Many people heard the phrase ‘company secretary.’ Many people might doubt whether their company needs a company secretary, especially for SMEs as they want to cut costs. So, does your company need a company secretary? In this article, we will tell you more about the duties of company secretary.
Does Your Company Need a Company Secretary?
The answer would be yes. No matter whether you like it or not, you must appoint a company secretary in your company as this is legally stated under S235(1) Companies Act 2016. In this section, the qualifications of the company secretary were also listed, which included the company secretary shall be a person licensed by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) under section 20G of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Amendment) Act 2015; or a member of a body listed in the Fourth Schedule.
Now that you know that under the Companies Act 2016, your business requires a company secretary. You’ll see why it’s so crucial to have one for your business. Not only that, it should be entrusted to someone who is not just qualified but also experienced in performing the duties of a company secretary. As you can see, it’s not something you can do on your own.
So, what is the Duty Company Secretary?
Company secretaries are involved in many departments of the company but nowadays there are still many people who believe that company secretaries solely do secretarial work, but this is not true. The company secretary is significantly more important, and he or she can help the firm run more smoothly. Here are some of the duties and responsibilities of a company secretary:
– Serving as a board member’s officer and advisor.
– Assuring that the company’s directors are not violating any local laws.
– Ensuring that the company abides by the constitution.
– Taking part in board meetings.
– Assisting with the annual return filing.
– Keeping track of all annual accounts and records.
– Keep the company seal in your possession.
– Act as the main point of contact for institutional and other shareholders.
– Keeping in touch with the company’s shareholders regularly.
– Assist with the distribution and publication of the annual report
– Keeping track of any new advances in corporate governance.
Therefore, the selected company secretary must possess these 5 qualities. It is not enough to hire someone as a corporate secretary because they are competent at their job; you must pick someone credible and certified to perform the responsibilities required.
Where can You Obtain a Company Secretary in Malaysia?
The majority of large corporations currently employ a company secretary. However, most SMEs in Malaysia will outsource and hire an external company secretary. It is because more cost-effective and easier to handle.