Company secretaries are responsible to the directors and are usually responsible for filling in the paperwork associated with confirmation statements.
There is no longer a legal requirement to appoint a company secretary, however companies with only one director will often require a second signature on legal documentation (for example when you open a bank account). If you do not appoint a company secretary this documentation will need to be signed by an appointed witness and many companies are still opting to appoint a company secretary.
Company secretaries usually perform the duty of maintaining the company statutory registers. This includes:
- the register of members
- the register of company directors and secretaries
- the register of directors’ interests
- the register of charges
- issuing share certificates
- recording the transfer of share ownership
Company secretaries may also have to construct a statement of the company’s affairs if an administrative receiver or professional liquidator is appointed, or if a winding-up order is made.
