Introducing the CSSA

The Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA) is the formal professional Institute for the enabling of corporate governance and company secretaryship as well as the expert commentator and thought leader in Southern Africa on governance matters.

CGISA is the chartered membership and qualifying body for people working in company secretaryship, governance, risk, compliance and accounting.

The CGISA is:
– A registered professional body with SAQA; 
– A recognised controlling body for tax practitioners with SARS; 
– An accredited quality assurance partner with QCTO;
– Represented on the King committee.

Why become a Chartered Secretary?

• Becoming a Chartered Secretary represents a sound achievement and opens doors for a variety of career opportunities: Company Secretary, Governance Professional, Risk and Compliance Manager, Accountant, Finance Manager, Consultant, CEO, law…
• Gaining competitive edge with an enhanced professional identity – chartered professional qualifications instantly stand out to prospective employers
• It gives instant recognition of professional and academic achievement – being Chartered shows that one has reached a level of academic achievement and professional experience.
• The qualification is internationally recognised.
• Competitive remuneration potential with the current shortage of qualified and experienced Chartered Secretaries (and in light of the Companies Act and the King Code demand is on the increase).
• Belonging to a professional body enhances one’s professional life, gives one a good head-start and support structure whilst studying or starting out in one’s career.
• It is a recognised qualification for accountants and lawyers.
• Chartered Secretaries can act as Accounting Officers to Close Corporations and small companies.

HOW TO BECOME A CHARTERED SECRETARY:

STARTING THE CAREER:

 Register with the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA) on chartsec.co.za  and pay registration and examination fees

• If one already has an appropriate degree, they then undertake the professional courses of the Institute culminating with the International Qualifying Board Examination.
• For persons without matric, the Institute of Business Studies' ("IBS") Diploma can be accepted as an entrance requirement for the CGISAqualification. The IBS programme offers a course in business-related subjects and is available through the CGISA.
• Once registered withCGISA, the student can enrol for classes with Synercademy: this can be done online or by calling, emailing  or visiting us in person.

MEMBERSHIP:

As CGISA is a professional body, membership is not automatic and is granted on the basis of academic achievements, personal and professional ethics, working experience and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

• First Stage: successfully completing the CSSA Board Qualifying Examinations and paying the first graduate fee earns one the designation GradICSA, which can be used after one’s name.
• Full membership is at two levels:
  • Chartered Secretary Associate (ACIS): after a GradICSA has gained the necessary practical experience and is deemed to be of appropriate ethical character, they are admitted as a member at Associate level, and
  • Fellow (FCIS): the highest level of membership, on admission of which a Chartered Secretary may include the prestigious "FCIS" designation after their name.

Membership offers employers ‘watchdog' accountability with recourse to the Institute's disciplinary proceedings in the case of misconduct and/or breach by a Member of the Institute's Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.