The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

ICSA (the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) is the international qualifying and membership body for the Chartered Secretary profession and the world’s leading authority on corporate governance.
The ICSA is the world’s leading authority on corporate governance; working alongside governments we represent the interest of organizations where legislation is concerned and promote best practice in business management.

Our International Qualifying Scheme (IQS) offers the broadest study of business disciplines of any profession and an accelerated route to the position of company secretary. Chartered Secretaries work across all industries and operate in public and private sectors, often holding well-remunerated positions at board level, or run their own companies providing company secretarial services. With the opportunity to work overseas, becoming a Chartered Secretary is a passport to arguably the most diverse, challenging and rewarding career among leading business professions.

The ICSA promotes best practice in corporate governance, liaising with governments and regulatory bodies worldwide. We publish guidance notes and best practice guides and through our subsidiaries provide information and training, boardroom performance evaluation and dedicated software. The ICSA has 36,000 members worldwide and is represented in over 70 countries.

The Qualifying Scheme - Introduction

 
The qualification programmes are designed to be as flexible as possible. As well as our own scheme, we work with a range of academic institutions mandated by the ICSA to provide courses (at MA or MSc level) that lead to the award of Chartered Secretary. This approach ensures we deliver versatile study options and tuition tailored to particular sectors and career paths, providing you with a highly marketable and coveted professional qualification. The following are the ICSA qualifications offered by the CPS:

• Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration
• Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice
• Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration
• Diploma in Business Practice
• Professional Programme Part I
• Professional Programme Part II

As everyone’s career objectives are unique, please contact us on +264 61 235170/2/3 if you have any questions.

Entry requirements

ICSA recommends that candidates who are non-native speakers of English should have a level of language equivalent to a score of 6.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with a score of at least a 6.0 in writing. The equivalent recommended scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are 550 for TOEFL Paper, 213 for TOEFL Computer, and 79-80 for TOEFL iBT. Having English language skills at this level will allow you to understand the study material for the ICSA modules, and will enhance your ability to perform well in the examinations.
How long does qualification take?
Due to the flexibility of study options available, there is no set timeframe in which the status of Chartered Secretary is achieved, however if you study both parts of the professional programme, qualification typically takes between one and three years.

Benefits of studying for an internationally recognized professional qualification
In the current difficult and competitive job market, a chartered professional status could help you open the door to a new and varied career.  This highly-esteemed professional qualification offers many opportunities including the chance to work overseas or run your own business. Here are some of the key benefits of being a Chartered Secretary:

• You'll be on the fast track to the boardroom - once qualified you'll work closely with the Chairman and the board
• The qualification is internationally recognized and gives you access to a broad range of portable skills 
• You'll be able to work in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors or set up your own business offering company secretarial services
• It's well paid. According to a survey published by recruitment firm Chambers and Partners in September 2009, the base salary for a top company secretarial job in a FTSE 100 company averaged out at £193,105 and £114,030 in a FTSE 250 company. The full survey can be requested online at http://www.chambersrecruitment.com/home.aspx.  
• A recent snapshot and market commentary published by specialist company secretarial recruiters Boxall Wallace Wells also gives information on all levels of seniority. In the BWW survey, FTSE 100 Deputies and Assistants are earning on average £99,679 and £59,155 respectively. BWW's full survey can be requested online at http://www.bwwrecruitment.com/SurveyRequest.aspx

COURSE PROGRAMMES

1.0        Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration

The ICSA Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration provides an introduction to the offshore finance sector.  It includes analysis of the general offshore environment and introductory modules on trusts and investment. There are no formal entry requirements, though candidates should be in a relevant occupation. On successful completion, candidates are able to use the designatory letters Cert.ICSA (Offshore Finance and Administration) after their names. Candidates can then continue to study for the Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration or Diploma in Business Practice, the second stage towards full membership of ICSA.

Modules

• Accounting Fundamentals

The Accounting Fundamental module relates to the understanding and use of accounts and covers the principles of accounting, bookkeeping, financial statements and accounting conventions.

• Investment

The Investment Syllabus introduces students to investment management, objectives and performance, and how these factors fit into the wider context of the macroeconomic environment, markets, instruments and regulation.

