the long term course of a company’s future through ethical and professional practices.

A Company Secretary is the company’s face to the internal and external stakeholders, custodian and answerable for management and company policies, entrusted to be the internal ethics watchdog and help elevate the corporate governance best practices, leading to long term wisdom and holistic growth.

Role of a CS as a Statutory Officer:

The role of Company secretary includes:

• To ensure compliance with statutory requirements as prescribed under several laws;
• To maintain the statutory books; and
• To file statutory returns.

Role of a Company Secretary as a Coordinator:

Whilst the Board of directors discuss and decide policy matters as body, the Secretary is responsible for transmitting the policies and decisions of the Board, to all levels in the Company and outsiders.  A Company Secretary makes arrangements for various meetings of the Company and draft out the minutes and reports.  He is also required to keep the Chairman and Managing Director apprised of changes in policies of the Government and to give balanced advice on matters, which have legal ramifications.

Role of Company Secretary as an Administrative Officer:

The principal duty of a secretary as an administrator is to ensure that the activities of a Company are in conformity with the Company’s policy. In his role as an administrator, the secretary provides the very foundation on which the entire structure of the Company administration is constructed. As chief administrative officer, he helps the Company in accomplishment of its objectives by performing the following role:-

• Role in office management.
• Role in personnel administration.
• Role in property administration.
• Role in security of personnel and property.
• Role in financial administration.

It has been rightly remarked that while the directors are the brain of the Company, the secretary is its ears, eyes and hands.  Indeed a CS is the pilot around which the whole corporate machinery revolves.