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Licensing & Requirements

Recognition under the Companies Act 2016

MIA is one of the recognised bodies under the Fourth Schedule of the Companies Act 2016. This means that MIA members who fulfil the necessary requirements may qualify for appointment as a Company Secretary.

Legal Requirement (Section 241, Companies Act 2016)

Under Section 241 of the Companies Act 2016, any individual who wishes to act as a Company Secretary must first:

  1. Be qualified under the Act; and
  2. Register with Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM).

Only upon registration and approval will SSM issue a Practising Certificate for Company Secretary, which authorises the individual to carry out secretarial functions.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

  1. Ensure you are an MIA member in good standing.
  2. Confirm that you meet the qualification criteria under the Companies Act 2016.
  3. Prepare the required documents (NRIC, MIA membership certificate, supporting forms, etc.).
  4. Submit your application online via the SSM e-Secretary Portal.
  5. Await SSM’s assessment and issuance of your Practising Certificate.

User Manual e-Secretary

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Key Notes for Members

  • You must hold a valid practising certificate from SSM before performing company secretary duties.
  • Continuous compliance with both MIA membership requirements and SSM regulations is mandatory.
  • Members are encouraged to stay updated with professional development programmes to maintain competency in corporate secretarial practice.

Scenarios for MIA Members

  1. Member with Practising Certificate (PC) from both MIA and SSM
    • May offer company secretarial services through a firm or company where they serve as a partner or director.
    • May also provide other public practice services as defined under Rule 2 of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (Membership and Council) Rules 2001, subject to required credentials for audit, liquidation, and tax.
    • This is read together with Rule 9(7) of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (Membership and Council) Rules 2001.
  2. Member with Secretarial Licence (LS) from SSM only
    • May offer company secretarial services only if they first obtain a valid PC from SSM, though not from MIA.
    • They cannot provide other public practice services as defined under Rule 2 of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (Membership and Council) Rules 2001.
  3. Member without MIA PC but acting as In-House Company Secretary
    • May serve as a company secretary within the organisation that employs them, provided they possess a valid PC from SSM.
    • A declaration must first be obtained confirming that the member serves as an in-house company secretary within the employing organisation.
  4. Member without MIA PC but employed by a Secretarial Firm
    • May act as a company secretary if employed by a non-MIA member and they possess a valid PC from SSM.
    • A declaration must first be obtained confirming that they are employed by the company secretarial service provider firm.