LEADERSHIP m the power of financial management in business IoD/CIMA DIPLOMA IN COMPANY DIRECTION 2005 SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR CIMA MEMBERS AT BOARD LEVEL AND IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS YOUR ROUTE TO CHARTERED DIRECTOR THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR DIRECTORS
Background CIMA (the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) supports over 136,000 members and students in 155 countries. CIMA s overriding objective is the ever greater employability of its students, passed finalists and members. Recognised as one of the two foremost management accounting bodies in the world, its focus on management functions make it unique. CIMA prides itself on the commercial relevance of its syllabus and programme of life long learning, which are continually enhanced to reflect the latest developments in business. CIMA is internationally recognised as offering the financial qualification for business. Over 3,000 business leaders have followed the IoD s premier in-depth programmes, which provide the all round skills, knowledge and understanding essential for successfully directing a modern company from a strategic perspective. Both organisations provide extensive support to their members to help set the standard by which all directors should be measured. The Institute of Directors (IoD) currently has around 55,000 members. The IoD champions the need for greater professionalism in UK boardrooms. Directors realise that high standards of excellence and professionalism in the boardroom are essential for business success and the IoD has been supporting directors, from various sectors, in their professional development for many years. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT AND UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE IOD AND CIMA TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF APPLIED TRAINING FOR PROFESSOR G ROLAND KAYE, CIMA PRESIDENT EXISTING AND ASPIRANT DIRECTORS.
Introduction The debate about corporate governance has meant that companies need to ensure directors both executive and non-executive understand and comply with the law. It is vital they are up-to-date with best practice and current business thinking. CIMA s CPD Policy and Product Framework have two over-riding aims to enhance the employability of CIMA members throughout their working lives, and to place CIMA at the heart of the professional development of all Accountants in Business. Those who are, or aspire to become directors of organisations, are increasingly required to demonstrate that they have benchmarked their knowledge, understanding and expertise against leading edge practice. responsibilities, and strategy on how to improve business performance. It also provides delegates with an excellent opportunity to meet, network with, and learn from their peers in other organisations. Successful completion of the Diploma can lead to the IoD s professional qualification, Chartered Director, which demonstrates the ultimate in director professionalism. Against this background, the IoD and CIMA have joined forces and created the IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction. The programme reflects the issues and concerns facing CIMA members today. It covers aspects of corporate governance, directors ISS HAVE REVIEWED THE PROGRAMME AND UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT IT MET WITH OUR STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION. AS A RESULT, THE COMPANIES WITH DIRECTORS WHO ATTEND THIS PROGRAMME WILL GET AN UPWARD ADJUSTMENT TO THEIR GOVERNANCE RATING. INSTITUTIONAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Diploma in Company Direction Benefiting from the experience the IoD has amassed from delivering successful programmes for over 20 years, the Diploma is designed to cover the key areas in which directors and leaders must be competent. It explores the fundamental differences between management and direction. On successful completion of the exam, participants will be awarded the IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction. Once achieved, candidates can then pursue Chartered Director status via the IoD. Further details about becoming a Chartered Director can be found later in the brochure. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 26 Chapter Street London SW1P 4NP United Kingdom T. +44 (0)20 8849 2251 F. +44 (0)20 8849 2450 E. cima.contact@cimaglobal.com www.cimaglobal.com/professionalqualifications The Diploma in Company Direction is aimed at all those responsible for providing strategic leadership and is designed to enhance participants ability to: Fulfil their roles effectively, efficiently and confidently. Apply skills and knowledge to improve business performance. Create a wider understanding of the corporate purpose. Gain a common set of business principles and vocabulary. Create a network of peer level delegates. Adopt a structured approach to succession planning and benchmarking. ACHIEVING THE DIPLOMA COMPLETION OF EIGHT MODULES AND A PASS IN AN EXAM ACHIEVES THE DIPLOMA IN COMPANY DIRECTION AND SATISFIES ONE OF THE CRITERIA IN ACHIEVING CHARTERED DIRECTOR STATUS. CHARTERED DIRECTOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A PROFESSIONAL REVIEW RESULTS IN THE AWARD OF CHARTERED DIRECTOR.
