Company secretary qualification requirements at AFA—Junior Secretary Associates earn RM2,500–RM3,200，and fresh graduates are welcome

(Johor Bahru, 20 July 2026) — If you are exploring a career as a company secretary in Malaysia, understanding the Company Secretary qualification requirements is your essential first step. Under Section 235 and Section 241 of the Companies Act 2016 (CA 2016), anyone wishing to act as a company secretary must be a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and hold a valid practising certificate issued by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). This means that regardless of your academic background, you cannot legally practise without first registering with SSM and obtaining the required licence. This guide walks you through every requirement — from academic qualifications and work experience to the application process, professional body pathways, and continuing professional education obligations — so you can confidently plan your entry into this vital profession.

Who Is Eligible to Become a Company Secretary?

Before diving into the academic and experience details, you must first meet the basic eligibility criteria set out by SSM. According to the Companies Act 2016, a qualified company secretary must be:

• A natural person (not a corporation)
• At least 18 years of age
• A Malaysian citizen or permanent resident
• Ordinarily residing in Malaysia, with a principal place of residence in the country

Additionally, you must not be an undischarged bankrupt, nor have been convicted of any offence referred to in Section 198 of the Companies Act 2016 (whether in or outside Malaysia). You must also have no pending legal proceedings against you under the Companies Act 2016 or any related legislation. These are non-negotiable prerequisites that every applicant must satisfy before SSM will even consider your licence application.

Academic Qualifications and Experience: What SSM Requires

One of the most common questions asked by aspiring company secretaries is: what academic qualifications does a company secretary need, and does a company secretary job require experience? The answer is yes — experience is mandatory, but the required duration depends directly on your highest academic qualification.

SSM has established a clear tiered structure linking academic qualifications to the minimum years of relevant working experience. The table below summarises the official requirements:

Highest Academic Qualification	Minimum Relevant Work Experience
SPM / STPM or equivalent (with at least a credit in Bahasa Malaysia or English)	5 years
Certificate in company law, company secretarial practice, management, business administration, or accounting	3 years
Diploma in company law, company secretarial practice, management, business administration, or accounting	2 years
Degree in company law, company secretarial practice, management, business administration, or accounting	1 year

If you hold a relevant degree, you only need one year of hands-on experience in company secretarial practice before you can apply for the SSM licence. This means Fresh Grads can become company secretaries — you simply start as a company secretary assistant or junior company secretary, accumulate the required experience, and then progress to a fully licensed professional. The Company Secretary career development path typically follows this trajectory: Company Secretary Assistant → Junior Company Secretary → Company Secretary → Senior Company Secretary → Head of Company Secretarial Department.

The Practising Certificate: What Licences and Certifications Are Needed?

A critical question many ask is: what licences and certifications does a company secretary need? The answer is straightforward — you must obtain a Practising Certificate from SSM under Section 241 of the Companies Act 2016. This requirement has been in effect since 15 March 2019.

There are two pathways to qualify for the practising certificate:

Pathway One: Direct SSM Licensing – You can apply directly to SSM for a Company Secretary Licence under Section 20G of the Companies Commission of Malaysia Act 2001. This involves submitting Form 48B along with the required supporting documents.

Pathway Two: Professional Body Membership – You can first become a member of a professional body recognised by SSM, then apply for the practising certificate. Recognised bodies include MAICSA (Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), MIA (Malaysian Institute of Accountants), MACS (Malaysian Association of Company Secretaries), and the Malaysian Bar Council.

Under Section 235(2)(a) of the Companies Act 2016, Fellows and Associate members of MAICSA are recognised by the government as qualified to act as company secretaries. However, even with professional body membership, you must still apply to SSM and obtain a valid practising certificate before you can legally serve as a company secretary.

