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Treasury: The Importance of Governance, Ethics, Compliance, and Audit

Gain an introduction to the types of controls treasury professionals typically encounter as you delve into the treasury world.

341 enrolled on this course

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Treasury: The Importance of Governance, Ethics, Compliance, and Audit

341 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Develop an understanding of unethical behaviour within treasury

Financial institutions and corporate businesses highly value treasury professionals with up-to-date knowledge. This is because these professionals can help a business with their critical decision-making and overall success.

On this four-week course, you’ll consider the importance of governance, ethics, compliance, and other forms of controls that treasury professionals encounter.

You’ll also unpack the role of unethical behaviour and The Association of Corporate Treasurers’ (ACT) own ethical code, as this sets a minimum standard expected from all ACT members.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to deal with the challenges and opportunities that come from working in treasury.

Unpack treasury control mechanisms

To help minimise the risks associated with treasury, you’ll explore the control measures that can help save both money and reputation.

You’ll delve into the internal control mechanisms to gain essential knowledge of how to handle the dealing limits and validations you may find in your work.

Explore the treasury management system

You’ll unpack the treasury management system and how you can use this software to automate tasks, save time, and become more organised.

Next, you’ll explore conflicts of interest and develop the skills to deal with these issues when they arise.

Understand the principles of corporate governance

Finally, you’ll discover the principles of corporate governance to understand what makes good governance within treasury.

Guided by experienced treasury experts, who work for the Association of Corporate Treasurers, you’ll finish the course with a solid understanding of governance, ethics, compliance, and audit for treasury professionals.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Treasury, ethics and the ACT’s Ethical Code

    • Introduction on computer screen.

      Introduction

      In this activity, we will introduce you to the course, the ACT and the learning you will undertake in Week one. You will also share where your current understanding of unethical behaviour is.

    • A highlighter underlines the word 'ethics' heavily in a business document or textbook. Morality IS important.

      Understanding ethics for corporate treasurers

      In this activity we will look at ethics for corporate treasurers. You will understand why ethics and best practice is important, how to identify unethical behaviour and then conclude by looking at market efficiency.

    • Business Presentation, Blurred Background. Businessman Giving Speech During meeting With Coworkers In Office, Diverse People Sitting At Table And Listening To Speaker.

      The ACT's ethical code, unethical behaviour and reputational hazard!

      In this activity, we introduce you to the ACT's Ethical Code, we continue to explore unethical behaviour and we look at how not managing this risk can be damaging to the reputation of the organisation.

    • Vibrant vector illustration showing the process of communicating or facilitating learning. Above people there are speech bubbles filled with different elements/icons. Those elements are: light bulb for new knowledge and ideas; gears and wheels for thinkin

      Review of Week one and looking forward to Week two

      We conclude this week with you sharing where your knowledge of unethical behaviour is now. We then hear from a practicing treasurer on their career and end with a summary of Week one and what to look forward to in Week two.

  • Week 2

    Treasury controls - the essentials

    • Introduction on a piece of paper, with pen and mobile phone on the right.  Sticky note and pad to the left, with a cup of coffee and laptop keyboard behind and a small pot to the left of the keyboard.

      Introduction to Week 2

      In this activity, you will find out what topics you will cover in Week 2. You will take a poll on your current level of knowlegde of treasury controls and finally discuss with other learners your experience so far.

    • A magnifying glass looking at a chart.

      Internal control mechanisms

      In this activity you will explore internal control mechanisms and dealing limits and validations.

    • Business people shaking hands in the office, possibly after a job interview. Business meeting of two in modern office.

      Control systems

      In this activity we look at the treasury management system and how it can implement controls; we review other management controls, such as staff training and recruitment and conclude with a discussion on business continuity.

    • Close-up of a businessman pointing on the data presented in the chart with pen while working in office.

      End of week review and looking ahead to Week 3

      We end this week by reviewing where your knowledge of control mechanisms is now. We then hear from a practicing treasurer, and finally look back at what has been covered while looking forward to Week 3.

  • Week 3

    Dealing with conflicts of interest

    • Introduction on notepad on desk.

      Introduction to Week 3

      In this activity, we will introduce you to the topics you will cover in Week 3 and check your current level of understanding of conflicts of interest.

    • Selective focus of magnifying glass, glasses and Insurance Policy letter on a white wooden background.

      The agency problem

      In this activity you will be introduced to ownership and management and 'the agency problem'.

    • Accounting isometric composition with charts documentation and human characters during audit on blue background vector illustration.

      A treasurer's responsibility

      You will now have an in-depth review of audit, treasurers' responsibilities and finally be introduced to Sarbanes-Oxley and the implications of this Act.

    • Conflict of interest representation.

      End of week review and looking ahead to Week 4

      We conclude this week by explaining conflict of interest, reviewing what you have learnt so far and looking forward to Week 4.

  • Week 4

    Principles of corporate governance

    • Introduction on notepad on desk.  Pencil, pen and glasses to the right, with a small plant above to the right.

      Introduction to the final week of the course

      In this activity, we introduce you to what you will cover in Week 4. You will also share your current understanding of corporate governance, and hear from a corporate treasurer on their role within treasury.

    • 3D Isometric Flat Vector Concept of Governance, Regulatory Compliance, Business People Are Discussing Steps to Comply With Relevant Laws, Policies, and Regulations.

      Corporate governance

      In this activity we will introduce you to the important area of governance and also the structure of the board.

    • Isometric three businessmen standing on a magnifying glass to discuss and analyse data.

      Executive renumeration, board diversity and the principles of corporate governance

      We will now explore various areas related to the board and governance. This includes looking at the renumeration package and board diversity, concluding with a discussion around the principles of corporate governance.

    • Check list and stopwatch.

      Final review of the week and the course, looking ahead to your next steps

      We conclude the course with your reflections, and level of understanding, of corporate governance . We then look back at Week 4, encourage you take your final assessment and to consider your next steps in treasury.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain the importance of governance and compliance to the treasury function
  • Explain the importance of ethics to the treasury function
  • Explain the importance of audit to the treasury function
  • Describe how a treasury function is structured
  • Describe the processes and controls needed to enable an effective treasury function

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in governance, ethics, compliance, and other forms of controls that are typically encountered by treasury and finance professionals.

No previous financial training or knowledge is necessary.

If you are considering a career either with a corporate organisation, or within the financial organisations that they partner with such as banks and other financial institutions, this is a great way to kickstart your future development.

What software or tools do you need?

N/A

Who will you learn with?

Janet Legge

Director of Awarding Body at the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).

Responsible for developing treasury and cash management qualifications and our FutureLearn courses.

Who developed the course?

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The Association of Corporate Treasurers

The Association of Corporate Treasurers, the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter, sets the global benchmark for treasury excellence through internationally recognised qualifications.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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