Course profiles Diploma in Company Direction structure and content The Diploma is structured as a series of eight facilitated courses, ranging from one to three days, comprising 15 days study in total, which is to be taken over a period of 9 months. The programme is designed to provide a comprehensive review of the areas in which strategic leaders must show competence: roles, responsibilities and legal liabilities of directors, finance, strategy, marketing, people, decision making and change. One of the key elements of the Diploma is the way in which learning is delivered. The programme is designed to be highly interactive and concentrates on giving participants a real understanding of the issues under discussion. The study group will be kept deliberately small to facilitate a high quality learning environment. As a result, places will be strictly limited. Enrolment also gives participants a year s membership of the Institute of Directors. The course tutors encourage full involvement and are flexible in their approach, responding to the dynamics and needs of the group as a whole. Their aim is to provide participants with the awareness they need to fulfil their learning responsibilities and to help delegates achieve success in a practical and applicable way. Upon being awarded the IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction, candidates may pursue Chartered Director status. The Role of the Company Director and the Board The Role of the Company Director and Board will explain how a board should operate, the director s personal and collective responsibilities, duties, key tasks and legal liabilities. It will also detail why directors and board meetings are different from managers, executives and their operational meetings. Key learning outcomes are: Understand key duties, roles and responsibilities of directors, corporate governance and the board s role. Distinguish the crucial differences between management, direction and ownership. Understand how to help improve board effectiveness. The Director and the Law The Director and the Law is an exploration of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a director. It will explain the importance of understanding the legal requirements made on directors as well details of the law itself. Key learning outcomes are: A detailed knowledge behind the defining of the legal status of a company. An understanding of the legal duties and liabilities of individual directors and the board. An awareness of the disclosure of information needs and associated legal requirements. Finance for Non-Financial Directors Finance for Non-Financial Directors aims to emphasise and develop an understanding of the role of finance in supporting the agreed strategies and in monitoring and controlling performance. Key learning outcomes are: Evaluate the sources of finance available and their relative advantages. Understand and interpret the terminology used in finance. Know how to compile financial statements in accordance with accounting principles and standards. Distinguish between management accounts and the statutory financial reports of a company. Evaluate and monitor the financial health of a business spotting the warning signs. Develop project appraisal skills using discounted cash flow techniques.
Strategic Business Direction Effective Marketing Strategies Effective Marketing Strategies provides an Strategic Business Direction is designed to overview of the principles of marketing develop an understanding of the role of strategy, looking at why marketing is strategy in defining and agreeing the future important, how marketing strategies are potential of the organisation and helps develop devised, implemented and controlled in order skills in strategy formulation, implementation to create customer value and improve the and management. Key learning outcomes are: company s market performance. Key learning Evaluate the roles and responsibilities in outcomes are: strategic thinking, analysis, choice and An understanding of the role and responsibility implementation. of the board in determining marketing strategy. Understand the board s role in defining the An appreciation of the dynamics of the market purpose of a company, how that should be and how to determine a company s position. established and developed and the vision, How to evaluate and assess appropriate goals and values of a company. marketing tactics and how to select the right Manage the relationship between business ones. strategy, functional strategies and tactical plans. Develop strategic thinking tools. Understand and assess the strategic options using suitability, feasibility and acceptability criteria. Develop risk assessment skills associated with the identification of strategic opportunities and the setting of strategic objectives. Manage the relationships between strategy, structure and systems. IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NO EXCUSE! AS DIRECTORS IN OUR BOARDROOMS, WE EACH HAVE THE DUTY TO PLAY A BROAD NON-SPECIALIST ROLE, FOR WHICH WE MUST KEEP OURSELVES ABREAST OF ONGOING BEST PRACTICE. CHARLES CLAYTON, C DIR, FCMA, COMPASS GROUP
