The information below is based on the prior program session and does not reflect potential changes to faculty and course content for future program offerings. Please consider applying to the related program.

Summary

As the focus on corporate governance and oversight has grown, so has the complexity of regulatory challenges facing audit committees. This virtual 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 will emerge from this live online program equipped to grapple with the understanding of how audit committees can deal with the new business environment created by the COVID-19 crisis.

You may also be interested in the related program: Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance.

This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More

Summary

You may also be interested in the related program: Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance.

This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More

Key Benefits

This audit committee virtual training program prepares you to manage the creative tension between the compliance and strategic roles of the audit committee. While improving your ability to ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability, you will learn how to move your company beyond a compliance mentality toward strategic financial reporting and effective risk management. You will take away key learnings that you can apply immediately to the challenges and uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 crisis.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Enable the audit committee to play a more strategic role 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 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 Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished directors 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

Key Benefits

Details

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 connecting and working with accomplished directors 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.

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.

Leaders in Virtual Learning

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Creating a Holistic Educational Experience

Master corporate governance with three complementary programs.

Read Her Story

Youngme Moon teaching in the HBSonline studio

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Leaders in Virtual Learning: When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Creating a Holistic Educational Experience

Master corporate governance with three complementary programs.

Read Her Story

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

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. The program includes a focus on the emerging issues resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. 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.

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. The program includes a focus on the emerging issues resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. 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.

Program Format

The program takes place over three days, with live, synchronous classes daily (10:00 AM to 2:45 PM ET, including two 30-minute breaks), two required welcoming sessions, and small group discussions for learning and networking. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. You will also have ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. We advise setting aside a total of 2-3 hours per day for program work in addition to the synchronous class sessions.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Strategy and financial reporting 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?
How has the COVID-19 crisis affected your strategy and how should financial reporting respond?

Transparency and investor communication 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 Risk management

How can audit committees create an appropriate risk management infrastructure in the company?
What risk management concerns have manifested during the COVD-19 crisis and how should you respond?
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 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?
How should your audit committee reorient itself to respond to the demands created by the COVID-19 crisis?

Key Topics

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?
How has the COVID-19 crisis affected your strategy and how should financial reporting respond?

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 risk management concerns have manifested during the COVD-19 crisis and how should you respond?
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?
How should your audit committee reorient itself to respond to the demands created by the COVID-19 crisis?

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.

Faculty Chair

Suraj Srinivasan

Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Accounting and Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Paul M. Healy

James R. Williston Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Accounting and Management

Read Full Bio

Lynn S. Paine

John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Krishna G. Palepu

Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Accounting and Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

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.

Faculty Chair

Suraj Srinivasan

Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Accounting and Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Paul M. Healy

James R. Williston Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Accounting and Management

Read Full Bio

Lynn S. Paine

John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Krishna G. Palepu

Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Accounting and Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

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Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Board Governance Comparison Chart

Compare programs at-a-glance to find what's right for you.

Learn More

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