Corporate Administration
Professional Programme

Background

This topic reflects the typical mixture of responsibilities of an Assistant Secretary of a listed PLC. It is practical exam which addresses the headline issues on a range of topics including pensions, risk management andiInsurance, corporate information needs including Data Protection legislation, employment law issues and practices, disaster recovery plans, Intellectual Property management, facilities management and outsourcing, and Elements of Tax.

It links clearly with Business and Corporate law, Corporate Governance and Corporate Secretaryship.

The Exam

The exam is based on understanding the past, and present situation with a view to future developments.

• Syllabus
• Schedules of Lectures
• Results
• Past questions

The Teaching

12 weeks – 3 hours a week plus two Saturday sessions.

The lectures are designed to cover the entire syllabus, it has a considerable amount of background reading over and above the ICSA manual. The format will include PowerPoint presentation slides, discussion and debate. It may also include attendance at AGMs to see corporate governance in action.

The ability to discuss and argue the pros and cons of statements clearly and cogently is key to success. See "Writing with power and clarity".

A two day revision course is offered on Nov 13 and 14 in central London for £235 including VAT .( Link to the revision page for CA)

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Corporate Administration (Professional Programme - November 2002 and onwards)

Syllabus

AIM

The Chartered Secretary is regularly employed in a position of strategic responsibility for administrative operations within and across the organisation. The aim of the module is to instil knowledge and key skills in handling the responsibilities of corporate administration in both the strategic and functional contexts, to develop competence in advising the Board and leading teams in administrative best practice, and in ensuring compliance with external regulation and internal procedures.

More information on the syllabus is available here.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the conclusion of this module, the candidate will be able to:

• Understand the scope of strategic and functional administration and apply it within the employing or client organisation.
• Access information sources and deliver knowledge and information internally to the optimum benefit of the organisation and its needs.
• Evaluate the requirements of the legal and regulatory environment in corporate administration, advise the Board accordingly, and ensure compliance.
• Take responsibility for the administration of corporate knowledge and information, the human resource, pension schemes, insurance and risk, and physical corporate assets.
• Understand the impact of corporate taxation on administration and ensure taxation compliance within systems.

PRE-REQUISITE LEARNING

Evidence of assessed pre-requisite knowledge and understanding in the following disciplines must be demonstrated through the Institute's examinations, or those of equivalent qualifications which have been approved as meeting the Institute's required curriculum and standards:

• Corporate Law
• Strategic and Operations Management

LEARNING CONTENT

Role and Functions

The role and functions of the corporate administrator. Administration as a support service in organisations. The concept of best practice. The sources and application of guides to best practice.

Knowledge and Information

The sources of information on law, regulation and administrative best practice. Copyright and intellectual property, including asset protection. Trademarks and patents. Information, data and technology as a corporate resource. Technological change and innovation: internet and website applications and management. Security and integrity of information; control of access. Data protection legislation. Confidentiality.

The Human Resource

Employment law and regulation. The employment contract. Concepts of added value and continuous improvement. Securing and monitoring the people resource: human resource planning, recruitment and selection, job descriptions and person specifications. Maximising performance: job design; job enrichment; reward and recognition systems; job evaluation. Training and development. Coaching and counselling. Performance appraisal. Working with consultants and volunteers. Health and safety at work: legislation and practice.

Pensions, Insurance and Risk

Pensions: their relevance and purposes. Scheme types - occupational, state, personal. Stakeholder pensions and group personal pensions. The management and proper control of pension schemes. The impact of legislation. Funds and their management. Principles and practice of trusteeship; administrative secretaryship and support. The duties of trustees in law. Trust deeds and rules.

The nature of corporate and business risks; management and control. Corporate liability and insurance: classes and types. The insurance market; brokers and intermediaries. The use of consultants and advisers. Disaster planning.

Corporate Taxation

The impact of corporate taxation: Corporation Tax; Sales, Value Added or Goods and Services Taxes, Income Tax. Corporate responsibilities under law and regulation.

Corporate Assets

The management of physical assets. Facilities administration: role and functions. Security and the application of systems.

Schedule of lectures

Teaching plan

Reading material

• ICSA manual and quality publications
• Membership of ICSA Company Secretary’s Group
• Internal information from your organisation

Results

Date	Percentage pass	Distinctions	Merits	Prizes
June 2004	100%
Dec 2003
June 2003
Dec 2002	100%		2	1
June 2002
Dec 2001
June 2001	100%
Dec 2000	100%
June 2000	100%
Dec 1999	82%
June 1999	100%

Percentages are calculated by reference to the number of students who sat the exam and not those who applied to take the exam.

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