EFFECTIVE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AUDIT
Driving Transparency, Accountability, and Compliance Through Robust Governance Auditing
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 04 – 08 Aug 2025 | London – UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
Corporate governance is central to the long-term success and ethical functioning of any organization. A strong governance audit ensures accountability, enhances strategic oversight, and minimizes the risk of non-compliance and reputational damage. This intensive course empowers internal auditors and governance professionals with the frameworks, techniques, and tools needed to evaluate and improve governance structures.
Participants will gain practical insights into auditing board effectiveness, regulatory compliance, risk governance, and ethical practices. The program aligns with global best practices and standards, equipping attendees to carry out independent and objective audits that add real value to the governance process.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand the principles and frameworks of effective corporate governance
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Conduct governance audits in line with international standards
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Evaluate board structures, roles, and responsibilities
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Assess ethical culture, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance
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Prepare governance audit reports with actionable recommendations
Key Benefits of Attending
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Enhance your capability to audit governance practices in complex organizations
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Learn to identify and report governance gaps and risks
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Gain insights into board dynamics, ethics, and regulatory alignment
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Improve organizational accountability and transparency
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Access templates, tools, and real-world governance audit examples
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
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Internal and external auditors
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Corporate governance officers and compliance professionals
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Board secretaries and directors
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Risk and audit committee members
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Senior management responsible for governance oversight
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
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Proficiency in auditing corporate governance processes
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In-depth understanding of governance frameworks and board performance
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Skills in assessing ethical leadership and compliance culture
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Capability to develop practical audit recommendations
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Enhanced confidence in engaging with senior leadership and board members
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
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Strengthened governance structure and oversight mechanisms
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Reduced governance-related risks and improved regulatory compliance
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Increased stakeholder trust and organizational integrity
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Higher audit quality and more actionable governance audit outcomes
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Improved board performance and strategic alignment
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
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Strategy Briefings – Deep dive into corporate governance principles, regulatory frameworks, and governance audit standards
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Case Studies – Real-world examples of governance successes and failures
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Workshops – Hands-on audit planning, execution, and reporting exercises
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Peer Exchange – Group discussions on audit challenges and board dynamics
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Tools – Templates for governance audit checklists, board evaluations, and risk
Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Foundations of Corporate Governance and Auditing
Module 1: Corporate Governance Frameworks (07:30 – 09:30)
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Definition, objectives, and significance of corporate governance
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Overview of global governance codes (OECD, UK Code, etc.)
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Governance vs management vs compliance
Module 2: Role of Audit in Governance (09:45 – 11:15)
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Governance audit vs internal audit vs compliance audit
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Expectations from governance auditors
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Stakeholder perspectives and audit value
Module 3: Governance Risks and Controls (11:30 – 01:00)
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Common governance risks (fraud, ethics, regulatory failure)
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Risk identification and control mapping
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Aligning audit objectives with governance goals
Module 4: Workshop – Governance Risk Scenarios (02:00 – 03:30)
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Group activity analyzing governance failures
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Identifying gaps and lessons learned
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Risk and root cause analysis
Day 2: Auditing Governance Structures and Board Effectiveness
Module 1: Board Composition and Responsibilities (07:30 – 09:30)
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Board roles, independence, and diversity
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Committees: audit, risk, remuneration, nominations
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Board dynamics and effectiveness indicators
Module 2: Board Performance Auditing (09:45 – 11:15)
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Assessing board meetings, agendas, minutes, and follow-ups
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Director competencies and conflict of interest evaluation
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Performance reviews and self-assessment tools
Module 3: Ethical Culture and Tone at the Top (11:30 – 01:00)
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Ethics programs, whistleblowing, and leadership behavior
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Code of conduct and organizational values
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Auditing ethical governance
Module 4: Workshop – Board Evaluation Audit (02:00 – 03:30)
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Practice audit using board effectiveness checklist
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Reporting findings and recommendations
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Presenting to audit committees
Day 3: Stakeholder Governance and Regulatory Compliance
Module 1: Stakeholder Rights and Engagement (07:30 – 09:30)
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Identifying key stakeholders
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Transparency, disclosures, and communications
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Auditing stakeholder feedback mechanisms
Module 2: Regulatory Governance Audit (09:45 – 11:15)
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Legal and regulatory compliance framework
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Auditing for compliance gaps and enforcement risks
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Monitoring tools and documentation
Module 3: ESG and Corporate Responsibility (11:30 – 01:00)
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Environmental, social, and governance trends
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Sustainability reporting and its audit implications
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ESG risk assessments
Module 4: Workshop – Stakeholder Governance Audit (02:00 – 03:30)
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Evaluating stakeholder practices in a case study
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Identifying improvement opportunities
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Audit report drafting
Day 4: Audit Execution and Reporting
Module 1: Governance Audit Planning (07:30 – 09:30)
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Defining scope, objectives, and risk areas
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Selecting the audit approach and criteria
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Planning interviews and data requests
Module 2: Fieldwork and Evidence Gathering (09:45 – 11:15)
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Interviewing board members and executives
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Document review techniques
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Evaluating evidence reliability
Module 3: Audit Reporting and Follow-Up (11:30 – 01:00)
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Structuring audit reports
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Writing clear and actionable findings
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Follow-up audits and tracking recommendations
Module 4: Workshop – Drafting a Governance Audit Report (02:00 – 03:30)
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Group work to write a sample report section
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Feedback from peers and instructor
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Refining report language and impact
Day 5: Continuous Improvement and Integration
Module 1: Integrating Governance with Risk and Compliance (07:30 – 09:30)
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Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) model
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Auditing GRC integration across departments
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Reporting to boards and executive committees
Module 2: Internal Audit’s Role in Strategic Governance (09:45 – 11:15)
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Linking governance audits to strategic objectives
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Audit alignment with corporate planning cycles
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Evolving role of auditors in governance
Module 3: Emerging Trends in Governance Auditing (11:30 – 01:00)
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Digital governance and cybersecurity
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AI and technology in boardrooms
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Governance reporting frameworks (GRI, SASB, etc.)
Module 4: Final Review and Action Planning (02:00 – 03:30)
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Personal action plans and audit readiness checklists
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Group reflection and key takeaways
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Course closure and feedback
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Effective Corporate Governance Audit, validating their expertise in evaluating and improving governance practices within organizations using global audit standards.