Cardiff Services

Secretarial Audit

Overview – Secretarial Audit

Secretarial Audit is an independent verification process that ensures a company’s compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and procedures. It is conducted by a qualified Company Secretary to assess adherence to the provisions of the Companies Act, SEBI regulations, and other statutory requirements.

 

Secretarial Audit plays a vital role in corporate governance by enhancing transparency, identifying compliance gaps, and mitigating risks. It is mandatory for certain classes of companies under Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013, particularly for listed companies and large public companies.

 

At Cardiff Services, we offer thorough Secretarial Audit services that help companies maintain regulatory compliance, improve internal controls, and foster investor confidence.

Features – Secretarial Audit

  • Conducted by a Qualified Company Secretary
    Performed by a practicing Company Secretary with expertise in corporate laws.

  • Mandatory for Certain Companies
    Required for listed companies, large public companies, and prescribed classes under Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013.

  • Comprehensive Compliance Check
    Covers compliance with Companies Act, SEBI regulations, FEMA, labour laws, environmental laws, and other applicable regulations.

  • Review of Board Processes
    Examines Board meetings, resolutions, minutes, and decision-making procedures.

  • Identification of Compliance Gaps
    Highlights non-compliance areas and recommends corrective actions.

  • Enhances Corporate Governance
    Supports transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices.

  • Risk Mitigation
    Helps identify legal and regulatory risks to avoid penalties and litigation.

  • Audit Report Submission
    Prepares and submits a Secretarial Audit Report to the Board and files it with the Registrar of Companies.

  • Improves Stakeholder Confidence
    Builds trust among investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.

Documents Required – Secretarial Audit

  • Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA & AoA)

  • Board Resolutions and Minutes of Board Meetings

  • Register of Members and Shareholders’ details

  • Statutory Registers (e.g., Register of Directors, Register of Charges)

  • Annual Returns filed with Registrar of Companies (RoC)

  • Financial Statements and Annual Reports

  • Details of Contracts and Agreements entered by the company

  • Share Transfer Register and related documents

  • Compliance certificates and filings under Companies Act and other laws

  • Records related to related party transactions

  • Notices and Agenda of General Meetings and Board Meetings

  • Correspondence with regulatory authorities (e.g., ROC, SEBI)

  • Copies of licenses, permits, and approvals

  • Internal compliance manuals and policies (if any)

Procedure – Secretarial Audit

  1. Engagement and Appointment

    • Company appoints a qualified practicing Company Secretary as Secretarial Auditor.

  2. Pre-Audit Meeting

    • Initial discussion to understand the company’s structure, compliance requirements, and audit scope.

  3. Collection of Documents

    • Gather relevant statutory registers, board minutes, financial statements, contracts, and other documents.

  4. Verification of Compliance

    • Review adherence to applicable laws including Companies Act, SEBI regulations, FEMA, labour laws, environmental laws, and internal policies.

  5. Examination of Board Processes

    • Assess Board meeting procedures, resolutions, and governance practices.

  6. Identify Compliance Gaps

    • Detect non-compliance or procedural lapses and evaluate potential risks.

  7. Prepare Audit Report

    • Compile findings, highlight issues, and recommend corrective actions in the Secretarial Audit Report.

  8. Submission to Board

    • Present the audit report to the Board of Directors for review and action.

  9. Filing with Registrar of Companies

    • For applicable companies, file the Secretarial Audit Report with the RoC as part of the annual filing.

  10. Follow-Up and Support

    • Provide guidance for implementing recommendations and ongoing compliance monitoring.

With Cardiff Services, your Secretarial Audit is comprehensive, compliant, and value-adding.

Frequently Asked Questions

A company name search ensures that your chosen business name is unique, legally compliant, and not already registered with Companies House UK. It helps you avoid legal disputes, trademark issues, and confusion in the Cardiff business market.

If your desired name is already registered, you’ll need to choose a different name or modify it. Using a taken name could result in rejection by Companies House or potential legal issues. Our experts can help you brainstorm alternative names that are compliant and market-ready.

It’s not advisable to use a name that’s too similar to another company, especially within the same industry. Similar names can confuse customers and risk trademark disputes. A company name search helps you identify these risks early.

For a company name search in Cardiff, you may need:

  • Proposed company name

  • Business entity type (Ltd, LLP, Partnership, etc.)

  • Jurisdiction (Cardiff / UK)

  • Owner or shareholder details (if applicable)

  • Business description

A “high probability” result means your proposed company name is likely to be available, but further checks are recommended. This is why our detailed Cardiff Company Name Search Report includes both identical and similar names for clarity.

Certain words are restricted under UK law (e.g., “bank,” “insurance,” “government”). If you want to use them, you’ll need special approval from regulatory bodies. We guide you through this process if your Cardiff business requires such terms