All Job Categories
Company secretary
Chartered secretary
Company secretaries make sure that directors follow company law and finance rules.
Average salary (a year)
£26000
Starter
£90000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
occasionally
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a 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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
You could start by doing a higher national diploma in business management or law. Then you can apply 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice for higher education courses in college|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You may be able to become a company secretary by doing a Governance Officer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
You might also get into this type of work by completing a Solicitor Level 7 Non-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 higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Other Routes
You can take professional qualifications offered by The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland 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 The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to:get professional recognition, find training opportunities, make industry contacts
Further Information
You can find out more about how to become a company secretary from The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Other Requirements
To be the secretary of a public limited company (PLC), you'll need to meet the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. You can get more information about this from the The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland.
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In this role you could
prepare yearly company reports, control share option schemes and pay profits, 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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
Powered by
Claim your school or college profile