The Work

Chartered Secretaries are high-ranking professionals with a diverse set of skills unique among many professions. Trained in corporate law, finance, governance and corporate secretarial practice, Chartered Secretaries are the focal point for independent advice about the conduct of business, governance and compliance. They can also offer legal and accounting advice and manage the development of strategy and corporate planning.

Chartered secretaries work in a broad range of organisations. Some institutions call them chartered administrators or company secretaries. Whatever their job title, they have very similar functions.  
 
Chartered secretaries (or their equivalent) make sure that organisations run smoothly, in a professional and efficient way. Their work includes signing legal documents and making agreements on behalf of their organisation.

They make sure that any records they are required to keep are up-to-date, and that the company meets its legal obligations, seeking legal advice where required.  
 
They also have other administrative duties. These include organising employee insurance and pension schemes. They may also have responsibility for buying, renting and selling property, as well as dealing with personnel and communications issues.

A chartered secretary needs to have sound knowledge of company taxation, corporate finance and accounting, and their organisation's relationship with its shareholders.  
 
Chartered secretaries provide support for meetings and committees, including the board of directors and management teams. They arrange meetings, draw up the agenda and may take the minutes. They may advise on points of law at the meeting. Some chartered secretaries have to produce the company's annual report.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

You must be a chartered or certified accountant, barrister, solicitor, or a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) to become a company secretary to a public limited company. Many of those working in public service are also (ICSA) members.  

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, and Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Administration, Management, Law, Commerce, and Accounting courses around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Financial services, Lean Sigma, Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Law, Accounts & Finance NFQ Level 6-8 courses Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Business, Accounts, Management, Financial & legal advice and compliance NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

International Financial Services Skillnet Network 

The 30% club: Growth Through Diversity  

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

There are three stages to becoming a Member of the ICSA:  
 
1. Successfully completing the Qualifying Examinations.  
2. Gaining relevant work experience.  
3. Being recognised as a "fit and proper person".  
 
There are two grades of membership:  
Associate (ACIS) - You will need to be 21 years of age, or over, and have at least 6 years relevant work experience. The 6-year requirement can be reduced buy up to 3 years for holders of degrees and other relevant qualifications.  
 
Fellow (FCIS) - To advance to this senior grade of membership a Member will need to demonstrate career progression to a senior level in a substantial organization. In addition, the minimum age is 25, and the minimum experience requirement is 8 years (reducible by up to 3 years as above).  
 
ICSA qualifying examinations are in three stages - the Foundation programme, the Pre-professional programme and the Professional programme. Your point of entry to the programme depends on what qualifications you have, and the number of years works experience you have in relevant occupational areas.  

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €95k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley / CPL / Lincoln / Brightwater/ Sigmar

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels have declined annually since 2020 for this occupation, resulting in a negative growth rate for the five-year annual average. There were a small number of employment permits issued for legal counsel across a number of sectors including ICT and the financial sector. However, the professional, scientific and technical activities sector accounts for the majority of employment in this occupation.

Employment growth for this occupation was slightly above the five-year national average. It is difficult to attribute the growth of this occupation to any one sub-sector of the economy, although legal advisory activities as a result of increased regulatory and compliance requirements in financial services etc. may be a contributing factor.

• Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

  • ICSA Irish Region, P.O. Box 7568, Foxrock, Dublin 18
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