Audit and Governance

The expectations and obligations on audit committees continue to evolve in response to governance developments and the need for Boards and governing bodies to demonstrate that they are adhering to relevant audit, assurance and risk management requirements. The Audit committee charter will set out the duties of the Audit Committee in areas such as internal control, internal audit, external audit, financial reporting, risk management, reporting relationships within the organisation and its interaction with other committees. 

This event will be of benefit to new Audit (and Risk) Committee Members and those who wish to benchmark how their audit committee is functioning.

This Board Secretary course  is designed for those who have been newly or recently appointed to the position of Board Secretary in the public and not-for-profit sectors, and those who feel they would benefit from further or formal training.  The one day course will examine the role and responsibilities of the Secretary, both as prescribed, and in practice.  It will also look at good practices which a Secretary can introduce and foster to support good governance within their organisation.

In July 2024, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published the Code of Governance for Local Authorities. The Code is the successor to, and builds upon, the previous Governance Principles & Governance Framework for the Local Government Sector (2015).

The Code is to be the centrepiece of the governance framework for local authorities, who are expected to implement the Code in 2025. The code requirements and expectations are built around seven governance principles and attestation will be supported through a signed Governance Statement by each local authority and a Statement on Internal Financial Control, which will transition into a wider Statement on Internal Control in time.

This training event will be provide a briefing on the new code, including its provisions, the new obligations and expectations, and assurance statements, and will be relevant to elected members of local authorities, alongside members of the Audit Committees and those holding senior roles and roles in corporate services and internal control areas.

The updated revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies applies from 1 September 2016. This is the key guidance document on the corporate governance expectations of State Bodies and other organisations operating to state body and public sector norms. The Code updates and expands on the previous code with additional guidance on several areas.

State Bodies were given two options in relation to adoption of the provisions of the Code.  For those organisations who chose to adopt for the 2017 year-end, this session provides State Bodies with an ideal opportunity to revisit the key provisions of the Code.  

Public bodies and many other organisations in receipt of public support must insure that their corporate governance frameworks are of a best practice standard and that they are in compliance with specified corporate governance codes. This Corporate Governance For State And Public Sector Bodies course will give insights into the principles on which codes are based, provide an overview of the key issues for the different stakeholders and discuss the implications of how governance practices can be assessed.

Periodic Critical Review for Non-Commercial State Bodies will address the principle, rational and purpose underpinning Period Critical Reviews (PCRs), the role of State Bodies and Agencies and their interaction with parent and central Departments in the conduct of PCRs; approaches, guiding principles and methodologies for PCRs and key documentation and report required.

Effective management of risk is now recognised as a critical element of good governance and assurance arrangements in public service organisations and state agencies. Handling uncertainties and agreeing priorities has implications for strategic and business planning objectives, the relationship with stakeholders and also the resourcing, management and control of work programmes and activities.  Utilising the ISO risk management standard and building on our practical experience with client organisations, this specialist-led online course will give attendees a comprehensive introduction to this important governance and management process.

To respond to pressing global issues and delivering on corresponding Governments policies, public sector entities and public benefit organisations are embracing and implementing a range of sustainability and climate initiatives. In addition, the manner, nature and extent of sustainability reporting is evolving which requires companies and organisations (be they public, private or non-profit) to report beyond the financials and product or service delivery performance. More is expected of organisations today than has been the case heretofore, including, how they interact with the environment, with the local community, how they treat their staff and stakeholders and other factors.

Sustainability reporting can incorporate environmental considerations (e.g. energy usage and savings, waste, carbon footprint), social considerations (e.g. gender pay metrics, Human Rights, support of staff development and well-being) and governance considerations (e.g. transparency, ethics, code and statutory compliance), and gives stakeholders a better picture of the health of the company or organisation  encapsulated in its triple bottom line (TBL).