Introduction
The role of the company secretary has always been a cornerstone of corporate governance. However, as businesses embrace digital transformation and regulatory landscapes evolve, the importance of the company secretary has grown even more pronounced.
This article explores how the company secretary’s responsibilities are changing and why this role is more essential than ever in 2025.
1. Governance and Compliance: The Backbone of the Organisation
Company secretaries play a pivotal role in ensuring that organizations adhere to legal and regulatory frameworks. From maintaining statutory registers to ensuring timely filings with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), their work is critical to keeping the company compliant. In 2025, with increased focus on corporate governance and accountability, the company secretary is the go-to professional for guiding boards on best practices and ensuring adherence to updated regulations.
2. Adapting to Digital Transformation
Digital tools are revolutionizing how company secretaries work. Automation, cloud-based platforms, and artificial intelligence have streamlined tasks such as compliance monitoring, document management, and shareholder communication. This transformation enables company secretaries to shift their focus from routine administrative tasks to more strategic roles, such as advising on governance trends and ensuring boardroom efficiency.
3. Driving Data-Driven Decision-Making
In the age of big data, company secretaries are becoming integral to data-driven decision-making processes. By leveraging advanced analytics and reporting tools, they provide boards with critical insights into compliance risks, governance performance, and market trends. This analytical capability helps boards make informed decisions that align with both regulatory requirements and organizational goals.
4.       Championing Ethical Leadership and Sustainability
As stakeholders increasingly prioritize ethical practices and sustainability, the company secretary is instrumental in embedding these values into the organization’s governance framework. From ensuring transparent reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics to guiding the board on ethical considerations, their role is central to fostering trust and accountability.
5.       Navigating an Evolving Regulatory Landscape
With new regulations continuously emerging—whether related to beneficial ownership transparency, anti-money laundering (AML), or employment equity—the company secretary is at the forefront of ensuring compliance. Their ability to stay ahead of regulatory changes and implement necessary adaptations is vital for the company’s operational integrity.
6.       Empowered by Platforms like Intersect
Platforms such as Intersect are empowering company secretaries to excel in their roles. By automating routine tasks, providing seamless integration with regulatory bodies like CIPC, and offering secure document management solutions, Intersect allows company secretaries to focus on strategic initiatives. Features such as real-time compliance tracking and advanced reporting tools further enhance their effectiveness.
So, this is why we think they’re perfectly poised to step into the role officially.
- Overlap in Responsibilities: Accountants often handle a variety of tasks that align with company secretarial duties, including:
- Trust and Relationships: Businesses already trust their accountants with sensitive financial information, making them natural candidates for broader governance responsibilities.
- Skill Sets Align: Accountants are detail-oriented, organized, and knowledgeable about regulations, which are key traits of effective company secretaries.
- The Missing Title: Many accountants perform these tasks without claiming the title, potentially missing opportunities to add value and charge for additional services.
- Tools to Bridge the Gap: Platforms like Intersect simplify company secretarial tasks, making it easier for accountants to formalize this dual role.
Conclusion
In 2025, Accountants are uniquely positioned to enhance their services by embracing the company secretary role. With the right tools and mindset, this transition can be seamless and profitable.
