Online Courses

Public Servants are faced with increasing expectations, shifting priorities as well as an increasingly complex, ambiguous and uncertain environment. Delivering government and organisational strategy requires a capability in project, programme and portfolio management.

This two-day Programme Management Fundamentals course focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities of delivering complex programmes in the public sector and private sector alike. It concentrates on providing a firm understanding and grounding in programme management, so that participants are better equipped to further develop their skills in transformational change.

As well as covering the principles and practices of programme management, participants are also introduced to the main programme management methodologies, helping individuals and organisations wishing to develop their own in-house programme management practices.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner is a highly-interactive, three-day, instructor-led course prepares participants for the PMI-ACP (Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner) Accreditation; a world-wide recognition of knowledge of Agile principles, practices and tools and techniques across Agile methodologies. If you already use Agile practices or your organisation is adopting Agile methods, earning the PMI-ACP® certification will demonstrate your knowledge of and commitment to this rapidly growing approach to project management. This course covers the topics required for the PMI-ACP certification and includes practical activities related to the Agile Lifecycle. The course is very interactive with real activities related to the Agile Lifecycle activities. The course qualifies for 21 contact hours as required by the PMI for this certification. Price does not include cost of exam and students must book their exam slot with recognised providers.

Participants may choose not to take the exam in which case they will receive an IPA Certificate of Attendance.

This Introduction to Fraud and Control in Organisations webinar will provide an introduction to the concept of fraud and key controls in organisations.  The session will consider the concept of the fraud triangle, the characteristics of fraud and the opportunities that may exist in organisations as well as key elements of an anti fraud policy. The nature and extent of the control environment and control procedures and the role internal control plays in prevention and detection of fraudulent behaviour.

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.

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.

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.

The purpose of the annual financial statements is to provide useful information about the financial performance, position and cashflows of an organisation based on generally accepted accounting practice, norms and specific sectoral requirements. These statements are key elements of the holding to account process for the performance of organisations. Understandability, credibility and relevance are among the key principles which underpin the reports.  This series of three separate webinars will focus on key sectors of the public service and examine the format, content and the levels of data and information provision within the sets of accounts

The following key sectors will be examined and assessed in a separate one hour webinar:

• Central Government Appropriation Accounts
• State Bodies Financial Statements
• Local Authority Financial Statements

Finance for Non-Finance Managers within the Public Sector is a two day online course that is intended to provide an overview of the main aspects of finance confronting an increasing number of individuals in public service organisations.  Devolved financial management responsibilities have led to a redefinition of many roles and the establishment of many budget holders.  This has led to an increased need for people with an understanding of financial reporting, management accounting and control and audit.  This is a Specialist-led online course which is aimed at providing an overview of these areas of finance.

This Essentials of Internal Audit webinar will cover a range of key topics including the roles and responsibilities of the Internal Auditor,  key stakeholder engagements including with external audit and the audit and risk committee, the audit process and the relationship with management, key performance indicators and issues to consider in reviewing the quality of internal audit.