Company Secretary Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Plans, administers and reviews corporate compliance activities and effective practice concerning company board meetings and shareholdings, ensuring all business matters and transactions are managed and implemented as directed by the board. May report to the chief financial officer.
What does a Company Secretary do?
A Company Secretary helps an organisation operate in line with corporate compliance practices and the board’s instructions. The role involves planning, administering and reviewing compliance activities linked to board meetings, shareholdings, business matters and transactions, and may involve reporting to the chief financial officer. A Board Secretary is a related specialisation, while Governance Professional is an alternative title.
Specialisations
Alternative job titles
How to become a Company Secretary in South Africa
- Build a foundation in corporate compliance, board processes, shareholdings and business transactions.
- Consider the Higher Certificate: Company Secretary, an NQF Level 5 qualification with 160 credits, as a relevant pathway.
- Consider the Diploma: Company Secretaryship, an NQF Level 6 qualification with 420 credits, as a direct pathway.
- Develop practical capability in organising board-related activities, reviewing compliance practices and implementing board-directed matters.
- Seek opportunities to gain relevant workplace exposure and increasing responsibility in governance or company-secretarial work; confirm current qualification, provider and related requirements with SAQA or an accredited provider.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
The listed qualifications provide relevant preparation for this career, but readers should confirm current registration, provider availability and assessment details before enrolling. Practical exposure to corporate compliance, board meetings, shareholdings and business transactions can help strengthen readiness for the role.
Useful school subjects
- English
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Computer Applications Technology
Skills that may help
- Corporate compliance awareness
- Organisation and administration
- Attention to detail
- Understanding board-related processes
- Reviewing business matters and transactions
- Written and verbal communication
- Record management
- Professional judgement