A Company Secretary is a high-ranking position in a public or private sector company. It usually takes the form of a managerial or higher position. A corporate secretary or secretary is a common title for large publicly traded corporations.

Despite the name, the role is not a clerical or secretarial one in the usual sense. The business secretary in Singapore is responsible for ensuring that the organization adheres to relevant legislation and regulations and keeping board members informed about their legal responsibilities.

The company secretary is the named representative for legal documents. It is their responsibility to ensure that directors and the company comply with the law. They are also responsible for communicating with shareholders to ensure that dividends are paid.

Private companies are required to appoint one person as company secretary in many countries. This person will usually also be a senior member of the board.

ROLE AND DUTIES OF A COMPANY SECRETARY:

Companies law only requires a listed company to employ a full-time secretary. A single-member company, which is a company that is not publicly traded, must also employ a secretary.

Functions of secretary:

  • To ensure compliance of the provisions of Companies Law and rules made there-under and other statutes and bye-laws of the company.
  • To ensure that the business of the company is conducted in accordance with its objects as contained in its memorandum of association.
  • To ensure that affairs of the company are managed in accordance with its objects contained in the articles of association and the provisions of the Companies Law.
  • To prepare the agenda in consultation with the Chairman and the other documents for all the meetings of the board of directors.

THE POWERS OF A COMPANY SECRETARY:

Companies Law allows him to sign the statutory returns and applications.