The Application Process: Step by Step

Once you meet the academic, experience, and eligibility requirements, you can proceed with the licence application. Here is what you need to prepare:

Required Documents:

• Form 48B — Application for Company Secretary’s Licence
• A copy of your NRIC / identity card
• A recent passport-sized photograph
• A copy of your SPM certificate or equivalent
• A copy of your highest academic certificate in company law, company secretarial practice, management, business administration, or accounting
• A copy of the employment offer letter confirming your working experience in company secretarial practice
• A copy of your job description issued by the relevant company
• Supporting documents confirming service (e.g., EA Form or payslip — remember to strike through and remove salary details)
• A valid and recent Bankruptcy Search result
• A referral letter from your employer or a person with whom you have had regular contact over the past five years
• Copies of participation certificates for courses related to company secretarial practice, corporate law, and company law attended within the last three years

Application Fees:

• Processing fee: RM 350.00
• Licence application fee: RM 50.00

After submitting your application, SSM will review your documents. If approved, you will be required to sit for a written test and attend an interview session. The assessment covers company law and regulations, company secretarial practices, SSM’s Practice Notes, and the Code of Ethics for Company Secretaries. There are even preparatory courses available to help candidates get ready for the licensing interview.

Once you pass the written test and interview, SSM will issue your practising certificate. You can then download your practising certificate through the e-Secretary system.

CPE Requirements: Staying Current and Professional

Obtaining your licence is not the end of the journey — it is just the beginning. All licensed company secretaries are required to accumulate 60 CPE (Continuing Professional Education) points within every three (3) years from the date of licence issuance.

The composition of the 60 CPE points is structured as follows:

• Minimum of 40% (24 CPE points) from attending courses organised by COMTRAC or co-organised by COMTRAC with external parties
• Maximum of 60% (36 CPE points) from attending courses organised by prescribed bodies or other organisations

The training can take various forms, including classroom sessions, online courses, webinars, and e-learning programmes. Topics must be relevant to company secretarial practice, corporate law, company law, accounting, finance, and other related areas. Company secretaries must continuously explore learning opportunities to stay ahead of regulatory changes.

2025 Guideline Updates: What Has Changed

On 22 October 2025, SSM issued a revised Guideline Relating to Practising Certificate for Secretaries under Section 241 of the Companies Act 2016, superseding the previous guideline dated 1 August 2022.

The updated guideline introduces several significant enhancements:

• Mandatory AMLA and CLBG training requirements — all company secretaries must complete compulsory training on Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing (AMLA) and the Companies Commission of Malaysia’s (CLBG) requirements. This takes effect from 1 January 2026
• Active practice as a condition for renewal — you must demonstrate active engagement in company secretarial work to renew your practising certificate
• Ethical conduct and document verification obligations — stronger emphasis on professional integrity and accountability
• Tighter control and enforcement over the use of practising certificates

These changes reflect the future trends of the company secretarial industry in Malaysia. The profession is evolving toward higher standards of compliance, governance, and professional accountability. Why do companies need company secretaries? Because they are the backbone of corporate compliance — ensuring that companies meet their statutory obligations, maintain proper records, and avoid regulatory penalties.

Building Your Career: Professional Growth and Talent Recruitment Trends

How can company secretaries enhance their professional capabilities? Beyond fulfilling the mandatory CPE requirements, there are several ways to accelerate your career growth:

• Pursue MAICSA’s professional qualification to achieve ACIS or FCIS status
• Attend SSM-organised courses and CPE programmes
• Regularly check the SSM official website for updates on the Companies Act 2016 and related guidelines
• Join professional associations like MAICSA or MACS to expand your network and access learning resources
• Gain diverse practical experience across different industries and company sizes

The company secretarial industry talent recruitment trend is moving toward professionals who combine technical expertise with strong ethical grounding. As businesses become more complex and regulatory requirements tighten, the demand for qualified company secretaries continues to grow — particularly in Johor Bahru and across Malaysia.

What kind of person is suited to become a company secretary? This profession suits individuals who are detail-oriented, organised, and passionate about compliance and governance. Whether you are a law, business administration, accounting, or corporate governance graduate, there are entry opportunities available.

Can a Fresh Grad become a company secretary? Absolutely — start as a company secretary assistant or in a junior position, accumulate one to two years of experience, and work toward your SSM licence. The Company Secretary career planning pathway is clear and achievable with dedication and the right guidance.

AFA Accounting Firm, based in Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru, is a professional accounting and audit firm that also provides company secretarial services. If you are interested in the company secretarial industry, or are looking for Johor Bahru Company Secretary jobs or Johor company secretary positions, follow AFA’s talent recruitment updates to begin your professional journey. AFA is committed to nurturing talent and supporting professionals in building meaningful careers in accounting, audit, and company secretarial practice.