In both the United Kingdom and Europe, the role of the company secretary is an important one to the smooth operation of each company. Sometimes known as chartered secretaries, the company secretary assures that companies and their directors obey all of the laws and regulation of the company. The company secretary assumes a great many different financial and legal management roles including the following:



?#Keeping company records such as director and shareholders listings

?#Sending company information to the Stock Exchange or Companies House

?#Taking and compiling minutes at annual general meetings and board meetings

?#Preparation of the company's annual reports

?#Administration of share option schemes and responsibility for paying dividends

?#Keeping up to date with the laws of the company

?#Keeping directors and board members advised about their legal responsibilities

?#Role of the company's named representative on any legal documents

?#Responsibility of dealing with other professionals such as lawyers and auditors

In some smaller companies, the company secretary may also fill the role of accountant and finance director and perform functions such as payroll, budget and internal audits, health, safety and risk management, handle insurance and property issues, and be responsible for the general management of the company.

Although the job is customarily a Monday to Friday 9-5 job on site, there may be occasions when you will be required to work overtime and/or be offsite such as meeting deadlines or attending meetings in the evening. Most in this field have several years? business experience and degrees or qualifications in business, law, accountancy, or public administration. There are not formal qualifications required to become a company secretary for a private company, but for a public company, you must be an accountant, solicitor, barrister or advocate, or be a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries (ICSA). Where you will need to begin your training to become a chartered secretary depends upon your current knowledge and professional training, which can be accomplished at a college or university or through distance learning while working. Currently, all companies in the United Kingdom must have a company secretary, but the law is subject to change.

Company secretaries typically earn from ?21,000 to ?27,000 at entry level and with five years of experience may earn between ?35,000 and ?55,000 annually. Senior company secretaries can expect to earn between ?70,000 and ?120,000 annually. Performance rated pay schemes and other benefits may be available through individual companies.