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Non-executive directors guidance

Guidance and reports from the ICAEW on the role and responsibilities of a non-executive

10 questions NEDs should be asking about LIBOR transition

John Mongelard July 2020

ICAEW’s Financial Services Faculty highlight 10 questions non-executive directors can ask to build a robust conversation around how their business is responding to the change. Therefore, the imminent change to LIBOR and its replacement with overnight rates will be far-reaching.

Avoiding information overload: banking

In our 2019 report Information overload: effective boards and committees in financial services we outlined what executives, management and non-executives can do to make board meetings and board packs more effective.

Avoiding information overload insurance

In our 2019 report Information overload: effective boards and committees in financial services we outlined what executives, management and non-executives can do to make board meetings and board packs more effective.

Is Climate Change a Board issue?

Sustainability

Given the far-reaching impact and implications, of climate change there is a need for boards to better understand how it is likely to affect their organisations and sectors so they can make better informed and more strategic decisions. However in a recent survey of ICAEW’s UK business members (Jun/July 2019), only 37% were aware of the World Economic Forum’s Climate Governance Principles and only 15% were aware of the FSB’s Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosures.

Audit committees in Europe

November 2019

This report expands our examination to audit committees in a further six EU countries, spread across the centre and south, with various corporate governance traditions and different sized capital markets – namely Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, The Netherlands and Portugal.

10 questions NEDs should be asking about climate change in financial services

Financial Services Faculty, Sustainability Team

Climate change is firmly on the board agenda, but it can be challenging to ask the right questions about new rapidly changing risks. ICAEW’s Financial Services Faculty and the Sustainability team highlight 10 questions non-executive directors can ask to get a robust conversation going and help drive strong governance.

Financial Reporting - who does what

Audit and Assurance Faculty May 2019

This overview explains in simple terms who does what in the financial reporting system for UK companies with full main market listings, providing context for the current inquiry into audit, including the Brydon, Kingman, CMA and BEIS reviews.

Information overload: effective boards and committees in financial services

Financial Services Faculty Februray 2019

ICAEW provides practical recommendations to reduce the size of board packs and make them more effective for boards. Our proposals will enable board chairs, management, executives and non-executives to improve their own papers, ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined and make sure that non-executives do not have to deal with information overload. The proposals we provide work in the context of three overarching principles.

Letter of appointment

This helpsheet considers the principles concerning letters of appointment for NEDs of UK companies and other incorporated bodies. It is written for members who are contemplating taking up such an appointment.

ICAEW's guide to directors' duties and responsibilities

Professional Standards Department Updated October 2018

This ICAEW guide provides an overview of directors' duties and responsibilities, including on internal governance, transactions between a company and its directors or shareholders, and corporate administration. It also covers responsibilities in relation to insolvent or financially challenged companies, as well as penalties for breach of directors' responsibilities.

Auditor Reporting

Audit Quality Forum February 2007

This paper considers whether the wording of the audit report satisfies shareholders' expectations. It considers the information that auditors communicate and how this reflects audit purpose, the expectations of shareholders and the need for further enhancement of confidence in the independent audit. The paper sets out the working group's key recommendations for improving the audit report.

Whistleblowing arrangements

Audit and Assurance Faculty March 2004

Guidance for audit committees: Guidance to assist non-executive directors on audit committees to gain an understanding of the provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance

Monitoring the integrity of financial statements

Audit and Assurance Faculty March 2004

Guidance for audit committees: Guidance to assist non-executive directors on audit committees to gain an understanding of the provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance

Working with your auditors

Audit and Assurance Faculty November 2003

Guidance for audit committees: Guidance to assist non-executive directors on audit committees to gain an understanding of the provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance

Reviewing auditor independence

Audit and Assurance Faculty November 2003

Guidance for audit committees: Guidance to assist non-executive directors on audit committees to gain an understanding of the provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance

Company reporting and audit requirements

Audit and Assurance Faculty May 2003

Guidance for audit committees: Guidance to assist non-executive directors on audit committees to gain an understanding of the provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance

Evaluating your auditors

Audit and Assurance Faculty May 2003

Guidance for audit committees: Guidance to assist non-executive directors on audit committees to gain an understanding of the provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance