About Course

Audit Committees and Corporate Governance Training

Category: Accounting and Finance Training

Overview

The Expedition

About the Program

Audit Committees and Governance Training prepares current and future audit committee members, board directors, and senior executives to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls. The program covers regulatory requirements, global best practices, and practical tools to enhance oversight and accountability. Delivered in classroom, virtual, and blended formats, participants engage in interactive exercises and case studies. Completion awards certification, demonstrating the ability to drive ethical leadership and ensure organizational integrity.

Course Objectives

By the end of this Audit Committees and Governance Training course, participants will be able to:

Understand the strategic importance of audit committees in governance
Define roles and responsibilities aligned with regulatory frameworks and best practices
Evaluate internal and external audit functions for organizational value
Strengthen risk management and control oversight
Foster a culture of accountability and ethical conduct

Target Audience

Audit committee members (current and incoming)
Board members and non-executive directors
Chief audit executives and internal auditors
Senior finance and risk executives
Governance and compliance professionals

Training Duration

Classroom: 5 Days

Online: 7 Days

Course Modules

Module 1: The Strategic Role of Audit Committees

Purpose, authority, and structure of audit committees
Evolution of the audit committee’s role in modern governance
Audit committee charters: components and customizations
Relationship with the board, management, and auditors

Module 2: Audit Committee Responsibilities and Duties

Oversight of financial reporting and disclosures
Monitoring internal control systems and compliance
Evaluating risk management frameworks
Role in fraud risk assessment and prevention

Module 3: Internal and External Audit Oversight

Reviewing and approving audit plans
Assessing the independence and effectiveness of internal auditors
Evaluating external audit performance and recommendations
Managing auditor communication and follow-up processes

Module 4: Enhancing Financial Oversight

Analyzing financial statements and disclosures
Understanding accounting policies and red flags
Reviewing management judgments and estimates
Ensuring integrity in financial reporting

Module 5: Risk Governance and Control Monitoring

Audit committees and enterprise risk management (ERM)
Aligning risk appetite with strategic objectives
Assessing emerging risks (cybersecurity, ESG, digital disruption)
Collaborating with other board subcommittees (e.g., risk, IT, ethics)

Module 6: Regulatory Expectations and Global Best Practices

Key regulatory frameworks and codes (e.g., OECD, SOX, CG Codes)
Audit committee benchmarks and performance indicators
International perspectives and case studies
Responding to regulator reviews and stakeholder scrutiny

Module 7: Building Effective Audit Committee Dynamics

Selection, composition, and diversity of audit committees
Chairperson leadership and meeting effectiveness
Confidentiality, independence, and conflict of interest
Evaluating audit committee performance

Module 8: Ethics, Integrity and Whistleblower Oversight

Upholding ethical standards across the organization
Role in overseeing whistleblower policies and investigations
Promoting transparency and trust with stakeholders
Case scenarios in ethical leadership

Delivery Method

This program is taught through a mix of practical activities, theory, group work and case studies. Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.