The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries
New Students Orientation
15 March 2012
The Secretary Bird
Key Characteristics
- Alertness
- Vigilance
- Confidentiality
- High Ethical Standard
The Hong Kong Institute of
Chartered Secretaries (HKICS)
1949 - Association of Institute of Chartered Secretaries &
Administrators in Hong Kong
1990 - ICSA-HK Ltd.
1994 - Local institute status:
The Hong Kong Institute of Company Secretaries
(HKICS); ICSA Hong Kong Division
Aug 2005 - The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered
Secretaries (HKICS); ICSA China Division
3
Recognition
Direct
Professional
Access
e
uste
r
T
as
tcy
Act ankrup
In B ases
C
y
al ar
on et
si cr
es Se
of y
Pr pan
om
C
Hong Kong
Exchanges &
Clearing Ltd
香港交易所
HKICS
Membership
Co
mp
S
e
a
lis
ted creta ny
r
Co y o
mp f
an
ies
Hong Kong
Certif
Monetary
yd
For th ocuments
e
Authority
of Ban opening
k Acc
ounts
香港金融管理局
Hong Kong Bar
Association
香港大律師公會
Official Receiver’s
Office
破產管理署
Companies
Registry
公司註冊處
HKICS Members’ Profile
2%
1%
Listed Com pany
0%
Private Lim ited Com pany
2%
3%
Partnership/Professional Firm
3%
39%
21%
Governm ent/ Quasi-governm ent
Organisation
Further/ Higher Education
Sole Proprietor/ Self-em ployed
Association/Society
29%
Statutory B ody
Source : HKICS Annual Report 2011
Others
- International
- Portable
- Professional
Canada
UK
Southern
Africa/
Zimbabwe
China
Malaysia
Singapore
Over 40,000 members and
24,000 students among all
divisions…
Australia, New
Zealand
China Division
Members: 5537
Students: 3141
(As of 14 March 2012)
Professional Standing
The Chartered Secretary
ACIS – Associate of ICSA
ACS – Associate of HKICS
FCIS – Fellow of ICSA
FCS – Fellow of HKICS
FCS(PE); ACS(PE) – Practitioners Endorsement
PE - Accumulate a minimum of 15 CPD points in each CPD year and
fulfill at least 30 CPD points within two consecutive CPD years
Mandatory CPD
Launched on 1 August 2011
15 CPD / ECPD points per year (from 1 August to 31 July)
Staged approach
Phase
Applicable to Members
who are qualified
Commencement date for
compliance with mandatory
CPD requirements
1
on or after 1 Jan 2005
1 Aug 2011
2
1 Jan 2000 to 31 Dec 2004
1 Aug 2013
3
1 Jan 1995 to 31 Dec 1999
1 Aug 2015
4
on or before 31 Dec 1994
1 Aug 2017
Mandatory CPD
-
Newly elected Associate on or after 1 August 2011 are
required to comply with the MCPD requirements starting from
the CPD Year immediately following the year of election to
Associate.
e.g. Associated elected date: 1 August 2012
Compliance of MCPD requirement: from 1 August 2013
(required to accumulate 15 CPD or ECPD points starting from
the 2012/13 Year)
Corporate Secretaries
International Association (CSIA)
- An international federation of professional bodies that
launched on 22 March 2010 in Paris to promote corporate
secretaryship and good governance.
-
Member organisations : Hong Kong/China, UK, US, Canada,,
Kenya, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand
and South Africa
-
April Chan FCIS FCS (PE), the HKICS Immediate President,
was the first CSIA President
-
www.csiaorg.com
Corporate Secretaries
International Association (CSIA)
-
The 1st International Corporate Governance Conference was
held in Shanghai on 21-23 Sep 2011, with the Shanghai Stock
Exchange being the co-organiser.
-
Over 180 international experts and delegates attended to
deliberate and discuss under the conference’s theme:
“Sustainable Corporate Governance – Towards a Global
Model? (可持續的公司治理 - 達至全球模式?)
達至全球模式?)
