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Roles, Responsibilities and RelationshipsSchool Board Audit Committee Training Module 1 Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
Session objectives After completing this session you will:Understand the duties of the audit committee as defined in the Education Act – 0.Reg 361/10, Section 9 Understand the role and accountabilities of the audit committee Be able to apply best practices in effective audit committee governance
(Source: Deloitte-The Effective Not-for Profit Board)What is Governance? A definition: Governance refers to the processes and structures used to direct and manage an organization’s operations and activities. It defines the division of power, and establishes mechanisms to achieve accountability among stakeholders, the board of directors/trustees and management. (Source: Deloitte-The Effective Not-for Profit Board) The developing role of the audit committee in the school board environment is very much connected to the idea of promoting sound governance.
Importance of GovernanceBenefits of good governance systems: Helps organizations focus on the activities which contribute most to their overall objectives. Helps organizations utilize resources for maximum effectiveness. Helps ensure the organization is managed in the best interests of its principal stakeholders.
The Traditional Model of GovernanceBoard Audit Committee Management Auditors (Source: Integrity in the Spotlight – Opportunities for Audit Committees)
Keep them informed. But not TOO informed.Governance Board Meeting Keep them informed. But not TOO informed.
The New Model of GovernanceBoard Audit Committee Auditors Management (Source: Integrity in the Spotlight – Opportunities for Audit Committees)
Governance Exercise At your tables discuss the benefits and challenges relating to the new governance model.
Elements of Audit Committee EffectivenessMandate Mandate Mandate Mandate and Charter And Charter And Charter And Charter Accountability, Accountability, Managing Managing Accountability, Accountability, Managing Managing The Right People The Right People Relationships Relationships The Right People The Right People Reporting and Reporting and Reporting and Reporting and Relationships Relationships Evaluation Evaluation Evaluation Evaluation Information Information Information Information and Processes And Processes And Processes And Processes (Source: Integrity in the Spotlight – Opportunities for Audit Committees)
Audit Committee of the Board has duties related toRole and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties of the Audit Committee [ON Regulation 361/10] Financial Reporting Process Risk Management Internal Controls Audit Committee of the Board has duties related to Compliance Matters Internal Auditor External Auditor Many duties are completed by the Audit Committee with updates from Management and the external and/or internal auditors
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties related to the Financial Reporting Process [ON Regulation 361/10 9(1)] To review the School Board’s financial statements To review the results of the external audit To recommend, to the Board of Trustees, the approval of the annual audited financial statements To review matters that the external auditor is required to communicate to the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards To review with the external auditor material written communications
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties related to internal controls [ON Regulation 361/10 9(2)] To review the overall effectiveness of internal controls To review the scope of the internal and external auditor’s reviews of internal controls, as well as the findings, recommendations and management’s responses To discuss with the School Board officials the significant financial risks and the measures the officials have taken to monitor and manage these risks
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties related to the internal auditor [ON Regulation 361/10 9(3)] To review the internal auditor’s mandate, activities, staffing and organizational structure To make recommendations on the content of the internal audit plan and on all proposed major changes to the plan To ensure there are no unjustified restrictions or limitations on the scope of the annual internal audit To review at least once in each fiscal year the performance of the internal auditor and provide comments regarding his or her performance To review the effectiveness of the internal auditor, including the internal auditor’s compliance with standards for internal auditing To meet on a regular basis with the internal auditor To review findings, recommendations and any difficulties encountered in the course of the internal auditor’s work
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties related to the external auditor [ON Regulation 361/10 9(4)] To review the performance of the external auditor and make recommendations to the Board on the appointment, replacement or dismissal of the external auditor and on the fee and fee adjustment for the external auditor To review the external auditor’s audit plan To review and confirm the independence of the external auditor To meet on a regular basis with the external auditor and discuss important matters To resolve any disagreements between management and the external auditor about financial reporting To recommend to the Board a policy designating services that the external auditor may perform for the School Board and, if the Board adopts the policy, to oversee its implementation