• Offshore Business Environment

The Offshore Business Environment module provides an overview of the financial services provided in offshore financial centres, and the business and legislative environment that has evolved to regulate their operation.  It addresses applicable legal and taxation concepts, and how recent developments have affected the delivery of offshore financial services.  The module also incorporates analysis of banking, money transmission, insurance, investment management, trust and company management services, and concludes with an examination of anti-money laundering.

• Trust and Company Principles

The Company Law and Business Administration areas of this module cover an introduction to company formation, meetings, resolutions, and minutes and the role of the company secretary.  The Introduction to Trusts includes history, formation and types of trusts, as well as an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of settlors, trustees and beneficiaries.

2.0        Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice

The ICSA Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice provides a highly relevant training opportunity for those employed in company secretarial and share registration administration. The course aims to offer a broad context of the company secretarial and share registration functions, whilst promoting a high degree of operational knowledge.
The ICSA Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice is a foundation qualification aimed at administrators, and at providing an introduction to the sector.

Modules

• Company Secretarial Practice
• Share Registration Practice
• Law and Practice of Meetings
• Financial Services Regulatory Knowledge

3.0        Diploma in Business Practice

ICSA is no longer accepting new students for the ICSA Diploma in Business Practice, and this qualification will cease after the November 2010 examinations.
The ICSA Diploma in Business Practice builds on the underlying principles of the ICSA Certificate by developing the in-depth knowledge and understanding which are essential to the running of successful organizations.  The Diploma is broadly equivalent to the second year of a three-year university degree and is open to those who have successfully completed the ICSA Certificate in Business Practice or have gained an appropriate exemption.
On achieving the ICSA Diploma in Business Practice, candidates are able to use the designatory letters Dip.ICSA (Business Practice) after their names.  Candidates who gain the Diploma can continue their studies on the ICSA Professional Programme to pursue the status of Chartered Secretary.

Modules

• Business Finance

The Business Finance Module builds upon the knowledge and techniques acquired through studying the ICSA Certificate Accounting for Business module.  It explains what intermediate level students need to know about financing organizations, such as preparing financial statements for limited companies (internal use only) and financial decision-making (including costing, pricing, measuring economic efficiency and company effectiveness).  You'll also learn how to interpret financial information and the principles of working capital management.

• Business Law in Practice

The Business Law in Practice module develops the legal principles outlined in the ICSA Certificate in Business Environment module.  It prepares you to communicate legal information effectively in the context of business transactions, statutory requirements, and company compliance.  The module also identifies the legal relationships between organizations’ stakeholders (e.g. directors, shareholders, employees, and customers), and concludes with an examination of how to assess, manage and insure against risk.

• Business Strategy and Planning

The Business Strategy and Planning module develops themes from a number of ICSA Certificate modules to extend your knowledge of strategic analysis tools such as PESTLER and SWOT.  Business strategy concerns the overall patterns that integrate an organization’s purpose, major goals, objectives, and its actions into a cohesive whole.

• Marketing

The Marketing module provides a broad understanding of this critical business discipline.  You'll gain insights into how to segment markets and understand them, plan marketing programmes, marketing tools and marketing communications.  You will also learn about how to set and measure the attainment of key marketing objectives.

4.0        Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration

The ICSA Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration builds upon the under-pinning principles of the ICSA Certificate.  It is aimed at those with experience of the offshore industry, for example administrators in junior supervisory roles, who wish to develop their knowledge further.
The Diploma is open to those who have successfully completed the ICSA Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration or have gained an appropriate exemption.  On successful completion, candidates are able to use the designatory letters Dip.ICSA (Offshore Finance and Administration) after their names. Candidates who gain the Diploma can continue their studies on the ICSA Professional Programme and pursue full status of Chartered Secretary.

Modules

• Business Management in Practice

The Business Management in Practice syllabus analyses the role of manager, and a range of related topics including: job design, organizations as systems, personality, behavior, perception, motivation, leadership, work groups and decision making.  The module also addresses the business environment spanning culture, change, and conflict management.

• Governance and Reporting

The Governance and Reporting module requires students to explore key areas relevant to the governance of, and reporting by:

• entities that a financial-services provider manages on behalf of clients
• companies in which investments are made
• the financial-service provider itself
• Offshore Trust and Companies Administration

The Offshore Trust and Companies Administration syllabus addresses offshore companies, trusts and risk management.  Students are required to consider the types, features and funding of offshore companies, trust creation, use and type of trusts, the role of the trustees, risk management in offshore centres and risk management and control.

• Portfolio Management

The Portfolio Management module explains the stages of the portfolio management process including risk, return, the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), collective investment schemes, international investment risk assessment and overseas markets.  Also, students will be required to consider aspects of taxation, financial service regulation and takeovers.

5.0        Professional Programme Part I

The ICSA's International Qualifying Scheme (also referred to as the ICSA Professional Programme) is the broadest-based professional business qualification available, covering business, company law, corporate governance, management, finance/accounting, administration and company secretarial practice.  Highly valued across the globe, it defines you as an individual with the skills, leadership and vision to make a real difference to the success of your organization.
Once candidates have successfully completed the Professional Programme exams, they are automatically transferred to the grade of Graduate.  After paying the Graduate fee, candidates can use the designatory letters 'GradICSA' after their name.

Modules

• Corporate Law

Chartered Secretaries are the leading authority and reference on the requirements of corporate law.  The Corporate Law module therefore provides you with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the source and provisions of corporate law in the structure, management and performance of the business entity.

• Financial Accounting

The Financial Accounting module will develop your skills and knowledge to conduct a key area of your role as a Chartered Secretary; detailed analysis and interpretation of corporate financial performance and results.  Using your knowledge, you will be able to assess the health of organisations, suggest areas for enhancing the performance of your business and input (along with your senior colleagues) into strategic planning and investment decisions.

• Management Accounting

Chartered Secretaries along with their board-level colleagues, input into the strategy of the business.  They also oversee shareholder communication - a key part of which includes the production of the annual report and accounts.  These demands require a good understanding of the organization’s financial status, knowledge we help you to develop in the Management Accounting module.

• Strategic and Operations Management

The aim of the Strategic and Operations Management module is to develop knowledge and understanding of key principles and practices, to equip the aspiring Chartered Secretary for both the strategic and corporate contexts of the professional role.

6.0        Professional Programme Part II

The ICSA's International Qualifying Scheme (also referred to as the ICSA Professional Programme) is the broadest-based professional qualification available.  It covers business, company law, corporate governance, management, finance/accounting, administration and company secretarial practice and is highly valued across the globe.  Indeed, the status of Chartered Secretary is a highly marketable achievement that defines you as an individual with the skills, leadership and vision to make a real difference to the success of your organization. Once candidates have successfully completed the Professional Programme exams, they are automatically transferred to the grade of Graduate.  After paying the Graduate fee, candidates can use the designatory letters 'GradICSA' after their name.

Modules

• Corporate Administration

The way an organization is run and its approach to best practice across operations is increasingly used as a measure of its overall performance and indicator of future success.  With Chartered Secretaries charged with overseeing the operation of the board and critical issues such as compliance and shareholder communications, the Corporate Administration module provides knowledge of best practice across this vital discipline. 

• Corporate Financial Management

This module will equip you with the knowledge to understand the issues involved in corporate financial policy, planning, decision making and control which are all central requirements of the skill sets of Chartered Secretaries.

• Corporate Governance

Financial scandals among major corporations have rocked stock markets across the globe in the last decade.  The failings at businesses such as Enron have renewed the focus on corporate governance both among general investors and legislators.  Defined as the system or process by which companies are directed and controlled, corporate governance is based on the principle that companies are acocuntable for their actions.  The way businesses structure their boards and the checks and procedures they put in place to minimize risk and ensure compliance with company law are under increased scrutiny.  All of these elements are the responsibility of the Chartered Secretary.  With this in mind, the Corporate Governance module arms you with the skills and knowledge to ensure that your organization enjoys an excellent reputation for best practice in this critical area; a skill set that reates strong demand for your services.

• Corporate Secretaryship

A core responsibility of the Chartered Secretary is as Secretary to the Board.  The aim of this module is to specify and assess the essential knowledge and skills involved in taking overall responsibility for the corporate secretarial function in small, medium and large scale organizations.  You will cover areas such as approaches to advising the Board, establishing the efficient communication of Board decisions both within and beyond the company, leading teams in secretarial best practice and ensuring compliance with law and regulation.