Development in China
Affiliated Persons (AP) Programme (聯席成員計劃)
聯席成員計劃)
-
Launched in 2004
Recruit Board Secretaries of H-share listed companies as
APs for attending HKICS CPD training
Seminars to be held in 2012:
17-18 May 2012
Seminar on “内部控制與有效治理” in Shanghai (上海)
上海)
28-29 Jul 2012
Seminar on “併購與企業可持續發展" in Kunming (昆明
昆明)
昆明)
11-14 Sep 2012
“香港境外上市公司企業規管高級研修班” in Hong Kong
27-29 Nov 2012
Seminar on “年度財務審計與業績報告” in Xiamen (廈門)
廈門) or
Beijing (北京)
北京
Shanghai Stock Exchange and HKICS –
Memorandum of Understanding signing
ceremony (Jan 2011)
Affiliated Persons (AP) ECPD seminars
in Qingdao (May 2011)
Shenzhen Study tour (Dec 2011)
Regional Board Secretaries Roundtable
(February 2012)
Shanghai
Shenzhen
Corporate Governance Blog
An online platform for corporate governance professionals and
practitioners to post your comment
www.governancemaze.org/blog.html
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International Qualifying Scheme (IQS)
Examinations
IQS Examinations
• Students are required to enter at least ONE
examination diet within the first two years of
registration.
• Students are required to complete the examinations
within a period of SIX years from the date of first
registration.
• Studentship extension: students who would like to
apply for studentship extension must submit the
Studentship extension form together with supporting
two months before the studentship expiry date.
IQS Examinations
• Examination enrolment:
March 1 - March 31 (for June exam)
September 1- September 30 (for December exam)
• Exam postponement application:
Only medical reason will be accepted for exam
postponement. Application and medical certificate
MUST reach the Institute within 3 calendar weeks after
the completion of the entire examination diet.
IQS Examinations
With effect from June 2011 examination diet, the
IQS examination question paper rubric is changed
as follows:
Section A (40 marks): A case study with a maximum
of five compulsory questions
Section B (60 marks): Answer three out of five
questions
(Total: 100 marks)
Past papers are available at the Institute’s website
(Student log in area)
IQS Examinations
Time-frame
3 hours (15 minutes reading time before start of examination)
Mark range
Distinction: 75% or over
Merit: 65 – 74%
Pass: 50 – 64%
Fail A: 46 – 49%
Fail B: 40 – 45%
Fail C: 20 – 39%
Fail D: 0 – 19%
HKICS Subject Prize and
Merit Certificate
Subject prize:
Candidates who achieve the highest mark in
“Distinction” grade of the respective International
Qualifying Scheme subjects
Merit certificate:
Candidates who achieve 65 marks or above will
receive a “Merit Certificate
IQS Examinations Supports
A. Preparatory Course – HKU SPACE
(commence every March, June and September)
B.
Examination Technique Workshops
(to be organised every May and November)
C.
Study materials
-
Study Outlines
Past exam papers/ Suggested answers / Examiners’ Reports
(website login area – accessible to registered students only)
-
“CSJ” (monthly journal)/ e-circular
Guidance Notes / Bulletin Board Update / Research Reports
at the Institute’s website
Examination Technique Workshop
• Workshops are designed for students who have substantial
background and knowledge on the respective examination
subjects in preparation on the techniques for the exams.
• Prior to the workshops, enrolled students will receive mock
questions prepared by the tutors.
• Students are advised to answer the mock questions before
attending the workshop and to run through the answers with the
tutor during the workshop.
Fee: HK$350 per workshop
Application Deadline: 16 April 2012 (Mon)
IQS Examinations Support
HKICS Study outline (CD)
Available in:
- Hong Kong Taxation
- Corporate Administration
- Corporate Secretaryship
- Hong Kong Corporate Law
- Corporate Governance Supplement
Maintenance of studentship
• Student renewal fees are due each year on the
anniversary of the date of registration.
• Two months before the studentship expiry date:
Debit note will be posted to students
• Payment reminders are sent via SMS and email
- One month before studentship expiry date
- One month after studentship expiry date
- One week before removal
Maintenance of studentship
Students are obliged to provide correct and
updated correspondence (including mobile number,
email and correspondence address) to avoid any
miscommunication.
Should there be any changes, student must inform
the Secretariat as soon as possible.
Exemptions
• Exemption Sub-Committee (ESC) approval is on
monthly basis
• Students will receive the Exemption confirmation letter
• Student MUST settle the exemptions payment by due
date (within 3 months from the date of the letter)
• Failing to settle the exemption fees, approved
exemptions status will be forfeited
• Student is required to apply for Exemptions reapplication. Approval is to be confirmed by the ESC
• Re-submit ALL educational and/or qualification
documents for exemptions re-application
IQS Exemptions Guideline
(for reference only)
Exemption granted under IQS
Subjects under IQS
Relevant Degrees/ Professional
Qualifications
Non-relevant
Degrees
Accounting /
Finance
Any
disciplines
Law
Management
Professional Programme Part I
N.A
N.A.
N.A.
N.A
Hong Kong Financial Accounting
N.A
Hong Kong Taxation
N.A.
