Certificate

Become an effective company secretary on your board. Maintain transparency, fairness and accountability in the boardroom.

Start your journey

Commitment

3-5 hours

What you’ll learn

The Effective Company Secretary

Certificate Fee

€495

Format

Online, self paced

Why Being an Effective Company Secretary is Essential

The Company Secretary is crucial to the successful operation of your board, as well as being a legal requirement in many types of companies. Harness your knowledge.

What delegates say about our courses:

“The Diploma in Corporate Governance was excellent. It was an eye opener for me and I learnt an immense amount from the course and tutors.”

Raj Kambo

Delegate

“Excellent programme, content very relevant to existing and aspiring board members. Excellent support provided by the team in CGI and the online format worked very well.”

Audrey Boyde

Delegate

“There was plenty of help and support available and patience as I engaged and learned. Very much appreciated the materials, delivery, and support.”

David Moore

Delegate

“Challenging course but well delivered by an excellent team. Course materials very professional and lectures from a high calibre team with vast practical experience.”

John Hennessy

Delegate

What you will learn

Bring your understanding of how to be an effective company secretary to the next level with this in depth insight into the legal basis for the role, how the role has evolved and its multiple aspects.

Fundamentals
Roles and Responsibilities

Gain a deep understanding of the roles of the company secretary such as administration, running board meetings, record keeping, execution of documents and advisory assistance.

Tips
Leadership

Learn how to effectively model good leadership behaviour in relation to good corporate governance such as organisational skills and the importance of personal values.

Careers
Relationship Management

Be fully aware how to build good relations with key stakeholders and the board, and how to be a solutions provider and trusted advisor.

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Technology in the boardroom

Gain a solid understanding of the company secretary’s role in analysing, adopting and deploying new approaches and technology in the boardroom.

Looking to deepen your ESG leadership skills and insights?
Discover more about the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

How you will apply your learning

You will confidently be able to answer the following questions:

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Is the board and its directors effectively performing their responsibilities within the legal requirements?

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Is the organisation maintaining the appropriate governance systems and processes?

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Are the board papers contributing to effective decision making by the board?

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Is best practice in minute taking being followed and are the unique legal requirements for minute taking in specific situations be adhered to?

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Are statutory returns being filed appropriately and are documents, including legal documents, being managed and retained as required?

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Are the organisation’s legal and regulatory obligations, including advisory governance codes, being communicated effectively before and during board meetings?

Who will be teaching the course?

Gerry Egan

Gerry is an experienced chairman, company director and company secretary with over 30 years of experience in a commercial state company where he held several senior executive roles and led significant transformation programmes. He currently serves on the boards of Carmichael and Dóchas.

gerry-egan

Take the next step

Enrol now to become an effective company secretary

Frequently asked questions

Browse these questions and answers to help your research

The 'Effective Company Secretary' Certificate enhances skills and knowledge for current and aspiring company secretaries. It focuses on responsibilities, legal obligations, and best practices essential for managing corporate governance effectively within an organisation.

The course is ideal for existing company secretaries, governance professionals, legal officers, and anyone aiming to move into a company secretary role within public, private, or non-profit organisations.

The course is delivered entirely online and follows a self-paced format. It includes a comprehensive array of instructional methods such as video lectures, interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and downloadable resources. This flexible approach allows participants to access and engage with the course material at their convenience from any location, facilitating an effective learning experience tailored to individual schedules and learning preferences.

Participants will need to complete the certificate within three months, at their individual pace of study. The total fees for the certificate program are listed on the enrollment page and include full access to all required learning materials, assessments, and the online learning platform. This comprehensive fee structure ensures participants have all the resources needed to successfully complete their certification.

Participants have the option to pay the full course fee upfront using our secure online checkout. Alternatively, for those seeking a more flexible payment solution, a payment plan through Klarna is available, which allows the fee to be divided into manageable monthly instalments. Both payment options can be selected during the checkout process, providing convenience and flexibility to suit different financial preferences.

The programme includes 1 graded assessment and several ungraded assessments designed to test your understanding and application of governance principles covered in the course. These typically consist of multiple-choice questions, multiple select questions, matching questions, and true/false questions.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a digital certificate that recognises their proficiency and expertise in this course.. This certificate can be added to their professional profiles, such as LinkedIn, to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills. This certification not only validates their understanding but also enhances their credibility and professional standing, making it a valuable asset for career advancement and professional networking.

Yes, international professionals can enrol in this certificate as the course is delivered entirely online. This accessibility allows participants from anywhere in the world with an internet connection to access and benefit from the course content. The online format ensures that professionals from diverse locations can enhance their skills and knowledge conveniently, making it a globally accessible educational opportunity.

Participants in the course have access to a comprehensive support system designed to ensure a smooth and enriching learning experience. This includes dedicated assistance for both academic and platform-related queries, enabling participants to address any challenges they encounter swiftly. Additionally, the course offers access to peer discussion forums, which provide a dynamic environment for students to interact, share insights, and enhance their understanding collaboratively. Beyond the course content, participants can also benefit from a range of webinars and masterclasses delivered by industry experts, offering further learning opportunities and deep dives into specific topics. Membership in the course community may also grant additional resources and benefits, further supporting participants' professional development and networking opportunities.

After enrolling in the course, participants can access the course materials for a period of 3 months. This allows you to revisit and consolidate your knowledge during this timeframe. However, please note that access to the materials is not available beyond this 3-month period from the date of enrolment, regardless of the completion status of the certificate.