Company Secretaries Workshop

5 Day Training

Dates: 09 – 13 December 2024 | 10 – 14 March | 12 – 16 May | 23 – 27 June | 06 – 10 October 2025
Locations: Grayston Ridge Office Park, Sandton
Platform: Available In-Class / Online

Price: Available on Request

Course Introduction

Company Secretaries tailored to the Southern African context involves covering key areas that are critical for the role. A Company Secretary in Southern Africa not only needs to understand the legal landscape but also needs to be adept at corporate governance, compliance, and the broader socio-economic environment of the region. The following outline is designed to provide a comprehensive overview and hands-on skills needed for an effective Company Secretary. This Prospen Africa Company Secretaries Workshop training course is designed to equip aspiring or current Company Secretaries with a comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the corporate governance framework specific to Southern Africa. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical workshops to ensure participants can apply what they learn directly to their roles.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this Company Secretaries Workshop, participants will be equipped with the skills and confidence to:

Gain insight into the fundamental principles of corporate governance.
Understand the application of the King IV Report on Corporate Governance specific to Southern Africa.
Learn the role of corporate governance in promoting sustainable development in the region.
Acquire knowledge of relevant legislation impacting corporate operations.
Develop skills in navigating the regulatory environment for both listed and unlisted companies.
Learn to create and manage a compliance calendar and identify/mitigate legal risks.
Understand different board structures and their implications.
Learn about the roles and responsibilities of directors and their interaction with the Company Secretary.
Gain expertise in planning, preparing for, and managing board meetings, including minute-taking and record-keeping.
Gain proficiency in interpreting financial statements.
Understand the Company Secretary’s role in financial oversight and the audit process.
Learn practical skills for reading financial statements and preparing annual reports.
Understand the importance of ethics and integrity in the corporate context.
Learn how to promote ethical practices within the company.
Gain insights into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Southern Africa and strategies for effective stakeholder engagement.

Who should attend?

This Company Secretaries Workshop is ideal for:

Aspiring Company Secretaries
Current Company Secretaries
Legal and Compliance Professionals
Board Members and Directors
Finance and Accounting Professionals
Stakeholder Engagement Specialists

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Corporate Governance and the Role of a Company Secretary

Introduction to Corporate Governance principles.
Overview of the King Report on Corporate Governance (King IV) and its application in Southern Africa.
The role of corporate governance in sustainable development in Southern Africa.
The legal status and the pivotal role of the Company Secretary.
Company Secretary as the bridge between the board and the business.
Case studies: Review of Company Secretaries’ roles in successful Southern African companies.

Day 2: Legal Framework and Regulatory Compliance

Overview of the Companies Act and other relevant legislation affecting corporate operations.
Understanding the regulatory environment for listed and unlisted companies.
Developing and managing a compliance calendar.
Risk management and compliance: Identifying and mitigating legal risks.
Workshop: Creating a compliance checklist tailored for a hypothetical company.

Day 3: Board Structures and Dynamics

Understanding different types of board structures.
Roles and responsibilities of directors and how they interact with the Company Secretary.
Diversity and inclusion on the board.
Planning and preparing for board meetings.
Minute-taking and maintaining board meeting records.
Case study: Analysing board meeting minutes and identifying areas of improvement.

Day 4: Financial Oversight and Reporting

Overview of financial statements and their interpretation.
The role of the Company Secretary in financial oversight.
Understanding audits and the Company Secretary’s role in the audit process.
Practical exercises on reading financial statements.
Workshop: Preparing an annual report – a step-by-step guide for Company Secretaries.

Day 5: Ethics, CSR, and Stakeholder Engagement

Understanding ethics and integrity in the corporate context.
Role of the Company Secretary in promoting ethical practices within the company.
Overview of CSR in Southern Africa.
Strategies for effective stakeholder engagement.
Workshop: Developing a CSR strategy for a hypothetical company.
Networking sessions with experienced Company Secretaries.
Q&A sessions with legal expert on specific Southern African legal issues.
Group discussions on day-to-day challenges faced by Company Secretaries and possible solutions.