N.A
Corporate Governance
N.A
N.A
N.A
N.A
Corporate Secretaryship
N.A
N.A
N.A
N.A
N.A
N.A
N.A
Strategic & Operations Management
Hong Kong Corporate Law
Professional Programme Part II
Corporate Financial Management
Corporate Administration
N.A.
N.A
N.A
N.A
**All exemption applications are subject to final approval by Exemption Sub Committee
IQS Exemptions Guideline
(for reference only)
Relevant professional accounting qualifications refers to
members (or Certified Public Accountants) of:
1. Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)
2. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
3. CPA Australia
4. Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA)
5. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
6. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
(Approved by Education Committee in October 2010)
**All exemption applications are subject to final approval by Exemption Sub Committee
IQS Exemptions Guideline
(for reference only)
1. Membership of Associations of International Accountants
(AIA) is NOT considered as relevant accounting
qualification for exemption assessment purpose.
2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is considered as relevant
finance qualification for exemption assessment purpose.
(Approved by Education Committee in October 2010)
**All exemption applications are subject to final approval by Exemption Sub Committee
IQS Exemptions Guideline
(for reference only)
1. Bachelor of Law and Juris Doctors degrees from recognised
universities in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas
countries are considered as relevant legal qualification for
exemption assessment.
2. Master of Law degree is NOT considered as relevant legal
qualification for exemption assessment purpose.
(Approved by Education Committee in October 2010)
**All exemption applications are subject to final approval by Exemption Sub Committee
Collaborative Courses
Graduates of the following courses are entitled to
apply for full exemptions of the HKICS IQS
1.
2.
3.
City University of Hong Kong
Master of Science in Professional Accounting and
Corporate Governance (Corporate Governance Stream)
(MScPACG)
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Master of Corporate Governance (MCG)
The Open University of Hong Kong
Master of Corporate Governance (MCG)
CCA new students orientations are held with the
universities respectively. The CCA registration and policies
are presented at the orientations.
Academic Qualifications
Membership Journey
-Relevant Degree (Law;
Accounting; Finance;
Management)
-Non-relevant Degree
-Postgraduate Diploma
-Postgraduate Degree
Professional Qualifications
(Grained by examinations)
-ACCA
-HKICPA
-CIMA
-AICPA
-CGA Canada
-CPA Australia
-Law Society
Collaborative Courses (CCA)
-City University of Hong Kong
Master of Science in Professional
Accounting & Corporate Governance
(Corporate Administration stream)
-Open University of Hong Kong
Master of Corporate Governance
-The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Master of Corporate Governance
3- 6 yrs
relevant
working
experience
(Note: full exemptions granted are subject to
the conditions stipulated by the Institute)
Recognized Sub-degree Qualifications
(with min. English Requirement)
1. Institute of Business Administration and
Management (IBAM)
Advance Diploma in Business Administration
(phase out in 31 Dec 2012)
2. Caritas Institute of Higher Education
Higher Diploma in Corporate Management
(phase out in 31 Dec 2013)
3. Institute of Administrative Management (IAM)
Advanced Diploma in Administrative Management
(phase out in 31 Dec 2012)
Graduate (ICSAGrad)
Associate (ACS, ACIS)
International Qualifying Scheme (IQS)
Professional Programme I
-Strategic and Operations Management
-Hong Kong Corporate Law
-Hong Kong Financial Accounting
-Hong Kong Taxation
Professional Programme II
-Corporate Governance
-Corporate Secretaryship
-Corporate Administration
-Corporate Financial Management
8 yrs relevant
working
experience at
senior level
Fellow (FCS, FCIS)
What is relevant work experience
for membership application?
Relevant Work Experience:
– Company Secretary
– General Management / Administration
– Legal / Human Resources Management /
Pension Management
– Accounting, Audit & Finance
Examples of job positions that required
to submit supplementary form
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Executive/Personal/
Administrative Assistant
Sales and Marketing positions
Assistant to CEO/CFO/M.D.
(Managing Director)/Executive
Director/Directors/General
Manager
Trade mark assistant
Product marketing
representative/
officer/Assistant
Secretary/Junior Secretary/
Senior
Secretary/Executive
Secretary/Legal Secretary
h. Transport officer
i. Teacher
j. Clerical officer
k. Liaison Officer
l. International Liaison Assistant
m. Sales executive/officers
n. Research assistant/ officer
o. Assistant/Senior Operation Officer
p. Equity Analyst
q. Senior Trustee Assistant
r. HR Generalist
Contacts
Address
3/F, Hong Kong Diamond Exchange Building, 8 Duddell Street,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel:
2881 6177
Fax:
2881 5050
Email:
student@hkics.org.hk
Website:
www.hkics.org.hk