STEP Advanced Certificate in Company Law and Practice

This course will develop and enhance your understanding of how companies are used as offshore asset-holding vehicles. This Advanced Certificate can be taken as part of the STEP Diploma.

Course details

This course provides practitioners with the technical knowledge and understanding of how companies are used as offshore asset-holding vehicles. 

  • Gain in-depth expertise: Improve your technical knowledge of the practices and procedures involved in incorporating and managing a private asset-holding company, and the relevant company law rules that regulate a company and its affairs. 
  • Practical focus: Practical advice and guidance written by practitioners, for practitioners on everyday matters encountered in private company management from incorporation, modern usage and administration of companies and the provision of corporate services.
  • Build valuable connections: Network with like-minded professionals in varied roles and firms from all over the world. 
  • Industry recognition: Recognised worldwide as the ‘gold-standard’ benchmark qualification for those working in the international trusts industry by employers, regulators, clients, and professionals. Successful completion provides 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership, enhancing your professional standing, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a School of the University of Manchester.

Price: £1800 + Local taxes

Course dates, fees and enrol now:

Entry requirements

60 Entry Level credits which can be achieved through:

  • Completion of a STEP Certificate (30 credits)
  • Previous learning - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) application - 30 credits
  • Work experience - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) - 30 credits

Note: You do not need to apply for APEL or APCL if you already have confirmed, or if you have studied for at least two STEP Certificates previously.

Become a member of STEP

This is a STEP course/qualification. STEP membership is required to study this course and must be maintained throughout the duration of your studies.

You will need 60 Entry Level credits and if you are not already, you will become an Affiliate member by enrolling on this course. STEP will contact you regarding membership 4-6 weeks after course enrolment.

Successful completion of the course will provide 30 Diploma Level credits as part of the STEP Qualification and Membership framework.

What will I learn?

  • The relevant company law provisions and legal framework within which companies exist
  • The features, characteristics and uses of private asset-holding companies incorporated offshore
  • The theoretical and practical aspects of incorporation of a private limited company
  • The requirements for registration and migration of foreign companies
  • The function, typical content and alteration of the company’s constitutional documents
  • The funding and capital structure of a company and capital maintenance/distribution provisions
  • The role, appointment, duties and removal of directors and other officers
  • The company decision-making procedures, meetings and powers of shareholders and directors 
  • The provision of company management services and beneficial owner control
  • The termination of companies

Is this course right for me?

The course is designed for all professionals moving into or working in financial services (specifically trusts and corporate services), who wish to develop their understanding and knowledge of this area.

Students of this course typically include:

  • trust assistants/officers/administrators
  • trust managers (senior)
  • trustees/fiduciaries
  • corporate administrators
  • lawyers/solicitors/attorneys
  • wealth managers
  • accountants
  • tax advisers
  • compliance officers/managers
  • private bankers
  • secretarial/administration
  • client relations/marketing/sales
  • financial/estate planners

Course format

  • This flexible four-month course is available to study all year round, with intakes at different points throughout the year (depending on your location). 
  • Delivered through a blend of distance-learning and four virtual workshops.
  • Assessed by a five-hour written examination, made up of multiple-choice questions and essay/problem style questions based on course competencies and content knowledge. 

Any questions?