INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountant Act, Laws of Kenya)
THE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ETHICS CONFERENCE
Theme: Building public trust in organization-wide governance and ethical structures
Date: 11th – 15th October 2021
Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa
OVERVIEW
Research has demonstrated that well-governed institutions worldwide perform better in financial terms. Good governance starts with a well-functioning, well-meaning board of directors that is at the heart of an organization’s corporate governance framework and is crucial to ensuring all other governance components are working effectively. Interestingly, governance remains one of the major challenges faced by corporate executives today. Changes in society, new business models, globalization and shifting economic headwinds all contribute to making it more difficult for boards to respond effectively with the right corporate governance practices.
Corporate ethics is a form of professional ethics, that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations. These ethics originate from individuals, organizational statements or from the legal system. These norms, values, ethical, and unethical practices are the principles that guide a business. They help those businesses maintain a better connection with their stakeholders. Business ethics refers to contemporary organizational standards, principles, sets of values and norms that govern the actions and behavior of an individual in the business organization.
Often compliance and ethics are seen as a very strict list of rules and requirements, making people afraid to step out of line rather than encouraging their buy-in. The Conference will focus on a book by Hayward & Osborn on Compliance and Ethics which challenges this industry norm, painting it as the reason why compliance is a broken concept within the industry. It is effective in that it paves the path for clear documentation and defensible actions for companies who wish to stay insulated from any potential legal vulnerabilities created by employees. Focusing on the what and how without explaining the why creates an emotional disconnect and uninspired employees who will be more prone to burnout.
The book also explains how to engage employees in a way that motivates them while continuing to reduce the risk of penalties and damage to reputation.
When creating rules and regulations, the human factor may be overlooked. But the human factor is the key to a strong compliance and ethics programme. It’s not just finding employees willing to toe the line but connecting with them so that they champion company values. Engaged employees are more likely to be proud and zealous in upholding company values to which they are aligned. In short, a positive approach brings better results than using fear. Executed properly, a compliance and ethics program turn employees into stakeholders. This value-based culture of shared ownership can transform an organization.
Good principles of corporate ethics are integral to the modern-day Senior Executives and directors as they point towards the important skills and attributes required to navigate the business towards efficiency and growth by minimizing losses that would emanate from revenue leakages through fraud. Ethical principles are thus important if entrenched in the whole organization and if practiced by all staff with of course the right tone set at the top and tricking down across the chain of command within the organization.
It is against this backdrop that ICPAK has organized a Governance and Ethics Conference to focus on the following key topics:
• Strategic Leadership: The Governance of Strategy – Effective review of organization’s core purpose, sustainability and developing smart strategic plan objectives and goals.
• A review of the book: The business guide to effective compliance & ethics, by Hayward & Osborn, Clear, thorough and practical compliance guidance for employees and decision-makers to help their organizations succeed and flourish.
• The Role of the Board and Management in prudent financial stewardship & accountability
• Principles of Corporate Governance Reporting and Disclosures
• Effective Delegation by the Board and Senior Management: From Control to Empowerment
• Essentials of Good Governance: Striking a balance between the Board and the CEO’s Mandate
• Global governance issues affecting Corporations:
i. Increasing expectation of board oversight on Human Capital issues and corporate culture
ii. Managing shareholder activism, virtual board and virtual shareholder meetings
iii. The increasing emphasis on corporate purpose
• Broader view of board diversity to include ethnicity and race
• Key considerations in managing shareholder involvement in the business: Effective principles of role separation
• IT Governance: The Role of the Board and Management in the technology agenda and IT transformation
• Setting up an effective internal controls’ framework in support of organizational ethics and integrity
• Risk Governance: Critical Risk Management infrastructure for effective organization-wide risk monitoring and reporting
• Organizational Culture: Effective tone at the top in setting the right culture
• Effective governance principles on sustainability and climate change agenda
• Ethics and Leadership
i. The Board as an ethical role model and guardian of integrity
ii. Integrating integrity into business strategy and corporate culture
iii. Mobilizing people to make a positive change in the world and promote public value
iv. Practical approaches of reducing corporate failures
• Assessing the true cost of corruption and unethical behavior to the business
The conference targets:
- Board of Directors and Audit Committee Members
- CEOs, CFOs, Divisional Leaders and Senior Strategic Managers
- Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Experts
- Internal & External Auditors
- Academia, Industry players, Policy Makers, Industry regulators and stakeholders from both private and public sectors
CHARGES
| Category | Amount |
| Associate Members | KShs 55,000 per Delegate |
| Full Members | KShs. 65,000 per Delegate |
| Non-Member | KShs. 70,000 per Delegate |
*** The cost caters for training fee, training materials, certificate and meals during the conference. Please note that delegates are required to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
Continuous Professional Development Units
Members of ICPAK and those from other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 20 Structured CPD points upon successfully attending all conference sessions.
National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement
The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 15th
The training presents a perfect opportunity for organizations to showcase their products & services to a target group with high purchasing powers, both on personal and corporate levels. You will also have a unique opportunity for brand positioning and communication that will enjoy optimal visibility. Armed with significant purchasing power and decision-making authority, the audience are a key target group for businesses. For more information or inquiries please email raphael.nguli@icpak.com.
For further inquiries, kindly contact Andrew Kavoo at andrew.kavoo@icpak.com with a copy to Joy Kakai at joy.kakai@icpak.com. Reach us on call: +254 719 074000/129.
We encourage you to regularly visit our website www.icpak.com for updates on the Conference.
