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CSIS Practising Certificate Scheme

Introduction

The CSIS Practising Certificate Scheme was first introduced in November 1985. The Scheme is for CSIS members (ACS/FCS) who are in public practice. All members holding the CSIS Practising Certificate are considered Practising Chartered Secretaries.

CSIS Practising Certificate Scheme

The application of these regulations is limited to every member in public practice as a Chartered Secretary in Singapore.

A member, to whom the CSIS Practising Certificate (PC) to practise in Singapore is awarded, may practise elsewhere in the world, except in other territories where a practising certificate to practise is required. Separate application must be made to practise in those territories, in accordance with the regulations for the time being in force in those territories.

A member who offers, provides or holds himself out as offering or providing advice or services to the public for fees and who for that purpose uses the description “Chartered Secretary” shall for the purpose of these regulations be regarded as being in public practice as a Chartered Secretary. The CSIS Council shall have sole discretion in determining whether a member is engaged in public practice as a Chartered Secretary for the purpose of these regulations.

The award or renewal of a practising certificate is at the discretion of the CSIS Council.

A practising certificate will normally only be issued in those instances where in the opinion of the CSIS Council the following conditions are satisfied:-

(i)            The applicant is an Associate or a Fellow of the CSIS, and

(ii) The applicant is able to satisfy the CSIS Council that he has adequate experience in the subject areas in which he proposes to practise.

Application for a practising certificate must be made on an official application form and accompanied by the prevailing fee.

Practicing certificates must be renewed annually on payment of the renewal fee.

The applicant must at the time of issue of the practising certificate, and for as long as he continues to hold it, be in possession of professional indemnity insurance to the satisfaction of CSIS Council. The insurance must be valid in all territories where the member wishes to practice, and in respect of all activities, which he is undertaking or proposes to undertake.

Note:

(a)          The minimum level of cover under the professional indemnity insurance scheme shall generally be $500,000 for any one claim.

(b)          All members applying for practising certificates shall be required to take out insurance under a policy which the CSIS Council considers to cover all the activities which the member is undertaking or proposes to undertake.

Practising Certificates remain the property of CSIS, and may be withdrawn at the discretion of the CSIS Council at any time. The Practising Certificate shall be withdrawn in the event that the member :-

(a)          ceases to engage in public practice,

(b)          ceases to be a member,

(c)           ceases to renew his practising certificate, or

(d)          ceases to be covered by a valid and effective professional indemnity insurance policy

If a practising certificate is withdrawn for any reason it must be returned to CSIS.

Any member, as defined in these regulations, who engages in public practice without being in possession of a current CSIS Practising Certificate is liable to disciplinary actions under the CSIS’s Bye-Laws.

A member holding a practising certificate may at any time be required to provide the CSIS Council with such details of his practice as the CSIS Council may require.

Possession of a practising certificate confers no new title on the member concerned

CSIS shall maintain a register of members holding current practising certificates in Singapore.

A directory of CSIS Practising Chartered Secretaries is posted on CSIS’ website at https://csis.org.sg/index.php/practitioners-directory/ .

Application

Members who are interested to apply for the CSIS Practising Certificate Scheme please fill in the application forms and submit the original hard copy application form to the Secretariat.

Click here to download the Application Form.

Year 2023

CSIS Membership Committee Meeting Date Y2023
April 2023	October 2023

Closing dates for submission of application form
Thursday, 2 March 2023	Thursday, 31 August 2023

Note: All application forms have to be submitted in its original hardcopy format. Applications will not be tabled for approval unless supported with the appropriate additional information as requested by the Secretariat.

UPDATE: In view of the COVID-19, please scan a copy of your completed application form, along with the accompanying supporting documents to members@csis.org.org before mailing the original copy to the Secretariat.

For any enquires on the practising certificate application form, please email to members@csis.org.sg or call 6334 4302.

