The CIS course of study prepares candidates for Chartered Secretaryship. It is a tough and rigorous course, in keeping with the intense demands made on the Chartered Secretary in his or her chosen specialised field, whether it be a Company Secretary, Accountant, Accounting Officer, Administrator or Manager.

The South African Law School was established in 1996 and is an accredited training provider specialising in legal education and training.

The School has been accredited by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators (ICSA) to provide training for the CIS programme.

The School will offer CIS 1 on a full-time and part-time basis. CIS 2 & 3 will be offered on a part-time basis only

CIS: The Internationally recognised qualification that paves the way for a career as:

COMPANY SECRETARY (or ACCOUNTING OFFICER or ADMINISTRATOR)

WHAT IS A COMPANY SECRETARY?

Every successful, well-run organisation needs a governance professional who, as part of the senior management team, can instill a culture of sound governance and act as a trusted adviser on key issues.

In a rapidly changing, increasingly complex business environment, employers and investors are demanding that those charged with governance responsibilities have the skills and expertise to promote excellence in corporate conduct and administration. This can only be achieved by a genuine governance professional.

A Company Secretary is a senior position in a company or public organisation, normally in the form of a managerial position or above. Despite the name, the role is not a clerical or secretarial one in the usual sense. The Company Secretary ensures that an organisation complies with relevant legislation and regulation, and keeps board members informed of their legal responsibilities. Company Secretaries are the company’s named representative on legal documents, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the company and its directors operate within the law. It is also their responsibility to register and communicate with shareholders, to ensure that dividends are paid and to maintain company records, such as lists of directors and shareholders, and annual reports.

In many countries, companies have traditionally been required by law to appoint one person as a company secretary, and this person will also usually be a senior board member.

Company Secretaries in all sectors have high level responsibilities including governance structures and mechanisms, corporate conduct within an organisation's regulatory environment, board, shareholder and trustee meetings, compliance with legal, regulatory and listing requirements, the training and induction of non-executives and trustees, contact with regulatory and external bodies, reports and circulars to shareholders/trustees, management of employee benefits such as pensions and employee share schemes, insurance administration and organisation, the negotiation of contracts, risk management, property administration and organisation and the interpretation of financial accounts.

Company Secretaries are the primary source of advice on the conduct of business and this can span everything from legal advice, through accounting advice on financial reports, to the development of strategy and corporate planning. The Company Secretary may be qualified by virtue of examination and membership (CIS) of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), which is the only qualification specifically for Company Secretaries. ICSA is the only body dedicated to the advancement and recognition of professional administration. Only a person thus qualified is entitled to be designated a 'Chartered Secretary'.