<P> A company secretary is a senior position in a private sector company or public sector organisation . In large American and Canadian publicly - listed corporations, a company secretary is typically named a corporate secretary or secretary . The company secretary is responsible for the efficient administration of a company, particularly with regard to ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and for ensuring that decisions of the board of directors are implemented . </P> <P> Despite the name, the role is not clerical or secretarial . The company secretary ensures that an organisation complies with relevant legislation and regulation, and keeps board members informed of their legal responsibilities . Company Secretaries are the company's named representative on legal documents, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the company and its directors operate within the law . It is also their responsibility to register and communicate with shareholders, to ensure that dividends are paid and to maintain company records, such as lists of directors and shareholders, and annual accounts . </P> <P> In many countries, private companies have traditionally been required by law to appoint one person as a company secretary, and this person will also usually be a senior board member . </P>

When does a company need a company secretary
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