IKON
Mr. Dev Bajpaiis a Fellow Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and has a law degree from University of Delhi. He is currently an Executive Director, Legal and Company Secretary. Current Salary 2.88 Crores p.a. He has 24 years of experience in diverse industries that includes Automobiles, FMCG, Hospitality and Private Equity, in the areas of Legal, Governance, Tax and Corporate Affairs.
He has worked in organizations like Maruti Udyog Limited, Marico Limited, Indian Hotels Company Limited and ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited. He has been part of committees of Apex Industry Organisations like CII & FICCI. He has also represented Industry before Parliamentary Committees. Mr. Bajpai completed an Executive Program for Corporate Counsels at Harvard conducted by Harvard Law School.
Before joining Hindustan Unilever Limited, he was Senior Director, Legal & Compliance, ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited.He also serves as its Executive Director of Legal & Corporate Affairs. Mr. Bajpai serves as Vice President of Legal and Company Secretary of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces Ltd. He is responsible for the Legal function of the Taj Group. Mr. Bajpai serves as Senior Director of Legal & Compliance with ICICI Venture.
What is the Job all about?
It is essentially an Advisory role on all matters connected with Corporate Law, Securities, Capital Markets and Corporate governance. So, the job is about an integrated knowledge of multiple disciplines of law, finance and corporate governance. The Company Secretary is a link between the company, its board of directors, shareholders, government and other agencies.
He is the Advisor to the Board of Directors on best practices in corporate governance. He is responsible for all regulatory compliances of law and is the corporate planner and strategic manager.
Any Company whose paid Up share capital is in excess of Rs.5 Crores and which is listed on the Stock Exchange has to appoint,statutorily, a Company Secretary. Where the Paid Up capital is less than Rs.5 Crores some Companies appoint independent Consultants who are qualified Company Secretaries who run their own Consultancy Firms.
Can you go for it?
This is basically a quasi-legal job in that, all matters pertaining to the Company Law must be strictly adhered to. This job can get pretty stressful, if there are issues that are not pointed out to the shareholders in good time or where there have been problems in terms of profitability of the Company but not clearly spelt out in the Balance Sheets of the Company.
Is there a future in this field?
Since it is a statutory position appointed under Law, the prospects for the future augur well. A qualified Company Secretary has a choice, to determine the type of Company that would give him,not only tremendous job satisfaction, but a promising remuneration as well.
Where to Begin
in Goa
The study could be done after 10+ 2 or after Graduation. The entire program can be done through e-learning. http://learning.icsi.edu. However, you may also decide to join classes conducted by Dhempe College in Panjim.
The Company Secretary Program has three parts:
1. Foundation Level(4 papers)
2. Executive Level (6 papers)
3. Professional Level (8 papers)
If you undertake it after 10+2, then you need to pass all the levels. If you go for it after Graduation, then only the Executive and Professional levels need to be completed. Thereafter, you need to undertake a 16 months Pre-Membership Training, to qualify as an Associate Member of Company Secretaries.
The Exams are conducted twice a year, in June and December, provided you register for the exam 9 months before the actual exams. The venue for the tests is at Panaji. Registration for this program can be done twice a year, in March and September each year. For further details of the program you could contact their office in Panaji on 2435033 or visit their website at www.icsi.edu
Employment avenues
As stated earlier,Companies whose Paid Up capital is in excess of Rs.5 Crores, has to employ a Company Secretary. So the chances are pretty good for new qualified ACS members. You need to check newspapers or go to the websites of big Companies, to see whether there are such vacancies advertised in the Career Columns.
Monies
Around Rs.25,000/- p.m. at the start and goes up to Rs. 75,000/-p.m. or even higher, depending on the Sector and the person’s own capacities.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/