CPA Australia Ethics & Governance Module 3 Part I
Exam Preparation Course for Governance Concepts
What you'll learn
- Define corporate governance and its importance in modern business
- Explain the legal nature and structural features of corporations
- Analyze the separation of ownership and control using agency theory
- Compare regulatory obligations for proprietary versus public companies
- Describe the key legal and ethical duties imposed on company directors
- Evaluate the impact of governance on decision-making and accountability
- Discuss international variations in corporate governance practices
About this course
This course provides a foundational examination of corporate governance systems, essential for professionals operating within the Hong Kong financial services sector. For SFC-licensed individuals, understanding the mechanisms of accountability, director responsibilities, and organizational control is critical to navigating the increasingly complex regulatory landscape. By reviewing the core concepts of governance, participants will better understand the expectations set by local and international standards, ensuring that management practices remain aligned with the fiduciary duties expected of those in positions of influence.
The curriculum explores the theoretical underpinnings of agency relationships and the practical application of governance within various corporate structures. It focuses on the division of powers between shareholders and the board, while analyzing the legal duties imposed on directors, including continuous disclosure requirements and the management of insolvency risks. These topics are highly relevant for professionals involved in corporate advisory, fund management, and family office services, as they underscore the importance of transparency and objective judgment in preventing professional liability.
Structured to provide a balanced view of both principles-based and rules-based regulatory approaches, the module examines how governance frameworks adapt to different organizational sizes and ownership types. Participants will explore the role of board committees, audit functions, and stakeholder management, moving beyond simple compliance to address the broader objectives of organizational sustainability. By examining international governance models and historical reform patterns, this course equips professionals with the analytical tools to address modern corporate challenges and maintain high standards of ethical professional conduct.
Who should attend
- SFC-licensed representatives and responsible officers
- Compliance and internal audit professionals
- Family office executives and investment managers
- Corporate secretarial and governance advisors
- Company directors and board members
- Financial analysts and risk management officers
Key topics covered
Foundations of Corporate Governance
- Corporate structures and the separation of ownership and control
- Defining governance, conformance, and performance
- Agency theory and monitoring mechanisms
- Stakeholder theory and managing organizational interests
- The impact of governance on organizational performance
Legal Responsibilities and Director Duties
- Director eligibility, legal duties, and conflicts of interest
- Director independence and objective judgment
- Continuous disclosure and market transparency obligations
- Insolvent trading duties and personal liability risks
- Lessons from major corporate governance failures
Governance Frameworks and Oversight
- Division of powers between shareholders, boards, and management
- Functions of board committees and audit oversight
- Regulatory approaches: principles-based vs. rules-based systems
- Comparing market-based and relationship-based governance models
- Adapting governance principles to SMEs and non-profits
How this course satisfies CPT
This course covers CPA Australia topics recognised by the SFC as eligible for CPT. Upon completion, you'll earn approximately 1 CPT hours and receive a certificate of completion for your training records. The course includes quizzes to verify your understanding, satisfying the SFC's requirement that online learning includes an independent assessment and maintains a reliable audit trail.
Learn more about CPT requirementsCurriculum · 33 lessons
- 1.
Introduction to Corporate Governance Systems and Accountability
FREE2:01.2 - 2.
Learning Objectives and Corporate Governance Frameworks
FREE1:58.1 - 3.
Corporate Structures and the Separation of Ownership
FREE1:56.5 - 4.
Key Features of Corporations and Limited Liability
1:54.8 - 5.
Company Types Ownership Rights and Regulatory Obligations
1:50.4 - 6.
Regulation Levels for Proprietary and Public Companies
1:56.2 - 7.
Quiz: Introduction to Corporate Governance Systems and Accountability – Regulation Levels for Proprietary and Public Companies
QUIZ5 questions · requires lessons - 8.
Director Duties Legal Responsibilities and Conflicts of Interest
1:53.7 - 9.
Continuous Disclosure Requirements and Market Transparency
1:57.6 - 10.
Insolvent Trading Duties and Director Legal Responsibilities
1:45.0 - 11.
Director Liability Lessons From Centro and James Hardy
1:57.0 - 12.
Director Independence Principles and Objective Judgment
1:52.3 - 13.
Division of Corporate Powers and Agency Relationships
2:00.3 - 14.
Quiz: Director Duties Legal Responsibilities and Conflicts of Interest – Division of Corporate Powers and Agency Relationships
QUIZ5 questions · requires lessons - 15.
Corporate Governance Theories and Stakeholder Perspectives
2:02.7 - 16.
Agency Issues Costs and Monitoring Mechanisms
2:02.3 - 17.
Defining Corporate Governance Conformance and Performance
2:04.3 - 18.
The Importance of Governance for Organizational Performance
2:07.7 - 19.
The Corporate Governance Framework and Accountability
1:59.5 - 20.
Shareholder Influence and Mitigating Information Asymmetry
2:07.9 - 21.
Quiz: Corporate Governance Theories and Stakeholder Perspectives – Shareholder Influence and Mitigating Information Asymmetry
QUIZ5 questions · requires lessons - 22.
Board Functions and Strategic Oversight Frameworks
2:04.7 - 23.
Role of Board Committees in Governance Oversight
1:58.6 - 24.
Audit Committees Strengthening Financial Reporting and Accountability
2:01.5 - 25.
Regulatory Approaches Principles Based vs Rules Based Systems
2:01.9 - 26.
Stakeholder Theory and Managing Organizational Interests
1:46.1 - 27.
Drivers of Global Corporate Governance Reforms
2:11.6 - 28.
Quiz: Board Functions and Strategic Oversight Frameworks – Drivers of Global Corporate Governance Reforms
QUIZ5 questions · requires lessons - 29.
Evolution of Governance Reforms Following Corporate Failures
2:26.7 - 30.
History of Australian Governance Reform and Sustainability
2:02.1 - 31.
Comparing Market Based and Relationship Based Governance Models
2:09.8 - 32.
Ownership Structures and Market Discipline in Governance
2:12.3 - 33.
International Governance Models Across Germany France Japan and India
2:07.8 - 34.
Corporate Governance Codes Principles and Global Frameworks
2:04.5 - 35.
Quiz: Evolution of Governance Reforms Following Corporate Failures – Corporate Governance Codes Principles and Global Frameworks
QUIZ5 questions · requires lessons - 36.
Applying Governance Principles to SMEs and Not for Profits
2:09.4 - 37.
Foundations of Corporations Governance and Agency Theory
2:11.9 - 38.
Synthesis of Corporate Governance Conformance and Performance
2:16.0 - 39.
Quiz: Applying Governance Principles to SMEs and Not for Profits – Synthesis of Corporate Governance Conformance and Performance
QUIZ5 questions · requires lessons
Requirements
- Basic understanding of fundamental business principles
- Interest in corporate law and organisational management
- Familiarity with the general role of shareholders and boards
- Professional background in accounting, finance, or business administration recommended
Certificate of Completion
Complete this course to earn a verifiable Certificate of Completion for your CPT training record. Here's how:
- 1Watch all the lessons — work through every lesson in the curriculum. Each completed lesson brings your progress closer to 100%.
- 2Pass all the quizzes — score 70% or higher in each quiz within the course. Quizzes are part of the curriculum and must be passed to finish.
- 3Download your certificate — once you reach 100% progress, download a personalised Certificate of Completion showing your name, the CPT hours earned, and your quiz score.
Sample certificate:
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