A Company Secretary is a highly qualified and well-respected expert and plays a crucial role in managing and auditing the compliances of a company. The scope of a Company Secretary (CS) has exceeded national boundaries in the connected global economy of today. Professionals in Company Secretaries are finding great prospects abroad due to their proficiency in corporate governance, legal compliance, and analytical skills.

·      Is there any CS scope abroad?

Yes, the scope of the CS is in India as well as abroad. Many company secretaries are already employed in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and other nations. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide reciprocal paper-wise exemption and membership for their members, with the goal of extending the parameters for our professionals.

The following is the Memorandum of Understanding with ICSI:-

·      MOU with ICSA, London

•   The ICSI and the Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland linked an MOU that allows for reciprocal exemptions on a mutual basis after meeting the high standards examination and recognizing each other's efforts to promote the best practices in company secretaries, professional education, and administration.
•  ICSI members are exempt from passing fourteen of the seventeen exams, and in order to join the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI), they must complete the following three core exams:

1. Corporate secretaries
2.  Corporate law
3. Corporate Administration

• Members of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India who have been in good standing for a minimum of two years are eligible to apply for the MOU. 

·  MOU with CISI, London

·       Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ICSI and The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), London, states that ICSI will provide its students and members with elective courses in wealth management, fund management, investment banking, capital markets, and commodities markets as part of the MOU.

·       CISI has given special recognition to ICSI students who have finished the "Executive Program," which would enable them to obtain the "International Investment Administration Qualification (IAQ)".

·       The ICSI membership is also accepted by CISI as a prerequisite for associate level (ACSI) automatic membership in CISI. Application for membership would be open to senior ICSI practitioners in the securities and investment sector. 

·      Work opportunities for an Indian CS in abroad

The following are the career opportunities for an Indian CS in abroad:-

1.   Contract Drafting : -
   An individual who is qualified as both a lawyer and a company secretary is aware of the financial and legal ramifications between the parties and can even assist the parties in drafting the contract. Contract drafting is more extensive in abroad. Scope of earning via contract drafting ranges between USD 10 – 300 and differs on the work basis.

2. Content Writing : -
   The scope of content writing is more than outside India. Content writing is a great opportunity for CS. Writing about financial and legal topics allows a CS to pursue an effective career in content writer.

3. Freelancer  :-
   A CS can also get employment on Up work and Fiverr; one can find work opportunities include compliance, reviewing and vetting various company-related papers, drafting and negotiating, and even contributing to the drafting of minutes for meetings such as AGMs.

·      Countries Where You Can Work as a CS 

1.         United States

2.         Canada

3.         The United Kingdom

4.         Singapore

5.         Malaysia

6.         Thailand

7.         Australia

8.         New Zealand

9.         The Middle East

10.   Africa

11.   Hong Kong

12.   Zimbabwe

13.   South Africa

·      Which country is best for an Indian CS? 

Singapore and Australia are the best countries for CS practitioners. Every company in Singapore is required to designate a CS. Professionals in CS can pursue their selected career paths in Australia according to an ICSI course that provides membership in the Chartered Secretary Australia.

·Which industries/firms abroad hire Company Secretaries? 

Following are the examples of industries/ firms hiring CSs in abroad:-

1.   Multinational Corporations 

o  Nestle

o  Unilever

o  Shell

o  HSBC

2.   Financial Services firms 

o  Banks

o  Investment banks

o  Other financial institutions

3.   Law firms 

4.   Accounting firms  

5.   Regulatory Bodies etc. 

6.   Bigger corporate organisations 

7.   Airport Authority of India 

8.   Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) 

9.   ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) 

10. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited 

11. Government Financial Institution 

12. Stock Exchange 

13. Bureau of Public Enterprises 

14. PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) 

15. Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) 

16. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) 

·      Salary structure of CS 

Conclusion 

Opportunities for company secretaries exist abroad in addition to India. The next ten years will see a significant increase in the number of commerce students pursuing careers as company secretaries. To achieve success in this field, one must acquire a great deal of knowledge, experience, and qualifications that are required. Don't wait if you want to succeed in India and other countries. Start working towards being a skilled Company Secretary and achieve success around the world.

Refer CS Executive Test Series, CS Professional Test Series, CS Test Series to clear CS in First attempt.

Also check

·   Registration process of CS

·   Scope of CS in India

.   CS Professional Exam Date