Governance and ComplianceAudit Committee Effectiveness
An audit committee is the board's principal defence against being surprised, and it fails quietly when it receives thick packs, asks polite questions and never speaks to anybody without management present. This course covers doing the job properly. Delegates work through the committee's mandate and its distinct responsibilities for financial reporting, internal control, audit and risk. Reading financial statements critically is covered, including the estimates and judgements where problems hide. Overseeing internal audit and preserving its independence follows, along with appointing and evaluating an external auditor. Private sessions, escalation and whistleblowing oversight are addressed. The course closes on committee evaluation and on the questions worth asking.
Course objectives
- Define the committee mandate and its distinct responsibilities
- Read financial statements critically, focusing on estimates and judgements
- Oversee internal audit and protect its independence
- Appoint, evaluate and challenge an external auditor
- Hold private sessions and handle escalation properly
- Oversee whistleblowing and investigation outcomes
- Evaluate the committee and ask the questions that matter
Who should attend
- Audit committee chairs and members
- Non executive directors
- Chief audit executives and internal audit staff
- Chief financial officers and company secretaries
- Executives preparing papers for the committee
Course outline
- 01Thick packs and polite questions
- 02Mandate and responsibilities
- 03Financial reporting oversight
- 04Estimates, judgements and where problems hide
- 05Internal audit oversight and independence
- 06External auditor appointment and challenge
- 07Private sessions and escalation
- 08Whistleblowing oversight and committee evaluation
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 7 October 2026 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 19 to 20 October 2026 | Harare, Zimbabwe | Classroom | USD 795 per delegate | Register Now |
| 27 to 28 October 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya | Classroom | USD 795 per delegate | Register Now |
| 2 to 3 February 2027 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R11,950 per delegate | Register Now |