Governance & Compliance

Governance Assurance and Combined Assurance

Boards receive assurance from management, risk, compliance, internal audit and external providers, often with gaps and overlaps. This course explains assurance mapping and combined assurance: the three lines model, mapping assurance providers, assessing assurance quality, coordinating activities and reporting a combined view to the board.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Uncoordinated assurance wastes resources and leaves blind spots. You will learn to give boards a coherent assurance picture.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Assurance mapping workshops, case studies, coordination exercises and reporting practice.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the three lines model and assurance providers
Map assurance across key risks
Assess the reliability of assurance sources
Identify gaps and overlaps
Coordinate assurance planning
Report combined assurance to the board

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Heads of internal audit
Risk and compliance leaders
Audit committee members
Governance professionals
Assurance providers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Assurance mapping
Quality assessment
Coordination
Gap analysis
Combined reporting

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Assurance Concepts

09:00–10:08Assurance and the board
10:08–11:00Three lines model
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Three lines model (continued)
11:45–12:53Providers
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Assurance Mapping

09:00–10:08Selecting risks
10:08–11:00Mapping providers
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Mapping providers (continued)
11:45–12:53Coverage
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Quality

09:00–10:08Assessing reliability
10:08–11:00Independence
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Independence (continued)
11:45–12:53Evidence
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Coordination

09:00–10:08Joint planning
10:08–11:00Reducing duplication
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Reducing duplication (continued)
11:45–12:53Sharing results
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Reporting

09:00–10:08Combined assurance reports
10:08–11:00Board communication
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Board communication (continued)
11:45–12:53Improvement
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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