Board members have an essential role in steering an organisation towards a sustainable and prosperous future. Whether you work in corporate governance or for a non-profit organisation, this course will provide the essential skills you need to be a responsible and effective board member.
Essential Business Skills for Board Members is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to undertake the diverse roles and responsibilities of the executive committee and board members.
In this board of directors’ course, you will learn how to work within an organisation’s structure to implement board member responsibilities. You’ll also discover important conflict management strategies to prevent escalation, understand how to interpret financial information, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
On completion of this course, you will have acquired the skills and competencies required to operate effectively as a board member.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Implement Board member responsibilities
- Organisational history and function
- Duties of board directors
- Organisational objectives and goals
- Roles and responsibilities with in an organisation
- Legal responsibilities and obligations
- Statutes, legislation and regulations
- Relationships and communication processes
- Codes of practice
- Code of conduct for board members
- Ethical behaviour
- Building relationships with Indigenous communities
- Policies and procedures
- Operational outcomes (financial reports)
- Reviewing and making changes to operations
- Quality improvements
- A review of board
- Public company requirements
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
- Health and safety legislation
- Corporations law
- Corporate governance
- Corporation (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) legislation (CATSI)
- The constitution of an organisation
- Components of a constitution
- Terms and conditions of funding agreements
- Speaking on behalf of a board
- STEEP analysis
- Political and social trends
- Economic trends
- Community and stakeholder needs
- Community needs and policies (diversity and cultural competence)
- Receive and document feedback
- Qualitative analysis
- Designing a survey
- Evaluating feedback
- Document and support decisions made by board
Unit 2 - Work within organisational structure
- Document governance and management issues
- The role of a board and its members
- The CEO’s role and tasks
- The boards role in providing governance
- The relationship between governance and management issues
- Issues the board might address
- An organisation’s governance policy guidelines
- Document roles of board members
- Role of the chair
- Code of conduct for board members
- Calendar of board meetings
- Process of discussing an issue and reaching a decision
- Board reviews
- Performance outcomes – KPI’s
- Management duties
- CEO’s role in an organisation
- Diary reminders
- Areas of responsibility and documenting guidelines
- Receiving and applying advice from management
- Instructing management to implement policy decisions
- Minutes of Meeting template
- Features of an implementation plan
- Reviewing management performance
Unit 3 - Manage conflict
- Identify conflict and prevent escalation
- Levels of conflict
- Progress from one stage to another
- Behaviours that indicate conflict is escalating
- Preventing escalation
- Role of managers and supervisors
- Critical actions to take when responding to conflict situations
- Aggressive and abusive behaviour
- Asking for assistance
- Physical interventions
- Evacuation plans
- Mediation and arbitration
- Conflict Resolution Network (CRN)
- Employee Assistant Programs (EAPs)
- Agree on nature and details
- Effective and ineffective management
- Nature of conflict (agreement of details)
- Assess the impact
- Managing conflict within the scope of your role
- Impact of conflict on business reputation and
- Legal liability and impacts
- Constructive attitudes and positive impacts
- Dispute resolution processes and options
- Implementing solutions
- Complaints register
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution
- Improve work and minimise negative conflict
- Workplace conflict causes
Unit 4 - Interpret financial information
- Accurate financial records
- Monitor performance
- Financial information
- Recording transactions
- Budgets and forecasting
- Cash flow reports
- Profit and loss statements and reports
- Journals and ledgers
- Financial statements and reports
- GST calculations
- Interpreting financial information
- How cash flow works
- Projections
- Financial cost analysis
- Resolving discrepancies
- Business activity statements (BAS)
- Calculating depreciation
- Ratio analysis
- Sales analysis reports and budgets
- Break even analysis
Unit 5 - Research and comply with regulatory requirements
- Compliance
- Relevance and currency of information
- Legislation requirements
- Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
- Compliance requirements
- Licensing legislation
- Food safety legislation
- Accessing regulatory information
- Non-compliance
- Disciplinary action
- Specialist legal advice
- Regulatory authorities
- Components of an effective compliance program
- Nominating roles and responsibilities
- Senior management compliance accountabilities
- Continuous improvement processes
- Handling compliance complaints and procedures
- Recordkeeping systems
- Compliance management system
- Policy development
- Consulting with stakeholders
- Drafting and writing techniques
- Developing a compliance policy
- Distribution of information
- Communication with regulatory authorities
- Submitting required documentation
- Business an occupational licence
- Checking contractor compliance
- Evaluating business operations
- Consumer legislation
- Business name registration
- Employment laws
- Taxation and insurance requirements
- Allocation of responsibilities for meeting compliance regulations
- Processes of evaluating business compliance
- Identifying a compliance breech
- Escalation process for breach of compliance
- Reporting breaches and management action
- Penalties for compliance breaches
- Communication methods
- Action plans and review processes
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 75 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
Yes! The cost for printed materials for this course is $50 per unit. Total cost for optional printed materials is: $250.00. Printed materials are optional and not required to complete the course. Everything you need to complete the course is provided online via our e-learning system.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Board of Director
- Board Member
- Corporate Governance
- Committee member
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