16 Park Crescent, London, W1B 1AH
T: +44 (0)20 7580 4741
F: +44 (0)20 7323 1132
W: www.icsa.org.uk
The ICSA is the world’s leading authority on corporate governance; working alongside governments it represents the interest of organisations where legislation is concerned and promotes best practice in business management.
It is also the professional qualifying body for Chartered Secretaries. Their International Qualifying Scheme (IQS) offers the broadest study of business disciplines of any profession and an accelerated route to the position of company secretary. A well remunerated board-level role, company secretaries oversee the smooth running of businesses: directing shareholder and pension schemes, advising senior colleagues on areas such as governance, corporate law and risk and influencing the direction of corporate strategy.
Chartered Secretaries work across all industries, operate in public and private sectors and run their own companies providing company secretarial services. With the opportunity to work overseas, becoming a Chartered Secretary is a passport to arguably the most diverse, challenging and rewarding career among leading business professions.
The ICSA supports its members and students and those seeking advice and guidance on corporate governance and regulatory issues.
The Institute was founded in 1891 and received a Royal Charter in 1902. Through its subsidiary companies, the ICSA is a leading provider of conferences, boardroom evaluation and dedicated software for company secretaries and directors. It also publishes its own Chartered Secretary magazine together with a range of books in topic areas including corporate governance, company law and practice and law for business.
The ICSA mission is: Growing the Chartered Secretary profession through standards, training, revenues and reputation.
The total membership is 44,000 with members in many parts of the world including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Southern Africa. The Institute also has 28,000 students worldwide. Graduates take the ICSA's International Qualifying Scheme which is a fast track qualification covering
- business;
- company law;
- corporate governance;
- management;
- finance;
- administration and;
- company secretaryship.
No other professional body provides a post graduate qualification that is as broad based as the ICSA's. Once qualified, and after completion of work experience, graduates become members of ICSA and can use the designatory letters ACIS (Associate of the Institute) and then FCIS (Fellow of the Institute) after their names.
