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.
Expert-led learning
Practical and relevant
Flexible online learning
Recognised worldwide
Solutions for teams
Flexible ways to pay
Course overview
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, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a School of the University of Manchester.
New and improved format – designed around you
We listened to your feedback. This course has been redesigned, replacing the intensive, week-long workshop and exam format with a more flexible, staggered, and supported learning experience that fits around your life and time zones.
You'll benefit from updated content, short podcasts, interactive workshops, collaborative cohort learning, support videos, and a dedicated revision period to consolidate your knowledge before exams – giving you the time and space to succeed.
Want to know more?
Book a call with one of our friendly advisors.
Course details
Price£1950+ local taxes if applicable
MembershipTo take this course you need to be a member of STEP at Affiliate level or higher.
Set1 - Private Wealth Administration and Governance.
Recommended combinationsInternational Trust Management.
DeliveryAccess to an online learning platform with full study materials, four live virtual workshops, and a final examination.
CertificateAwarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester.
Next Course Start Date(s)09 November 2026
08 February 2027
08 February 2027
Course dates
Enrol now
Are you a STEP member?
You need to be a member of STEP at Affiliate level to take this course.
If you are not a member yet, you can join STEP directly via their website. Please allow five working days for your membership application to be approved by STEP.
Applicable local taxes and discounts will be added to your basket on checkout for this course.
- Internationally recognised
- Progress towards TEP status
- Connect with STEP's international professional network
Group booking discounts
Tailored pricing plans and group rate cards are available for firms seeking to train multiple team members or larger groups of employees. We are happy to work with you to design a cost-effective solution that aligns with your training goals and budget. Ask about group bookings.
Instalment Plans
You can pay for your course fees in instalments if you choose the interest-free instalment plans available for certain courses. Specifically, you can opt for three equal monthly instalments for Certificate and Advanced Certificate level courses that total over £800 (excluding VAT), or six equal monthly instalments for the Professional Postgraduate Diploma. Payments can be made using a credit or debit card.
What will I learn?
- An introduction to company law and practice3 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Characteristics of a company6 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Company formation and related issues6 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Registration and migration of foreign companies2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- The company's constitution6 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Equity, capital and distributions4 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Directors part I: role, appointment and removal of directors5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Directors part II: directors' powers and duties8 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Other officers of a company: secretary and registered agent5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Company decision-making procedures5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- The provision of company management services and beneficial owner control2 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
- Termination of companies5 topics (see the full topic list in the syllabus, opens in a new tab)
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Information Session: The STEP Diploma – International Trust Management Pathway
Join course tutor Natalie Dimond on Friday 27th November at 13:00-14:00 GMT for a virtual information session exploring the suite of STEP qualifications focused on international trust management.
Course format
This course has been refreshed with updated content and new features! It will be available for study four times a year and includes:
- expert-developed course material covering key global jurisdictions
- podcast summaries of key topics
- 4 interactive, tutor-led sessions focussed on application of knowledge
- assessment guidance video and self-assessment questions
- 4-hour final examination (comprising multiple choice and long-answer questions)
Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be awarded the STEP Advanced Certificate in Company Law and Practice.
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
STEP Diploma - Recommended combination
International Trust Management
The STEP Diploma is the benchmark qualification for those working in the field of trusts and estates. Comprised from four STEP Advanced Certificates, you choose from a range of over 20 papers to build a STEP Diploma that really works for you and your career ambitions, or from the STEP recommended pathways.
STEP Advanced Certificate in Company Law and Practice
Set 1 | Private Wealth Administration and Governance
This courseSTEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (International)
Set 1 | Private Wealth Administration and Governance
View courseSTEP Advanced Certificate in Trustees' Duties: Investment and Management of the Trust Fund
Set 1 | Private Wealth Administration and Governance
View courseSTEP Advanced Certificate in Principles of International Taxation, AML and Compliance
Set 2 | Tax and Compliance
View course
FAQs
Do I need to be a STEP member to enrol?
Yes, in order to enrol on a STEP Advanced Certificate, you will need to be an Affiliate Member or higher. STEP qualifications require students to hold the correct level of membership before enrolment. This ensures students are part of the STEP professional framework, have access to resources, and meet eligibility criteria.
You can apply for membership directly from the STEP website.
If all required information is submitted correctly, STEP typically processes membership applications within 5 working days.
How long does this qualification take to complete?
Most STEP Qualifications take around 4 months to complete, with online workshops every month and a final exam around 4 weeks after the final workshop. We recommend study time of 4-6 hours per week for the duration of the course.
Can I take this course standalone?
Yes, this qualification can be taken as a standalone qualification if you wish, or as part of the STEP Diploma, which comprises of 4 STEP Advanced Certificates from applicable sets. This qualification is part of the International Trust Management recommended route.
How is this qualification assessed?
This qualification is assessed via a 4-hour final examination comprising multiple choice and long-answer questions. You will recieve an assessment guidance video and self-assessment questions as part of your course materials.
What jobs or career opportunities can this qualification support?
The qualification is particularly relevant for 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.
Is this course suitable for international students?
Yes. The course is designed for an international audience, can be studied globally, and focuses on international trust concepts relevant across multiple jurisdictions.
What is the difference between this course and the STEP Certificate in International Trust Management?
The STEP Certificate provides introductory knowledge, while the Advanced Certificate is a higher-level qualification designed for experienced practitioners and forms part of the STEP Diploma.
