Role of the Company Secretary

7. Getting Help

Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to employ company secretaries with specific qualifications. But with such a wide range of responsibilities and penalties for failure to exercise them properly, it pays for an inexperienced company secretary to receive some formal training before taking on the job.

7.1 The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) runs courses and provides guidance.

• It also produces a booklet on the duties and responsibilities of the company secretary, and best practice guides on related areas.

7.2 A range of useful information, in addition to the necessary forms and documents, is available from Companies House (0870 333 3636).

• This includes another booklet on duties and responsibilities, and a guide to the penalties for late filing.