MAICSA has been prescribed as a professional body under Section 139A (a) of the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1992 with effect from 10 September 1992. Associates and Fellows of MAICSA will automatically qualify to act as Company Secretaries without having to apply for a license from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).

Grad ICSA will, however, have to apply for such a licence from the SSM.

In Malaysia, the FCIS and ACIS qualifications are recognised by the Government as equivalent to Honours degrees whilst the Grad ICSA is recognised as equivalent to a general degree. The Government has also gazetted MAICSA as a prescribed body under Section 139(A) of the Companies Act 1965, which means that Associate and Fellow members of MAICSA can automatically act as company secretaries without having to apply for a licence from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM). Members of the Institute with more than five years practical tax experience, either in the Government or private sector, are also eligible to apply to become tax agents under Section 153 (3) of Income Tax Act 1967.

In tandem with its mission of developing good corporate professionals, MAICSA is committed to maintaining the highest standard of integrity and ethical values within the profession. MAICSA also acts as a change catalyst in the corporate arena, participating actively in the enhancement of corporate governance. It has been championing best practices in corporate governance and educating the Malaysian corporate sector on its importance.