Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
- Upcoming Sessions
- (1 of 3)
- Dates: 15–17 NOV 2023
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $7,500
- Dates: 17–19 JUL 2024
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $7,500
- Dates: 20–22 NOV 2024
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $7,500

"Anyone would benefit from this program because the cases reflect situations we all deal with."
Summary
As the focus on corporate governance and oversight has grown, so has the complexity of regulatory challenges facing audit committees. This corporate governance strategy program explores the best practices that your audit committee can use to fulfill its mandate and increase its strategic contribution. You will acquire the frameworks to align corporate strategy with financial reporting—and help your company operate more effectively in today's rigorous market and regulatory environment.
You may also be interested in the related program: Audit Committees—Virtual.

This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More
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Summary
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As the focus on corporate governance and oversight has grown, so has the complexity of regulatory challenges facing audit committees. This corporate governance strategy program explores the best practices that your audit committee can use to fulfill its mandate and increase its strategic contribution. You will acquire the frameworks to align corporate strategy with financial reporting—and help your company operate more effectively in today's rigorous market and regulatory environment.
You may also be interested in the related program: Audit Committees—Virtual.
This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Enable the audit committee to play a more strategic roleEnable the audit committee to play a more strategic role
- Align financial reporting, compliance, and risk management functions with the company's growth and profit objectives
- Ensure the integrity of financial information
- Foster the right culture regarding compliance and risk
- Develop a financial reporting strategy
Improve audit committee effectivenessImprove audit committee effectiveness
- Develop better tools to manage cybersecurity and other risks
- Enhance oversight of the finance, accounting, and risk management functions
- Improve transparency and the quality of audit and financial reporting
- Oversee legal and regulatory compliance more effectively
- Strengthen collaboration with corporate management and auditors
- Ensure optimal communication with investors on financial reporting and disclosure
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Enable the audit committee to play a more strategic role
- Align financial reporting, compliance, and risk management functions with the company's growth and profit objectives
- Ensure the integrity of financial information
- Foster the right culture regarding compliance and risk
- Develop a financial reporting strategy
Improve audit committee effectiveness
- Develop better tools to manage cybersecurity and other risks
- Enhance oversight of the finance, accounting, and risk management functions
- Improve transparency and the quality of audit and financial reporting
- Oversee legal and regulatory compliance more effectively
- Strengthen collaboration with corporate management and auditors
- Ensure optimal communication with investors on financial reporting and disclosure
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Who Should Attend
- Current or potential audit committee members on boards of publicly listed companies, board chairs, and chief executive officers
- Chief financial officers, general counsels, and risk officers who work closely with audit committees
- Also appropriate for: Audit firm partners, investor relations professionals, legal advisors, and nonprofit board members
Attendance by two or more representatives of your audit committee or organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
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Who Should Attend
-
- Current or potential audit committee members on boards of publicly listed companies, board chairs, and chief executive officers
- Chief financial officers, general counsels, and risk officers who work closely with audit committees
- Also appropriate for: Audit firm partners, investor relations professionals, legal advisors, and nonprofit board members
Attendance by two or more representatives of your audit committee or organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact.
Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Learning and Living at HBS
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
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Learning and Living at HBS
-
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
Admissions Criteria and Process
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
What You Will Learn
The curriculum addresses the core responsibilities of audit committees as well as the emerging area of risk management. You will learn how to strengthen internal control systems and ensure that your company's strategy is reflected in its financial reporting. Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, and small group discussions, you will explore four key areas critical to effective audit committees.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
-
What You Will Learn
-
The curriculum addresses the core responsibilities of audit committees as well as the emerging area of risk management. You will learn how to strengthen internal control systems and ensure that your company's strategy is reflected in its financial reporting. Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, and small group discussions, you will explore four key areas critical to effective audit committees.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Strategy and financial reportingStrategy and financial reporting
- What are the drivers of success and risk in the company? How are these reflected in its financial reporting?
- How should audit committees provide oversight of financial reporting and risk management?
- How can the company best manage its key financial reporting risks?
Transparency and investor communicationTransparency and investor communication
- How can audit committees ensure that the company is meeting investor expectations for improved transparency in financial reporting and disclosure?
- What role, if any, should audit committees play in the investor relations process?
- How should you assess the costs and benefits of providing non-GAAP disclosures? What form should non-GAAP disclosures take?
- How should the financial reporting strategy balance short-term performance pressure with achievement of long-term objectives?
Risk managementRisk management
- How can audit committees create an appropriate risk management infrastructure in the company?
- What are the risk culture and the tone at the top of the company, and how do they affect corporate performance?
- How should companies manage their cybersecurity risk, and how should boards monitor this?
- How can companies use strong internal controls to promote rather than hamper growth?
- How can audit committees measure performance in the areas of ethics and compliance?
Audit committee processesAudit committee processes
- How can audit committees better manage their relationships with directors, corporate management, and internal and external auditors?
- What can an audit committee do to help improve audit quality?
- How can audit committees ensure effective talent management and succession planning in the finance, accounting, and risk management function?
- How can audit committees be designed to manage increasing demands?
Strategy and financial reporting
- What are the drivers of success and risk in the company? How are these reflected in its financial reporting?
- How should audit committees provide oversight of financial reporting and risk management?
- How can the company best manage its key financial reporting risks?
Transparency and investor communication
- How can audit committees ensure that the company is meeting investor expectations for improved transparency in financial reporting and disclosure?
- What role, if any, should audit committees play in the investor relations process?
- How should you assess the costs and benefits of providing non-GAAP disclosures? What form should non-GAAP disclosures take?
- How should the financial reporting strategy balance short-term performance pressure with achievement of long-term objectives?
Risk management
- How can audit committees create an appropriate risk management infrastructure in the company?
- What are the risk culture and the tone at the top of the company, and how do they affect corporate performance?
- How should companies manage their cybersecurity risk, and how should boards monitor this?
- How can companies use strong internal controls to promote rather than hamper growth?
- How can audit committees measure performance in the areas of ethics and compliance?
Audit committee processes
- How can audit committees better manage their relationships with directors, corporate management, and internal and external auditors?
- What can an audit committee do to help improve audit quality?
- How can audit committees ensure effective talent management and succession planning in the finance, accounting, and risk management function?
- How can audit committees be designed to manage increasing demands?
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration
Thomas D. Casserly, Jr. Professor of Business Administration
Baker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
McLean Family Professor of Business Administration
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The HBS Advantage
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Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Faculty ChairPhilip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Accounting and ManagementFacultyThomas D. Casserly, Jr. Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Accounting and ManagementBaker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
HBS Unit:General ManagementRoss Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
HBS Units:Accounting and ManagementGeneral ManagementMcLean Family Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Accounting and Management
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.4%Africa8%Asia Pacific16%Europe9%Latin America10%Middle East53%North America4%Africa8%Asia Pacific16%Europe9%Latin America10%Middle East53%North AmericaEducationEducationHighest level attainedHighest level attainedEducationHighest level attainedJD/LawJD/LawMDMDPhDPhDMBAMBAMS/MAMS/MABS/BABS/BATwo Year CollegeTwo Year CollegeForeign DiplomaForeign DiplomaHigh School DiplomaHigh School DiplomaJD/LawJD/LawMDMDPhDPhDMBAMBAMS/MAMS/MABS/BABS/BATwo Year CollegeTwo Year CollegeForeign DiplomaForeign DiplomaHigh School DiplomaHigh School Diploma
