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.
Course fees: £1875 + Local taxes
New and improved format
This course has been redesigned for cohorts beginning December 2025 to offer a more engaging, flexible, and supported learning experience. You’ll benefit from updated content, bite-size videos to learn at your own pace, interactive workshops and collaborative cohort learning. A new revision period allows you to consolidate knowledge before exams.
This modern course format empowers you to study with confidence and stay on track to achieve your career goals.
Course dates, fees and enrol now:
If you live outside of these regions, we recommend selecting the region with the time zone that suits you best.
Customised Pricing and Group Rates
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.
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
A flexible, part-time course delivered online over four months.
Once you have successfully completed this course, you will gain 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership and be awarded the STEP Advanced Certificate in Company Law and Practice.
Courses starting before December 2025
Enrolment includes:
- online guided study, including self-assessment questions
- four tutor-led workshops
- 5-hour final examination (comprising multiple choice and long-answer questions)
Courses starting from December 2025
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
- video summaries of key topics
- 4 interactive, tutor-led sessions focussed on application of knowledge
- assessment preparation session and self-assessment questions
- 4-hour final examination (comprising multiple choice and long-answer questions)
Any questions?
STEP Diploma: Recommended route for trust professionals