PRACTISING CHARTERED SECRETARIES – CODE OF CONDUCT

INTRODUCTION

The Council of the CSIS requires Chartered Secretaries in public practice in Singapore must hold the CSIS Practising Certificate and to observe an appropriate set of rules that commensurate with the responsibilities and privileges which characterize the profession. Practising Chartered Secretaries will continue to be bound by the CSIS Constitution and Bye-laws. This Code is complementary to the CSIS Constitution and Bye-laws.

DEFINITIONS

Public Practice: A Chartered Secretary who is the holder of a current CSIS Practising Certificate and who offers, provides or holds himself out as offering or providing advice or services to the public for fees is deemed thereby to be engaged in public practice.

Practitioner: A Chartered Secretary in public practice who is the holder of a current CSIS Practising Certificate.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1. A Practitioner shall conduct himself in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the profession of the Chartered Secretary and of CSIS, the CSIS Constitution and Bye-laws, the CSIS’ Constitution, and in compliance with all statutory or other legal requirements.

2. In accepting or continuing a professional assignment or appointment, a Practitioner shall always have regard to any factor, which may reflect adversely upon his integrity and objectivity in relation to that assignment or appointment.

3. A Practitioner shall carry out his professional work with proper regard to the technical and professional standards expected of a Chartered Secretary. He shall not undertake or continue professional work that he is not competent to perform unless he first obtains such advice and assistance as will enable him competently to carry out such work.

4. A Practitioner shall conduct himself with courtesy and consideration towards all with whom he comes into contact.

PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENCE

5. Professional independence is a concept fundamental to the profession of a Chartered Secretary. It is essentially an attitude of mind characterised by integrity and an independent approach. Accordingly a Practitioner shall inform all interested parties on any potential conflict of interests.

CONFIDENTIALITY

6. A Practitioner receiving privileged information from a client or from any other confidential source in the course of his professional work shall not use it or appear to use it for personal advantage or for the advantage of a third party and may not disclose it without prior written consent unless there is a public duty or a legal or professional obligation or duty to disclose such information.

ADVERTISEMENT AND PUBLICITY

7. A Practitioner shall not advertise his professional services or skills except in accordance with the CSIS Code of Practice on Advertising.

DESCRIPTION

8. A practice of which a Practitioner is either a partner or a director may not describe itself as “Chartered Secretaries” unless it is within the terms of the CSIS Bye-laws.

OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL WORK

9. A Practitioner shall not in any circumstances obtain or seek professional work for himself or another Practitioner in contravention of this Code.

10. A Practitioner shall not give any commission, fee or reward whatsoever to a third party, not being either his employee or another Practitioner, in return for the introduction of a client.

11. A Chartered Secretary who is the holder of a current CSIS Practising Certificate shall not hold himself out as carrying on business of a kind which is normally carried on by a Practitioner, for or on behalf of his employer, unless his employer is permitted to describe itself as “Chartered Secretaries” in the CSIS Bye-laws.

CHANGES IN PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENT

12. A Practitioner who is asked to accept an appointment, where the client has previously employed a Practitioner, shall:

12.1 request the prospective client’s permission to communicate with the previous appointee. If such permission is refused he should decline the appointment.

12.2 On receipt of the client’s permission, request in writing of the previous appointee all information relevant to an acceptance of the appointment.

13. A Practitioner receiving such request shall:

13.1 request permission of the client to discuss the client’s affairs freely with the proposed appointee. If this request is not granted the Practitioner shall report that fact to the proposed appointee.

13.2 On receipt of written permission from the client he shall disclose all information relevant to the Practitioner’s acceptance of the appointment.

14. A Practitioner invited to undertake professional work additional to that already being out by another Practitioner who is himself to continue his existing duties for the client, shall as a matter of courtesy, notify in writing the other practitioner of the work that is proposed to be undertaken. This notification need not be given if the client gives in writing a valid reason against it. The Practitioner undertaking such additional work is entitled to expect of that other Practitioner to whom he has given notice full co-operation in carrying out such additional work.

MIXED SECRETARIAL PRACTICE

15. Any Practitioner who act in association with others not being members of CSIS either through the medium of an unlimited company or in partnerships, in the provision to the public of services usually undertaken by a Practitioner thereby is deemed to accept responsibility to the Institute for ensuring that in providing such services that the Institute does not describe as “Chartered Secretaries” but is conducted in accordance with this Code.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES

16. A Practitioner may act alone or in association with members of other professional bodies to provide professional services additional to services usually undertaken by a Practitioner or any of his associates do not do anything which is or may be in breach or contravention of any legal, ethical or other requirement governing members of such professional bodies.

17. A Practitioner who is also a member of another professional body shall not in providing services usually undertaken by a Practitioner do anything in breach of any legal, ethical or other requirement governing members of that professional body.

CORPORATE PRACTICE

18. A Practitioner may carry on such functions through the medium of an unlimited company as are not required by law to be performed by an individual provided that:
18.1 any such company and its officers at all times observes all the rules and standards of conduct applying to a Practitioner;

18.2 every director and every registered holder and beneficial owner of shares in such a company shall and continue to be a member of the Institute;

18.3 the directors jointly and severally are directly responsible to the Institute for the conduct of the officers of the company, as if it was a firm in which they were the only partners.

Any company which does not comply with this section may not describe itself as “Chartered Secretaries”.

UNDERTAKINGS

19. Any promise or undertaking made or given by a Practitioner in the course of his business must be honoured promptly in full since the Institute considers that it is essential that absolute reliance can be placed on such a promise or undertaking.

BREACH OF THE CODE

20. Any breach of this Code may be deemed to be a matter for investigation by the Disciplinary Committee.

PRACTISING CHARTERED SECRETARIES – ACCOUNTS REGULATIONS

Introduction

These regulations have been devised because the Council of the Institute now require Chartered Secretaries in public practice who hold or deal with the money belonging to clients and third parties are to observe the accounts regulations in maintaining an appropriate set of rules.

Sections 2 to 11 apply to clients’ accounts and Sections 12-18 to third party accounts. Sections 19-22 are applicable to both clients and third party accounts.

1. Definitions

“Public Practice” Any Chartered Secretary who is the holder of a current CSIS Practising Certificate and who offers, provides or holds himself out as offering or providing advice or services to the public for fees is deemed thereby to be in public practice.

“Practitioner” Any Chartered Secretary in public practice who is the holder of a current CSIS Practising Certificate.

“Council” The Council of the Institute as defined in the Constitution and Bye-laws and any Standing Committee to which Council has properly delegated its authority to act under these obligations.

“Clients’ money” Money held or received by a practitioner on account of a person for whom he is acting in any capacity in connection with his practice, but “clients’ money” shall not include:

(i) money held or received on the account of the trustees of a trust of which the practitioner is a trustee.

(ii) Money to which the only person entitled is the practitioner himself or in the case of a firm or company, one or more of the partners or directors.

“Client” Any person on whose account a practitioner holds or receives “client’s money”.

“Client Account” A current or deposit account in the name of the practitioner at a bank in the title of which account the word “client” or the name of the beneficiary appears.

“Third Party Money” Money belonging to a third party held or received by a practitioner in connection with a client for whom he is acting in any capacity as a practitioner.

“Third Party” Any person on whose account a practitioner holds or receives “third party money”.

“Third Party Account” A current or deposit account in the name of the practitioner at a bank in the title of which account the word “third party” or the name of the beneficiary appears.

“Bank” Any bank licensed by The Monetary Authority of Singapore.

2. Clients’ Account

2.1 Every practitioner who holds or receives clients’ money shall without delay pay such money into a client account.

2.2 Any practitioner who holds or receives clients’ money must keep at least one client account or as many such accounts as he thinks fit.

3 Interest shall be paid to a client where the sum of money is received for or on account of a client which exceeds S$5,000/- and at the time of its receipt is unlikely within two months thereafter to be reduced to a sum less than S$5,000/-.