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties related to compliance matters [ON Regulation 361/10 9(5)] To review the effectiveness of the School Board’s system for monitoring compliance with legislative requirements and with the School Board’s policies and procedures and follow up on any non-compliance To review any significant findings of regulatory entities, and any observations of the internal or external auditor related to those findings To review the School Board’s processes for communicating any applicable codes of conduct and for administering those codes of conduct To obtain regular updates from management and legal counsel regarding compliance matters To obtain confirmation from the Director of Education and supervisory officers that all statutory requirements have been met
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Duties related to risk management [ON Regulation 361/10 9(6)] To inquire about significant risks To review the School Board’s policies for risk assessment and risk management and to assess the steps taken to manage such risks (i.e. internal controls, the adequacy of insurance) To perform other activities related to the oversight of the School Board’s risk management issues or financial matters, as requested by the Board To initiate and oversee investigations, as appropriate
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Other Duties [ON Regulation 361/10 9(7) and 9 (8)]To report to the Board of Trustees annually, and at any other time the Board of Trustees may require, on the committee’s performance of its duties To make a reasonable effort to post ON Regulation 361/10 on the Board’s website
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Doing the right things right: Key componentsClear Expectations Clear Expectations (Charter and Work Plan) Feedback (Role of Chair) What Information (Priorities and Level of Detail) High Quality Accurate, Complete Reporting Timely • Minutes • Council/Board Information • External Preparation • Who (management, Auditors) • When (advance of Action Meeting; at meeting) • Decisions Meetings • Follow - up • Agenda • Time • Presentations • In - camera (Source: Integrity in the Spotlight – Opportunities for Audit Committees)
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee The role of the Audit Committee ChairReporting to the Board. This is chairperson’s key responsibility Manage meetings Setting meeting agendas and prioritize the issues contained under each topic Forging and enhancing relationship with management Enhancing the relationship with internal and external auditors Enhancing the relationship with Board of Trustees Provide feedback to management and external and internal auditors Creating an appropriate Audit Committee charter and work plan Ensuring the continuing education of the members of the Audit Committee Dealing with the tough issues Awareness of developments in internal and external environment Consider special topics ( e.g. new developments in accounting standards) (Source: Integrity in the Spotlight – Opportunities for Audit Committees)
Engaged and CollaborativeRole and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Attributes of an effective Audit Committee Chair Informed Decisive Effective Chair Financially Literate Engaged and Collaborative 20
Role and Accountabilities of the Audit Committee Audit Committee Member RequirementsAudit Committee member is a volunteer position, no remuneration to be received Conflicts of interest must be declared to the Chair of the Audit Committee Audit Committee members are required to complete periodic self assessment of performance Confidentiality agreement must be signed at the beginning of the appointment A minimum of two months notice should be given before resignation Source:
Audit Committee Meeting SchedulingAn Audit Committee of a Board shall meet at least three times in each fiscal year at the call of the chair of the committee, and at such other times as the chair considers advisable but only twice during fiscal year Refer to toolkit for proposed Audit Committee meeting schedule and agenda topics Source: ON regulation and Ministry of Education website
Audit Committee Meeting Management Fundamentals of a good meetingStrong agenda – focus, achievable, results oriented Attendance Logistics Facilitation Source: Deloitte
Audit Committee Meeting Management Setting the agendaMeeting Agenda Challenges Date and time Inadequate preparation of agenda by the Committee Chair Level of agenda detail Comprehensiveness of agenda Timing of distribution of agenda items Relation of agenda items to information packet Degree of flexibility or rigidness in adherence during the meeting Preparing presenters for the appropriate tone and timing Having all presentation aids pre-tested Each meeting agenda should tie back to the Committee’s work plan and terms of reference (Regulation 361/10) Agendas should be set by the Committee Chair with input from management and Committee members Source: Deloitte
Audit Committee Meeting Management Managing Participants attendance and attentionPart 1: Welcome (quorum, approval of agenda, declaration of conflicts) Part 2: Minutes (approval of minutes of previous meeting) Part 3: Announcements (non-controversial, short) Part 4: Information Items (non-controversial, not requiring decisions) Part 5: Decision Items (potentially controversial, requiring decision or action) Part 6: Discussion Items (often presented for vote/decision during Part 5 of subsequent meeting) Part 7: Information Items (non-controversial, positive, often the starting place of next meeting) Source: Deloitte
Audit Committee Meeting Management LogisticsIssues Location neutrality Seating arrangement Climate control Time of day Format (in-person, video conference, teleconference) Frequency Duration Special guests Several key principles for meeting logistics are constant: Members should be able to easily see one another Room should be at comfortable temperature Adequate space for planners, notebooks or laptops is essential People should be able to easily hear the discussion Source: Deloitte
Audit Committee Meeting Management FacilitationAsk Questions Monitor Dynamics Manage Time Encourage Participation Assign Accountability  A focus on the process of arriving at conclusions must be balanced with discussing the conclusions themselves Ask questions that draw out process-based explanation Diversity brings new ways of thinking about the issue but may introduce dissent, conflict or reduced morale Focus conflict on innovative solutions Ensure all views are tabled in the meeting, not after Manage discussion to follow the flow and timing set by the agenda Monitor the need for increased rigidness or flexibility depending on the criticality of the discussion Different alternatives ensure that full information is shared and increases the likelihood of discovering a superior solution Ensure airtime is shared equally Encourage debate and expression of views Discussion without follow-up or action results in generally ineffective implementation of Committee recommendations Assign accountability for implementation during meetings Source: Deloitte
Conflict Resolution What lies behind most conflicts?Lack of communication Lack of information or interpretations of available information Different needs or interests Struggle over power or authority Different ways of understanding the world Source: 2006 Non-Profit Sector leadership program, Dalhousie University
Conflict Resolution A strategy for confronting conflictConfronting a conflict situation almost always can benefit from face-to-face communication amongst the parties involved, either a series of meetings with individuals and/or a group meeting involving all of the parties Rely on the involvement of an individual who has the respect of everyone to facilitate the process Arrange a special meeting or a series of private meetings, not a Board meeting. Avoid secret meetings; the process needs to be transparent. Ensure that everyone understands that the process is not one that will result in organizational decisions or commitments although recommendations, if an agreement is reached, may be made by the parties to the Board. No formal minutes or notes of conflict resolution .The outcome, if the parties agree, can be reported Source: 2006 Non-Profit Sector leadership program, Dalhousie University
Reporting to the Board of TrusteesRegulation requires that the Audit Committee report to the Board of Trustees Where the Audit Committee is bringing forward a recommendation for the Board to adopt, the recommendation should be in writing. Every year, no later than November 30, the Audit Committee will present an annual report The Toolkit for this training and the Ministry of Education website has samples for required reporting. Source: Ministry of Education website – Guideline on Audit Committee reporting
Reporting to the Board of TrusteesThe annual report is to include: summary of work performed by the committee attendance record internal audit results assessment of Board’s progress in addressing findings recommendations made by internal and external auditor other relevant matters Source: Ministry of Education website – Guideline on Audit Committee reporting
Due diligence considerationsDuties and Obligations of Individual Members Standard of Care Fiduciary Care Business Judgment Board Code of Conduct Conflict of Interest Confidentiality
Governance vs. Management Where is the right side of the line?Board (through its various committees) Governs the activities of the school board Sets strategic direction for the school board Monitors management and organizational performance Reports to various stakeholders Selects, supervises, assesses performance of Director of Education Management Manages day to day operations of the school board Charged with implementing the strategic plan Responsible for internal and external relationships Identifies and manages enterprise-wide risks Source: Deloitte
Governance vs. Management Discussion QuestionBased on your experience what are the greatest challenges in maintaining the line between the role of an audit committee member and the role of management?
Powers of the Committee [ON Regulation 361/10 ]In carrying out its functions and duties, an Audit Committee of the Board has the power to: With Board’s approval, retain counsel, accountants or other professionals to advise or assist the committee Meet with or require the attendance of Board members, school board staff, internal or external auditor or legal counsel or other representatives, and require such persons or entities to provide any information and explanation that may be requested Meet with the Board’s external or internal auditor or any staff of the School Board, without the presence of other School Board staff or Board members, other than Board members who are members of the committee Require the internal or external auditor to provide reports to the committee Have access to all records that were examined by the internal or external auditor
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