How to Become A Chartered Secretary in Nigeria

Chartered Secretaries and Administrators are rarely mentioned in the same breath as secretaries. A Chartered Secretary and Administrator has proved several professional capabilities and is capable of working in any sector of the business or organization. 

There are a number of roles that a chartered secretary might play in the company, including financial, administrative, and data management positions. Every public company in Nigeria is required by law to have a competent Company Secretary, a job that is widely recognized as critical in organizations large and small. For this position, you must have a Chartered Secretary’s qualification, which will allow you to meet the law’s criteria.

The responsibilities of a Chartered Secretary differ from one company to the next and are predetermined by the specifics of the firm’s constitution. The role of a Chartered Secretary isn’t clearly defined, although it’s usually to make sure that a company’s administration runs well. As a result, he or she must be adaptable, possess a wide range of business knowledge, and have strong administrative and organizational skills. In Nigeria, it is possible to become a Chartered Secretary by following the processes outlined below.

Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) (ICSAN)

If you’re interested in working as an administrator or secretary in Nigeria, you’ll want to join an organization known as the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Nigeria (ICSAN). The Post-Qualifying Education (PQE) tests are the means through which the body does this (PQE). The purpose of this exam is to assist Chartered Secretaries in keeping up-to-date with the ever-changing needs of their profession. 

The mission of the institution is to elevate the profession of public administration in the United States. Members of the institute participate in a wide variety of educational and networking opportunities, including courses, workshops, public talks, and roundtable discussions, all of which are designed to keep them up to date on the latest developments in their field. No other professional organization in Nigeria has the authority to conduct examinations for Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Register for the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria’s (ICSAN) Qualifying Examination

In order to register for the Institute’s exams, you must do so through the institute’s website. You can register for the ICSAN exam and apply for your exam on the ICSAN website. Update your profile, look at your results, and print your exam docket and letter of acceptance.

Your ICSAN Qualifying Examinations must be completed

The title “Grad ICSAN” will be added to your name as soon as you have successfully completed your examinations and paid your graduate fee. The institute also requires that you show a particular level of professional experience in order to become a full member and a Chartered Secretary.

Registration for students

Working as a secretary while going to school is a popular combination, and it’s not uncommon. A Higher National Diploma (HND), a Degree Certificate, or any other recognized professional qualification is required to register as a student and appear for the Institute’s professional examinations. To qualify for an exemption, a student must meet the following requirements: (s).

There are four programs in the International Professional Examinations course that include 16 courses (subjects).

• The second year of a three-year bachelor’s degree program is roughly equal to this course of study.
• Pre-Professional: This is the equivalent of a four-year college degree in preparation for a professional career.
• Master’s degree equivalent: Part 1 of the Professional Program
• A master’s degree in a professional program

This means that all of the institute’s courses are integrated and progressive, which necessitates prior knowledge. For Secretaries who already have a bachelor’s degree or above and an ICSAN Professional certification, the Federal Ministry of Education places them on advanced levels.

• The following are examples of professional exam topics:
• Business Environment and Communications as a Foundation
• Accounting in the Management of Commercial Enterprises

The Pre-Professional Business Lawyer’s Practice Marketing, Business Finance, and Corporate Strategy

Part I of the Professional Program

• Management of Strategic and Operational Initiatives
• Financial Accounting and Corporate Law
• Accounting for the management of the company

Part II of the Professional Program

• Corporations’ Management
• The job of a corporate secretary
• Management of the company’s finances
• The Administration of Business

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria has a set of entry requirements (ICSAN)

To be eligible for the ICSAN program, applicants must meet one or both of the following criteria:

That is, SSCE and GCE O’level results

OND or HND from an accredited university or Polytechnic recognized by the Council are acceptable degrees.

MSc, MBA, ACA, ACCA, ACMA, or any other Council-recognized professional credential will do.

The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (NICSA) has granted exemptions.

Administration and secretarial students do not have to take any of the foundational, pre-professional, or professional courses in Part 1 because their degrees qualify them for exemption.

Want to make money as a student in Nigeria? Here is a list of 21 Lucrative Side Hustles for Undergraduate Students.

Nigerian Chartered Secretary Job Prospects

They can be found in almost every industry in Nigeria, including government, banking, and the private sector. The following positions can be filled by a Chattered Secretary:

• Secretary of the Treasury
• Accountants in charge of financial reporting
• Chairpersons of the Department of Administration
• Directors of Corporations
• The Civil Service, the Armed Forces, and the Private and Public Sectors all use Chartered Secretaries on a regular basis.

Unique in its scope, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Nigeria (ICSAN) offers a wide variety of qualifying examinations. After graduation, a Chartered Secretary must be able to perform at his or her highest level as a Chartered Secretary. 

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria is the only professional body in Nigeria that offers a post-graduate certificate with such a broad scope (ICSAN). Training is provided in areas such as corporate governance, company law, management, financial administration, information systems, and corporate secretaryship to Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (CS&A).

Is a Chartered Secretary the same as a corporate secretary?

Non-executive directors, executives, and company secretaries are all hired by Chartered Secretaries. Some chartered secretaries are also referred to as corporate secretarial executives/managers or corporate secretarial directors in their own organizations.