The aim of the Corporate Governance Course is to:

• Appreciate the importance of corporate governance, and of current and potential future corporate governance trends in Ireland and the EU.
• Identify the role of organisational culture, structure and process in shaping corporate decision making, accountability, controls and behaviour.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how the principles of corporate governance can be applied to different types of organisation across the private, public and not- for-profit sectors.
• Critically evaluate the extent to which their own organisations demonstrate characteristics of good and effective corporate governance.
• Appreciate the value of embedding best practice governance policies and procedures into the culture of an organisation.
• Identify the practical operational benefits that should result from the application of the principles of good governance.
• Take a more active and informed role in supporting the management of the organisations with which they are associated.

Corporate Governance Framework

• Describe the history of corporate governance in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK, noting international best practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various legal mechanisms regulating Corporate governance in Ireland, including the role of the Companies Office and Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement.
• Evaluate the role of corporate governance in supporting business strategy.
• Identify the main structures and processes involved in developing an organisational framework for corporate governance.

Institutional Structure and Governance

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key roles and reporting relationships.
• Supporting the corporate governance framework.
• Make the distinction between governance and management.
• Identify the responsibilities of the company board as a corporate body.
• Evaluate the different legal forms, sizes, structures and styles of different types of company board.
• Identify the responsibilities and duties of individual board members, including formal members, shadow directors and officers.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the different key terms of reference for committees and sub-committees of the board.

Governance and Compliance

• Demonstrate understanding of the role of the board in ensuring good stewardship of resources.
• Describe the main provisions of the companies (auditing and accounting) act 2003 as it relates to corporate governance and compliance.
• Describe the role of the board in overseeing compliance issues generally and specifically accounting policies and internal controls.
• Identify the main statutory returns required of a company under law and the timeframes for making same.

Risk Management

• Explain the role of the board in the appraisal and management of risk.
• Understand basic principles and practices of risk management.
•  Appreciate the contribution that internal control makes to effective risk management and governance.
• Understand the role that internal audit might play within an organisation’s risk management and governance efforts.
• Evaluate the different ways of embedding risk management procedures and practice into corporate governance policies and organisational behaviour.

Principles and Practice of Good Governance

• Demonstrate critical understanding of boardroom ethics including the conduct of meetings, board dynamics, and standards of behaviour.
• Demonstrate critical understanding of the promotion and maintenance of trust that underpins the management of management.
• Identify ways to prevent the development or acceptance of unethical practices.
• Incorporate the core values and standards of the organisation into a code of business conduct.
• Identify an appropriate range of protocols to support staff and board members in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of succession planning and its role in organisation development and capacity building.
• Evaluate own board performance against agreed list of governance responsibilities.

The participants on the corporate governance course will complete a combination of appropriate assessment procedures to include a combination of final written examination (20%), an assignment (30%) and project(50%). (All assignments and skills demonstrations will be designed to maximize the individual participant’s skills in their career development).