The job of the company secretary has changed over the years, both in perception and in fact. As long ago as 1971 the influential judge Lord Denning commented that the secretary "is an officer of the company with extensive duties and responsibilities… He is no longer a mere clerk." That process has accelerated more recently, with the post coming to play a key role in the governance of many companies.

The role is not clerical or secretarial. 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.

The secretary of every company having a turnover or stated capital of an amount prescribed under the Companies Act, shall have qualifications as prescribed, having regard to the nature of the duties the Secretary will be called upon to discharge.