Module Code: H7GFS
Long Title Governance for Financial Services
Title Governance for Financial Services
Module Level: LEVEL 7
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: Philip Shanahan
Module Author: Philip Shanahan
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Appraise the key corporate governance and ethical concepts in the financial services market
LO2 Evaluate Board architecture, the role of directors in corporate governance responsibilities, decision making, and accountability
LO3 Apply regulatory corporate governance codes to their industry sector
LO4 Relate corporate governance codes of best practice to current corporate practice by critically identifying deficiencies and strengths in corporate governance standards
LO5 Evaluate and discuss contemporary academic and industry literature pertaining to corporate governance and ethics
LO6 Describe the duties under both Statute and Common law that apply to Irish Directors, and assess the repercussions in both personal liability and future restriction/disqualification that may flow from a breach of these duties
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
•Introduction •What is corporate governance? •Business ethics •Changing face of corporate governance •Best practice v legislative approach •Corporate social responsibility •Current issues
Legal Framework and Corporate Governance
•Role of the regulator •Regulatory powers •Regulation of financial institutions •EU regulation including Basel I/II/III •Building societies and credit unions
Codes of Best Practice – Ireland and UK
•The Cadbury Report – executive vs non-executive directors and audit committee •The Greenbury Code – executive remuneration •The Hampel Report •The Combined Report – comply or explain •The Higgs Report – non-executive directors •Recent developments
Corporate Governance Theories, Principles and Models
•Separation of ownership •Agency theory •Stakeholder •Stewardship theory •Potential conflicts of interest
Role of Company Boards and Directors
•Board composition •Role and responsibility of directors •Qualifications to become a company director •Statutory duties •Disclosures vs prohibitions •Directors compliance statements •Board meetings •Board committees
Internal and External Controls
•Role of internal audit and audit committee •Role of external audit •Financial reporting
Executive Compensation Systems and Corporate Governance
•Guiding principle for remuneration committee •Long term interest of company •Relationship to pay/employment conditions elsewhere in company •Performance related elements •Transparency
Restriction and Disqualification of Directors
•Purpose of restriction (Phoenix Syndrome) •Effect of restriction •Grounds for disqualification •Effect of disqualification
Study of Relevant Case Studies
•E.g. Enron, Northern Rock, etc.
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Assessment50.00%

Assessments

Reassessment Requirement
Repeat failed items
The student must repeat any item failed
Reassessment Description
Repeat Assessments will be conducted in accordance with current college Assessment Regulations which are available on the Learner portal, in the Learner handbook and through the College internet site. These policies can also be viewed at: https://www.ncirl.ie/Students/Exams Specifically, where a learner fails to achieve a pass on the written exam on this module, he/she must resit another written exam. Failure to achieve a pass on the work-related assignment means he/she will initially be provided with feedback from the lecturer and then asked to re-evaluate the research done and resubmit based the feedback received. An appropriate timescale will be provided. If the learner fails the second written exam, he/she will be afforded a third attempt. A second failure on the work-related assignment means he/she will be given a new assignment and will be given appropriate time to complete and submit. A third failure on either assessment will mean that the learner must repeat the module.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Online
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 2 x 3 hour live online classes 6 Every Third Week 2.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Independent Learning Time Independent learning/research 105 Every Week 105.00
Directed Learning Directed learning followed by formative assessment 12 Every Week 12.00
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Online discussion forum 10 Every Week 10.00
Lecture 2 x full day classes 14 Every Third Week 4.67
Total Weekly Contact Hours 26.67
 

Module Resources

This module does not have any book resources
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • [Reading list prescribed by lecturer].
Discussion Note: