Interview questions for Company Secretary

1. What Are The Essential Characteristics Of A Company?

The essential characteristics of a company are:
o It is a voluntary association of persons.
o It is a separate legal entity.
o It has a common seal.
o It has a perpetual succession.
o It is created by law with limited liability.

2. How would you handle a customer or visitor who was demanding and rude?’

It doesn’t matter what the job is. There will always be someone to give you grief over something out of your control. Hiring managers understand this and they want to find out how you would resolve a conflict with a customer, guest or visitor if there was a scheduling mistake or the executive left early despite having an important meeting. Remember, as a receptionist, you are representing the company.

3. What Is The Statutory Company?

A company which is formed by the special Act passed by the Central or State legislature is called Statutory company. This type of company is not required to frame their Memorandum or Articles of Association. They are also not required to use the word limited as a part of their name. Their working is controlled, checked and reviewed by Lok Sabha and the Comptroller. Auditor General of India conducts the annual audit of its final accounts. Some examples of statutory companies are State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Reserve Bank of India.

4. Do you have any further questions regarding this occupation?

At the end of every interview, it’s important to have a minimum of three questions about the business. By simply replying with “no” it portrays you as someone who is indifferent about the job or is apathetic about gaining employment. It can also give the negative perception that you have an unenthusiastic work ethic or a paucity of problem-solving skills since you’re not doing your research or you don’t have questions for certain elements of the business.

5. Define Registered Company And On What Basis They Are Categorized?

Registered company is the one which is registered under the Companies Act. These companies are categorized on the basis of liability and number of members.

6. What was your most challenging experience as a secretary in your previous employment?

How would you solve an inquiry from a potential customer? How would you speak with a salesman? What would you do if the system crashed? There are a variety of scenarios that secretaries have to deal with on a daily basis, and a human resources interviewer can listen intently as to how you conduct yourself in a stressful situation.

7. What did you like the most and the least about your last secretary position?

If you didn’t like taking minutes so much, but you enjoyed answering the phone – and this would be the exact same kind of environment in the new place – then the hiring manager can immediately dismiss you. It’s a popular question for companies to ask because then they can figure out if you would be a good fit depending on your likes and dislikes of the workplace environment.

On the basis of liability companies can be categorized in the following three categories:
o Unlimited companies.
o Company limited by shares.
o Company limited by guarantee.

8. What are the important stages involved in formation of a company?

Filing of documents: Following documents are required:
o Memorandum of Association duly stamped, signed and witnessed;
o Articles of Association duly stamped, signed and witnessed;
o A list of persons who have consented to become directors of the company.
o A written and duly signed consent of the directors agreeing to act as directors and to pay for qualification shares, if any.
o A notice of the address of the registered office of the company.
o A statutory declaration to the effect that all the requirements of the law for registration have been duly complied with. Payment of fees and issue of certificate of incorporation.

9. Explain the term Unlimited companies?

Companies registered without limited liability is known as an unlimited company. The liability of such company is unlimited like an ordinary partnership firm and every member of such company is liable for debts of the company in proportion to his interest in the company. In such companiesm the articles shall state the number of members with which the company is to be registered and if the company has a share capital the amount of the share capital with which the company is to be registered.

10. What is Ultravires Acts?

Ultravires is any act done outside the limits of memorandum of association. It is void and cannot be ratified even by the whole body of the shareholders whereas in the case of Articles of association the acts done by the company beyond the articles can be ratified by the shareholders if such acts are not beyond the memorandum and illegal.

11. When can a company commence its business?

Private companies or companies having no share capital can start their business immediately after they are incorporated. But public companies with share capital are required to obtain the necessary certificate from the registrar of companies to comment the business.

On the basis of number of members companies can be of two types:
o Private company
o Public company

12. What Is Articles Of Association And Memorandum Of Association?

o Articles of Association is the internal regulations of the company which help to govern the management of the internal affairs of the company and the conduct of its business.
o Memorandum of Association contains the constitution and the objects of the company for which it is formed. The company cannot exceed the powers conferred on it by its memorandum.

13. How Can Memorandum Be Altered?

Memorandum of association can be altered only under certain circumstance and in the manner provided in teh Companies Act. IT requires the sanction of shareholders and the Central Government or the Company law board or the Court as the case may be. The procedure of alteration or memorandum is more difficult.

14. Can Articles Of Association Of A Company Be Altered After Its Incorporation?

Yes, Articles of association of a company can be altered as the procedure of alteration or amendment of articles of association is relatively simple. It can be altered by the members by passing a special resolution subject to the provisions of the Companies Act.

15. What Are The Different Types Of Capital?

Nominal Capital or Authorized Capital: is the total fee value of the shares which the company is authorized to issue.
Issued Capital: is that part of authorized capital which is actually offered to the public for sale.
Subscribed Capital: is that part of issued capital which is taken up and accepted by the public.
Paid up Capital: is the amount of money actually paid by the subscribers or credited as so paid.
Uncalled Capital: is the unpaid portion of the subscribed capital.
Reserved Capital: is that part of the uncalled capital which can only be called up at the time of and for the purposes of winding up for the company.