Course Overview
The Certificate in Trust Secretarial program is designed to equip learners with specialized knowledge and practical skills in trust administration, scheme governance, trustee management, compliance reporting, and secretarial services for pension schemes and other trusts.
The course prepares students to understand the legal and regulatory framework governing trusts in Kenya, the duties of a trust secretary, record-keeping requirements, meeting management, and communication with trustees and regulators.
At Hallmark Institute, the Certificate in Trust Secretarial program combines theoretical understanding with practical case studies to prepare learners for professional roles in pension scheme administration, trust companies, and corporate secretarial departments.
Why Study Trust Secretarial?
Pension schemes, welfare funds, and other trusts in Kenya are required by law to have competent secretarial support. Trust secretaries play a critical role in ensuring compliance, maintaining records, organizing trustee meetings, and liaising with regulators such as the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).
This course helps you:
- Understand the legal and regulatory framework for trusts in Kenya
- Learn the duties and responsibilities of a trust secretary
- Master trustee meeting management and minutes writing
- Understand scheme documentation, record-keeping, and filings
- Prepare for careers in pension administration, trust companies, and corporate secretarial services
The Certificate in Trust Secretarial qualification is highly valuable for pension scheme administrators, trust companies, corporate secretarial firms, SACCOs, welfare funds, and any organization that manages a trust.
Course Objectives
By the end of this program, learners will be able to:
- Understand the legal definition and types of trusts under Kenyan law
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of trustees and the trust secretary
- Organize and manage trustee meetings effectively
- Draft professional minutes, resolutions, and scheme documents
- Maintain statutory records and registers for trusts
- Prepare and file compliance returns with RBA and other regulators
- Advise trustees on governance, conflict of interest, and fiduciary duties
- Support scheme communication with members and service providers
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideal for:
- Pension scheme administrators and secretariat staff
- Trust secretaries and assistant trust secretaries
- Corporate secretarial professionals
- Trustees seeking to understand secretarial functions
- Lawyers and legal assistants working with trusts
- HR and finance professionals managing welfare funds
- Recent graduates seeking specialization in pension administration
- Individuals pursuing careers in trust and scheme management
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Certificate in Trust Secretarial program can pursue careers as:
- Trust Secretary
- Assistant Trust Secretary
- Scheme Secretariat Officer
- Pension Scheme Administrator
- Trust Administrator
- Corporate Secretarial Assistant
- Compliance Officer (Trusts)
- Governance Officer (Pension Schemes)
- Trust Consultant (entry level)
The certificate also provides a pathway to advanced qualifications such as the Certified Pension Manager (CPM) diploma and professional certifications in governance and secretarial practice.
Course Structure
The program covers key areas including:
- Introduction to Trusts under Kenyan Law (Trustee Act, RBA Act)
- Types of Trusts: Pension schemes, welfare funds, family trusts, charitable trusts
- Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees
- The Trust Secretary: Duties, powers, and accountability
- Trustee Meetings: Planning, agendas, quorum, voting, and resolutions
- Minutes Writing: Formats, accuracy, legal standing, and distribution
- Scheme Documentation: Trust deeds, rules, policies, and member handbooks
- Statutory Records: Register of trustees, member registers, meeting files
- Compliance and Filings: RBA returns, annual reports, disclosure requirements
- Communication with Trustees, Members, and Service Providers
- Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct for Trustees and Secretaries
- Ethics and Professionalism in Trust Secretariat
Training is delivered through practical sessions, case studies from real pension schemes, sample meeting scenarios, minutes writing exercises, and guided learning approaches.
Learning Options
Hallmark Institute offers flexible learning options to suit both students and working professionals:
- Physical classroom learning (Nairobi & Nanyuki campuses)
- Weekend classes
- Evening classes
- Online / virtual learning
Certification
Upon successful completion of the program, learners receive professional certification issued by The TVET CDACC (Technical Vocational Education & Training – Curriculum Development Assessment & Certification Council)