How To Become A Corporate Governance Professional?

If you are interested in holding a position at a Governance level of a corporate firm, then this blog is for you!

What is Corporate Governance? 

Corporate Governance is the combination of rules, processes, or laws by which businesses are operated, controlled, or regulated. The term Corporate Governance applies to external and internal factors that affect the interests of a company's stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, suppliers, government regulators, and management. 

The Board of Directors is primarily responsible for the framework of a Company's Corporate Governance.Governance at a corporate level includes the processes through which a company’s objectives are set and pursued in ‌the social, regulatory, and market environment.

Transparency, Independence, and Accountability are the critical principles of Good Corporate Governance. Alternatively, Bad Corporate Governance is seen as poorly structured, ambiguous, and non-compliant which could ruin the business environment.

Roles of many individuals are required for successful implementation of Corporate Governance like Financial officer, Managing Director, etc., as a result, the Corporate Governance professionals are in great demand. Therefore, at present many institutions are providing Certification Courses in Corporate Governance.

Steps to be a Corporate Governance Professional

Following are the steps to get a Certification in Corporate Governance which will be explained further in this Blog.

1.Complete your education:

The minimum eligibility to enroll for this course is to complete Higher Secondary Education/ Class XII from a recognized Board or University. However, an individual already working in the Corporate field or a newly employed individual can also apply for this course. It certainly will be an added advantage if you have experience in the Corporate field. If you do not meet the above criteria take the necessary steps to complete your Higher secondary education from a Recognized Board of Education. You will benefit more if you have a Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Commerce.

2.Apply for training in Corporate Governance:

Once the above criteria are met apply for the Training course in Corporate Governance. The training includes an introduction to the Corporate Governance Framework, Boardroom practices, Ways of accountability, etc. There are 3 modes of giving Training in corporate Governance. These include 

With the help of LMS (Learning Management System), it is possible to keep track of an employee's progress during the training process.

3.Appear for Corporate Governance Certificate Exam:

Once the training is completed, the candidate has to appear for the examination. The Corporate Governance Certification exam tests the candidates on various areas in corporate governance models, shareholders agreement, productive efficiency, board of directors, philosophy of business, CSR, cross-ownership, stakeholder priorities, knowledge economy, and executive compensation. A thorough Self-study will help in  successfully clearing the examination. After registering for the test, a confirmation Email will be sent mentioning the examination date, time, and examination center. Confirmation emails are sent for every scheduled, rescheduled, and canceled test.

4.Get Certified:

The certification staff issues Certificates to individuals who meet all requirements, including passing the exam within 30 days of meeting all the certification requirements. All certified persons are required to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of earning and maintaining the Certification. Certified persons found to violate the Code of Professional Conduct are subject to sanctions including removal of certification.

5.Tailor Your resume:

Once you get certified start making your resume by highlighting your strength and skills. This certification will be an added advantage for the career. By enforcing or regulating corporate governance guidelines all professions connected to corporate governance work towards effective organizational performance. Customizing your resume to the job role can emphasize your potential for success in the role. Therefore, highlight your skills and traits relevant to the job description.

6.Apply for jobs:

Once your resume is prepared start applying for jobs. There are various job roles for an individual certified in Corporate Governance like Secretarial Assistant, Assistant company secretary, Executive assistant. This profession extends to both internal and external management of an organization. On a foundational level parties directly involved with Corporate governance are the Board of directors and upper management like the Company Secretary. You will grow professionally and earn more with experience. 

Therefore, build an effective network with the people in this profession and ask for their guidance from time to time. Consulting corporate governance jobs include SAP governance, risk, and compliance. Consulting positions can therefore be regulatory or advisory‌. In a less direct manner, additional regulatory corporate governance jobs include all managerial positions. 

The Conclusion

An individual who earns Certified Corporate Governance professional designation showcases their knowledge in corporate governance. The corporate governance professional’s role is broad and encompasses many tasks, including advising the Board of Directors and senior management on the discharge of their fiduciary duties and the composition and operation of the Board and its committees.