People Mean Business People Mean Business explores the issues of aligning human resource strategies to business goals. It looks at the professional frameworks within which directors can enhance the investment made in people, so adding value to the business. Key learning outcomes are: Re-assess and align human resource policies and practices in the light of corporate strategy. Understand how to gain competitive advantage through people. Implement effective reward, recognition and remuneration strategies. Implement and manage strategies for the development of people. Understand the implications of employment law. Effective Board Decision Making Effective Board Decision Making looks at collective decision-making by boards and top teams. It explores the methods of improving the effectiveness of the board s decision making. Key learning outcomes are: Understanding the strategic issues facing the board. Developing skills to improve the effectiveness of decision making. Gaining control of decision making at board meetings. Appreciating the role of the director as a strategic thinker. Evaluating the implementation of decisions. Leading and Directing Change Leading and Directing Change examines how directors and boards provide direction and leadership in implementing major change. Key learning outcomes are: Understand the most effective processes for implementing change. Anticipate and counter resistance to change and how to overcome barriers. Manage the board s role in providing direction and leadership in implementing change. Evaluate the external and internal pressures for change within companies. Achieve Chartered Director Status Individuals who are awarded the IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction, and who meet the IoD practical experience criteria, may elect to progress to Chartered Director, the professional qualification for directors. Influential companies and institutions now support Chartered Director as the leading designation for executive directors and non-executive directors. Chartered Directors lead organisations, whether in the private or public sector, at the highest strategic level. If you wish to continue your professional development, enhance your skills still further and fine-tune your business performance, completing the Chartered Director qualification is the next step. For information on Chartered Director visit www.iod.com/chartered INVESTORS IN PEOPLE ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF IMPROVING LEADERSHIP STANDARDS IN THE BOARDROOM IS THROUGH THE CHARTERED DIRECTOR AWARD, AND WE COMMEND IT TO EVERYONE WHO ASPIRES TO LEAD IN BUSINESS OR ALREADY DOES SO.
Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible to do the IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction? The IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction is open to directors. It may also be available for other senior managers. How long does the programme last? The programme has been designed to be completed within 9 months. The learning process requires that participants attend study days, taken over the course of the year. How much does the Diploma in Company Direction cost? The IoD/CIMA Diploma in Company Direction is available to CIMA members at the special price of 6,500 (ex.vat). This includes Diploma and Chartered Director enrolment and tuition fees, 12 months IoD membership, all course materials, refreshments and lunch on study days as well as the exam fee. Applicants must pay for the whole programme in advance. Where are the study days being held? All study days will be held at CIMA, 26 Chapter Street, London SW1. Details can be found from the CIMA website www.cimaglobal.com. Study days commence at 9:00 and finish at 17:00. Refreshments are available throughout the day including lunch. There is no additional cost for either lunch or refreshments. What does the exam involve? The 3 hour exam consists of multiple-choice questions, testing the candidate on the full range of the subjects studied as well as some fundamental cognitive skills. Several questions will relate to a chosen case study. A candidate must obtain an overall pass mark in order to be awarded the Diploma. Those who do not reach the required percentage can retake the exam. In the event of a retake being required, areas of exam weakness will be indicated, and a further exam fee is payable. If I pass the exam do I become a Chartered Director? No. Passing the exam proves you have the requisite knowledge to apply for Chartered Director. To become Chartered, a professional review with the IoD will be required. For full details of what is involved visit www.iod.com/chartered How do I apply? To request an application form please email marketing@cimaglobal.com. Once your submission has been received and approved by the Programme Administrator, a letter confirming acceptance will be sent, along with an invoice for the full amount of the programme. DEBORAH LE NOURY, C DIR, FCMA, INVESTEC ASSET MANAGEMENT I WAS AWARE THAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DIRECTOR WERE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A MANAGER, AND I WANTED MY CONTRIBUTION ON THE BOARD TO BE THE VERY BEST IT COULD POSSIBLY BE.