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From competence to confidence
Being invited into the boardroom for the first time as a company director or to deliver a presentation is a significant step in your career, but it can be challenging for even the most experienced professional.
That’s because the boardroom requires a distinct shift in mindset: from thinking like a manager or executive to thinking like a director. Foundations of Directorship™ is the learning program that provides the fundamental knowledge you need to make that shift smoothly and confidently.
In three one-day courses, you’ll build a solid understanding of governance, finance, risk and strategy—giving you the specialised knowledge to work more purposefully with boards, influence decisions and contribute meaningfully to your organisation’s success.
Is this course right for you?
The best thing about the Foundations of Directorship™ program is that you don’t need any prior board experience and you can choose the course combination that best suits your needs.
Designed to be both foundational and flexible, this program is one of the easiest pathways to understanding the role of boards, how board meetings are run, and the skills needed for good governance and effective directorship.
Suitable for professionals from organisations of all sizes and across different sectors, you’ll find Foundations of Directorship™ particularly valuable if you’re a:
- company director of a small business or not-for-profit organisation
- ambitious professional preparing for a future board career
- manager or senior executive who reports to, advises, or works closely with a board
- professional considering the Company Directors Course™ and first wishing to lay a solid foundation of governance.
If your organisation is seeking to upskill teams or develop internal governance capabilities, please enquire about our In-House delivery option.
Three foundational courses, one flexible program
The Foundations of Directorship™ program gives you the option to gain your formative boardroom knowledge in either an online or
in-person format.
Both formats are facilitated by directors with real-world experience and cover the same industry-leading curriculum.
The program is divided into three one-day courses, one for each key area:
- Governance
- Risk and Strategy
- Finance
Completing all three courses in the program rounds out your boardroom knowledge and allows you to qualify for the Foundations of Directorship™ certificate.
You’ll discover how boards function, the responsibilities of a director, how to assess risk and formulate strategy, and how to interpret financial statements and analyse your organisation’s performance.
Each course is standalone, so you can also choose to take any number of courses individually if you wish. (This option is available in person only).
Directors, senior executives and managers play a critical role in the governance of an organisation.
The Governance for Directors course gives you an understanding and appreciation of:
- the importance of good governance
- a director’s responsibility to monitor the organisation’s performance and drive goals, and their duty to meet compliance obligations
- the key functions of a board and how board meetings are run
- the difference between management and director mindsets.
The course is split into two working sessions (which include case studies):
- The role of the director and the board
- Introduction to board meetings and governance
Course duration: One day
Pre-reading requirement: 10 hours
CPD points: 10
The performance of your organisation is largely driven by effective risk and strategy management.
In the Risk and Strategy for Directors course, you’ll explore the director’s role in identifying, formulating and monitoring an organisation’s risk and strategy appetite, and be able to recognise the link between corporate strategy and financial performance.
The course is split into two working sessions (which include case studies):
- Risk: Issues for directors
- Introduction to the strategic role of the director
Course duration: One day
Pre-reading requirement: 10 hours
CPD points: 10
The board’s role is crucial to the financial health of an organisation.
The Finance for Directors course, builds or strengthens your ability to interpret and assess the three main types of financial statements—balance sheet, income (profit and loss) and cash flow—to identify the information needed to drive board decisions.
The course is split into two working sessions (which include case studies):
- Introduction to financial statements for directors
- Assessing financial performance for directors
Course duration: One day
Pre-reading requirement: 10 hours
CPD points: 10
After completing the complete Foundations of Directorship™ program, you will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and essential features of corporate governance
- Identify the role and key functions of the board and its directors, directors’ rights, and their associated liabilities and protections
- Explain how to make an informed decision when considering joining a board
- Outline the duties of directors with regards to financial statements and systems
- Interpret the key financial statements of an organisation
- Discuss a director’s role in formulating, implementing and monitoring strategy and how to establish and manage key strategic planning frameworks
- Illustrate a director’s role in identifying, assessing and managing risk and discuss risk avoidance, risk culture and risk appetite
To be awarded the Foundations of Directorship™ Certificate and a total of 35 CPD points, you must successfully complete all three courses (in person or online) plus the optional assessment.
The assessment is an opportunity for you to consolidate your learning and benchmark your understanding against the standard set by the AICD.
If you’re taking the courses individually, they’re each worth 10 CPD points.
There is also an optional assessment at the end of each module worth 5 CPD points.
You can find more information on the assessment in the Participant Assessment Guide that applies to your course date.
- In person
- Online
Learn in person
Completing the Foundations of Directorship™ program in person gives you more opportunities to get to know your peers while learning in a way that suits your schedule and learning style.
Choose your in-person learning pace
- Fast tracked
Complete all three courses over three consecutive days (one course per day), with all your pre-reading done upfront. - Steady
Courses are held multiple times a year across many locations. You can take up to a year to complete the program and still be eligible for the Foundations of Directorship™ Certificate. - One-off
Each course can be taken standalone if you don’t wish to complete the full program.
You’ll save when you purchase all three courses in one transaction, with AICD members saving even more. Not yet a member? Discover the benefits of membership.
Learn online
Completing the Foundations of Directorship™ program online gives you the flexibility to learn from experienced governance experts no matter where you are in the world.
- The fundamentals delivered conveniently
The three-course program runs over three consecutive weeks (one course per week), with corresponding pre-reading completed ahead of each session. - Guidance from start to finish
A dedicated Learning Support executive plays a key role in your online learning experience, facilitating an introduction session, offering guidance throughout, and supporting you as you prepare for the optional assessment task. - Connection with a consistent cohort
You’ll remain with the same group of peers throughout the program, getting to know each other, learning from each other and building a lasting network.
The online program is affordably priced, with additional savings for AICD members. Not yet a member? Discover the benefits of membership.
Boost your confidence with the right support
At the AICD, every member receives personalised guidance from a Member Relationship Partner, helping you focus on your governance capability with confidence.
Want to find out more about membership or explore our Foundations of Directorship™ program further? Please send us an enquiry and we’ll get in touch.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which we are located and pay our respects to Elders, past and present. We recognise First Nations peoples' cultural and spiritual relationships to the Skies, Land, Waters, and Seas, and their rich contribution to society.
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