Overview

Session 1: Workshop #1
Time: 1.15pm - 3.00pm
Audit Committee Effectiveness – What works best by PricewaterhouseCoopers

Synopsis:

The recent economic crisis has again increased the focus on the role of the audit committee and the information disclosed by companies. The audit committee’s role in ensuring accurate and transparent disclosure is more difficult and challenging than ever given the increased expectation by the shareholders, regulators and other key stakeholders; heightened scrutiny when things go wrong; enhanced responsibility for risk management and greater focus on fraud prevention.

The presentation, which is based on the recently launched publication by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP jointly with the Institute of Internal Auditors, aims to provide best practices on topics that are most relevant to assist the audit committees enhance their performance and effectiveness.  We will share

• Insights and points of view from the audit committee chairpersons, financial experts, governance specialists and heads of internal audit functions
• Survey trends allowing you to understand how audit committees are responding to the various challenges faced by them
• With you a self assessment guide that captures the leading practices and aid the audit committees in assessing their performances and identify changes to consider.

The audit committees are expected to do much more today and we wish to offer leading practices that can assist audit committee members meet the expectations.

[Top]

Session 1: Workshop #2
Time: 1.15pm - 3.00pm
Board Matters (I) by KPMG

Synopsis:
The presentation by KPMG will focus on the key proposed changes in the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance in relation to the Board Matters Pillar. This includes a discussion of the requirements in the existing Code and proposed new Code. Mostly importantly, the presentation will also include a comparative analysis of the proposed changes in the Singapore Code against the similar corporate governance practices in the Asia Pacific region, as well as other international practices in Australia, South Africa, the UK and the United States. 

The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Irving Low. Distinguished panelists are invited to give their views and insights into some of the proposed guidelines from a legal perspective as well as an international perspective.  Our distinguished panelists include a leading corporate lawyer in corporate governance, Kala Anandarajah who will offer insights from a legal perspective, an independent director, former Country Head and Managing Partner of one of the Big 4 accounting firms and current President and Chairman of the Board of CPA Australia, Low Weng Keong. Our third panelist, Professor Mak Yuen Teen is the founding director of the Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting Centre (CGFRC) in Singapore and was instrumental in the development of the Governance and Transparency Index (GTI) covering all listed companies in Singapore, which is published by the Business Times.

[Top]

Session 2: Workshop #3
Time: 3.00pm - 4.30pm
The Area Of Enterprise Risk Management by Ernst & Young
   
Synopsis:

• The top 10 risks for business - The Ernst & Young Global Business Risk Report 2011
• ERM in Risk Management - Maximising Strategic and Operational Value for businesses
• Ernst & Young’s ERM Point of View
• Implementing ERM
• Challenges in implementation of ERM for organizations

[Top]

Session 2: Workshop #4
Time: 3.00pm - 4.30pm
Board Matters (II): Indicators of Board Performance, Changes in Companies Act/Code of Corporate Governance and Key Priorities for 2011 by Deloitte
   
Synopsis:

• Key priorities for the Board for 2011.
• Key Indicators of Board Performance - How does one measure the effectiveness of the conduct of board meetings and directives of the board in general?
• Impact of the impending changes to the Companies Act and Code of Corporate Governance - what are the areas which the Board should take note of in face of the impending waves of reforms?
• Balancing between risk management and assessment of risks to take in any board decision on major corporate moves. 

[Top]