4 No money, other than money which under the following regulations a practitioner is required or permitted to pay into a client account shall be paid into a client account, and it shall be the duty of a practitioner into whose client account any money has been paid in contravention of this regulation to withdraw the same without delay on discovery.

5 There may be paid into a client account in addition to money to which the client is entitled:

5.1 such money belonging to the practitioner as may be necessary for the purpose of opening or maintaining the account, or

5.2 money to replace any sum which for any reason may have been drawn from the account in contravention of regulation 7 of these regulations.

6 Where a practitioner holds or receives a cheque which includes money to which a client is entitled:

6.1 he shall where practicable split such cheque and, if he does so, shall deal with each part thereof as if he had received a separate cheque or draft in respect of that part; or

6.2 he may pay such a cheque into a client account.

7 There may be drawn from a client account:

7.1 money properly required for payment to or on behalf of a client;

7.2 money properly required for or towards reimbursement of money expended by the practitioner on behalf of a client;

7.3 money properly required for or toward payment of a Practitioner’s fees and/or disbursements –

7.3.1 where there has been delivered to the client of his agent a bill for such fees and/or disbursements or other written intimation of the costs incurred and it has thereby or otherwise in writing been made clear to the client that money is being or will be applied towards or in satisfaction of such fees and/or disbursements; or

7.3.2 where such drawing may have been expressly authorised in writing by a client beforehand.

7.4 money (originally forming part of a larger sum paid into a client account by virtue of regulation 6.2)to which the Practitioner is beneficially entitled and such sum shall be withdrawn from a client account as soon as the net amount of the practitioner’s entitlement can be quantified;

7.5 money to be transferred to any other client account;

7.6 such money, not being money to which a client is entitled, as may have been paid into the account pursuant to regulation 5.1 of these regulations; or

7.7 money which may for any reason have been paid into the account in contravention of regulation 4 of these regulations;

7.8 money agreed by the client due in consequence of a decision of the court for payment to the practitioner.

Provided that money drawn on behalf of a client under sub-paragraphs 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 7.5 of this paragraph shall not exceed the total of the money held at the time of such drawing on behalf of that client.

8 No money drawn from a client account under regulations 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.6 or 7.7 shall be drawn except by:

8.1 a cheque drawn in favour of the practitioner, his firm or company; or

8.2 a transfer to a bank account in the name of the Practitioner, his firm or company, not being a client account.

9 9.1 No money may be withdrawn from a client account otherwise than under the signature of at least one of the following:

9.1.1 a Practitioner;

9.1.2 a partner or co-director of a Practitioner who has been so authorised by the practitioner;

9.1.3 a member of the Institute employed by a Practitioner or his firm or company who has been so authorised by the practitioner;

9.1.4 in exceptional circumstances, a person not falling within 9.1.1 to 9.1.3 above expressly authorised by the Council.

Provided that where any signatories referred to in 9.1.3 or 9.1.4 above are appointed the Practitioner shall arrange adequate fidelity insurance cover wither separately or as an extension to the practitioners’ professional liability insurance.

9.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of these regulations the Council of the Institute may on the application of any Practitioner or of its own motion authorise the withdrawal of money from a client account in circumstances which would otherwise not be permitted by these regulations.

10. Notwithstanding the provisions of these regulations a Practitioner shall not be under obligation to pay into a client’s account money held or received by him to which a client is entitled:

10.1 if the money is received by him in the form of cash and is without delay paid in cash on behalf of the client to another party; or

10.2 if the money is received by him in the form of a cheque or draft which is without delay endorsed over on behalf of the client to another party and is not passed by the Practitioner through the bank account.

11. Notwithstanding the provisions of these regulations, a Practitioner shall not pay into a client account money held or received by him:

11.1 which is received by him for or towards payment of a debt due to the Practitioner from a client or in reimbursement from a client or in reimbursement of money expended by the Practitioner on behalf of a client, or

11.2 which is expressly paid to him for fees and/or disbursements incurred in respect of which a bill or other written intimation of the amount incurred has been delivered for payment, or as an expressly agreed fee or commission for business undertaken or to be undertaken; or

11.3 which the client for his own convenience requests be withheld from such account, the request to be in writing from the client and acknowledged in writing by the Practitioner.

Third Parties

12 Every Practitioner who holds or receives money to which a third party is entitled shall without delay pay such money into the relative third party account.

13 No money, other than money which under the following regulations a Practitioner is required or permitted to pay into a third party account shall be paid into a third party account, and it shall be the duty of a Practitioner into whose third party account any money has been paid in contravention of this regulation to withdraw the same without delay on discovery.

14 There may be paid into a third party account in addition to money to which the third party is entitled such money belonging to the Practitioner as may be necessary for the purpose of opening or maintaining the account or money to replace any sum which for any reason may have been drawn from the account in contravention of regulation 17 of these regulations.

15 Where a Practitioner holds or receives a cheque which includes money to which a third party is entitled:

15.1 He shall where practicable split such cheque and, if he does so, shall deal with each part thereof as if he had received a separate cheque in respect of that part; or

15.2 If he does not split the cheque, he may pay into a client account as permitted by regulations 2 to 11.

16 There may be drawn from a third party account:

16.1 money properly required for a payment on behalf of the relative third party;

16.2 money to be transferred to a client account;

16.3 such money, not being money to which a third party is entitled, as may have been paid into the account in pursuant of regulation 14 of these regulations;

16.4 money which may for any reason have been paid into the account in contravention of regulation 13 of these regulations;

16.5 money agreed by the third party due in consequence of a decision of the court for payment to the Practitioner.

17 No money other than money permitted by regulation 16 of these regulations to be drawn from a third party account shall be so drawn unless the Council upon an application made to them by a member expressly authorise in writing its withdrawal.

18 Notwithstanding the provisions of these regulations a Practitioner shall not be under obligation to pay into a third party account money held or received by him to which a third party is entitled:

18.1 if the money is received by him in the form of cash and is without delay paid in cash on behalf of the third party to another party; or

18.2 if he receives the money in the form of a cheque which is without delay endorsed over on behalf of the third party to another party and is not passed by the Practitioner through a bank account.

19 19.1 Every Practitioner shall at all times keep properly written up such accounts as may be necessary:

19.1.1 to show separately in respect of each client or third party account all his dealings with money received, held or paid by him on account of that client or third party; and

19.1.2 to distinguish the same from money received, held or paid by him on any other account.

19.2 Every Practitioner shall preserve for at least six years from the date of the last entry therein all accounts kept by him under this regulation.

20 In order to ascertain whether these regulations have been complied with, the Council acting either on their own motion or on a written compliant lodged with them by a client or third party, may require any Practitioner to produce at a time and place to be fixed by the Council, all books of account, bank pass books, loose-leaf bank statements, statement of account, vouchers and documents relating to all or any of the client or third party accounts for the inspection of any person appointed by the Council, and to supply to such person any necessary information and explanations and such person shall be directed to prepare for the information of the Council a report on the result of such inspection

21 Before instituting an inspection on a written compliant lodged with item by a client or third party the Council shall require prima facie evidence that a ground of compliant exists, and may require the payment by such party to the Council of a reasonable sum to be fixed by them to cover the costs of the inspection, and the costs of the Practitioner against whom the complaint is made. The Council may deal with any sum so paid in such manner as they may think fit.

22 Every requirement to be made by the Council of a Practitioner under these regulations shall be made in writing under the hand of the Secretary of the Institute and sent by registered post or recorded delivery service to the last address of the practitioner appearing in the register kept by the Institute and, when so made and sent, shall be deemed to have been received by the practitioner within forty-eight hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays) at the time of posting.

23 Nothing in these regulations shall deprive a practitioner of any recourse or right, whether by way of lien, set off, counter-claim, charge or otherwise, against monies standing to the credit of a client or third party account.

24 Any breach of these regulations may be deemed to be a matter for investigation by the Disciplinary Committee.