Strengthening Governance Through Skilled Directors
As a Director, you carry responsibilities not only to your organization, but also to its shareholders or members, staff, suppliers, and your fellow Board members. The role requires balancing competing priorities and navigating an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment.
The Directors’ Education and Accreditation Program (DEAP) is a short, intensive, and highly effective way to gain a clear understanding of the Board Director role and the key areas of knowledge required to perform it well. The program equips you with the tools to meet your responsibilities to your organization, its stakeholders, and yourself with confidence and professionalism.
Upon successful completion, you will be prepared to meet the demands facing today’s Board Directors.
“We offered the DEAP session not just to our directors, but also to members of management who present at subsidiary board meetings. This allowed management to truly understand what information is important to boards. It was a very worthwhile exercise and I saw immediate results at subsequent board meetings.“
– J. Shulist, Corporate Director, Compliance and Corporate Secretary – Kruger Inc.
About the Directors’ Education and Accreditation Program
Designed for busy professionals who want to strengthen their governance competencies, the Directors’ Education and Accreditation Program (DEAP) provides essential knowledge in governance, financial reporting and disclosure, strategy development, and risk management – the core areas every current or aspiring Board Director must master.
The DEAP program consists of three subject areas, each delivered through a full‑day learning workshop featuring presentations, discussions, case studies, and an in‑class assessment. Participants receive a study guide for advance review to help them prepare for each workshop.
Governance for Directors
Understand why governance is a discipline that needs to operate to standards and the reliance which stakeholders place on the Board of Directors.
This module will introduce you to the general governance standards and principles of current-day corporate governance.
View Objectives
At the end of this module candidates will:
Understand where to access information for further reading and ongoing updates of knowledge in the governance arena.
Understand why governance is a discipline that needs to operate to standards.
Understand the reliance which stakeholders place on the Board of Directors.
Understand the roles of a Board of Directors and a Director.
Understand the key tenets to effective governance.
Understand the separation between governance and management.
Understand the importance of holding the CEO accountable.
Finance for Directors
The directors of any entity must be concerned with the well being of the entity they are entrusted to oversee. Directors must be independent and objective in fulfilling their fiduciary duties.
This module will focus on the basics of accounting, financial reporting, and internal control.
View Objectives
At the end of this module candidates will:
Understand the expectations of entity stakeholders (e.g., sustainable growth or efficiency).
Understand how the Finance organization contributes to the strategic mission.
Understand the integrity of internal controls and financial information.
Understand the integrity of financial reporting.
Understand the regulatory or contractual obligations for financial reporting by the entity.
Understand how entity assets and resources are protected by financial oversight.
Strategy and Risk Management
Boards have a key role to play in strategy and risk management. However, it is not always clear what that role should be.
This module will cover the fundamentals of strategy development and risk management amongst a Board of Directors.
View Objectives
At the end of this module candidates will:
Understand the role of the board and directors in strategy and risk management for the various types of organizations.
Understand the context in which strategy is developed and organizations operate.
Understand the fundamental process of strategic management and the director’s responsibility for each aspect of the process.
Support best practices in the development of a strategy.
Evaluate management’s progress using appropriate tools in monitoring and implementing the desired strategy.
Understand and counteract the key challenges to strategy development and implementation.
Understand the relationship between strategy and risk.
Understand the key concepts and approaches to risk.
Understand the requirement for and oversight of controls.
Understand the integrated and strategic approach to risk management – Enterprise Risk Management.
Ensure that their boards are structured appropriately for risk governance.
Understand some of the major emerging risks for organizations.
Online and in‑person sessions are offered throughout the year. Each session runs for three days, with each day dedicated to one subject area. You may choose to complete the workshops on consecutive days or spread them out over several weeks or months to suit your schedule. Start times vary by session to accommodate participants across multiple time zones.
For more information about the DEAP program, please contact our Education Team.
Online and in-person DEAP workshops are held multiple times per year.
view education calendar and RegisterYour Investment
Time: The program requires the completion of three full‑day workshops. Depending on your background, you should also plan for up to 40 hours of pre‑reading using the study guides provided, to familiarize yourself with the subject matter before each workshop.
Cost: Costs vary depending on delivery method. Current pricing is shown below.
Other Considerations:
- Study materials are included in the program fees.
- Study materials, workshops, and examinations are delivered in English.
- Special accommodations are available for participants who require them.
- Certification is maintained through continuous annual membership.
DEAP Registration fees
ONLINE SESSION (CAD):
Member Rate:
$3,000 (early-bird rate – available 30 days in advance of the session taking place), or $3,250 (within 30 days of the session taking place) per participant.
Your membership must be current in order to receive the member price.
Non-Member Rate:
$3,290 (early-bird rate – available 30 days in advance of the session taking place) or $3,540 (within 30 days of the session taking place) per participant.
GROUP SESSIONS:
Group rates are available. Please contact our Education Team for more information.
Please Note:
First year membership fees are included.
Pricing may change without notice.
Pricing subject to applicable taxes.
Introducing the DEAP Facilitators
Our facilitators are experts in governance, financial reporting and disclosure, strategy development, and risk management. They are committed to the practice of good governance and bring their professional experience to life in the DEAP classroom, sharing practical insights and real‑world perspectives with participants.
- Dr. Wiliam A. Basztyk, PhD, MBA, FCG, PAdm, FCIM, FIIC, FCIP, RGD, CBiol, FRSB, CChem, FRSC(UK)
- Christine E. Carter, JD, FCG, Acc. Dir.
- Nicholas F. Cheung, CPA, CA, CIPM, GPC.D
- Paul Dubal, FCG, P.Adm., Acc.Dir.
- Garnet Fenn, MBA, FCPA, FCA, FCMA, FCGA (Ontario), CPA/PFP, CIM, FCSI, FCG, Acc.Dir, ICD.D
- Richard Giel CPA, CA, Acc.Dir.
- Sylvia Groves, FCG, Acc.Dir.
- Dr. William Holmes, DBA, MBA, MA, CPA, CPHR, FCG, Acc.Dir, ICD.D
- Asif Jasat, MBA, PMP, Prosci, Acc.Dir.
- Shona McGlashan FCG, GPC.D, ICD.D
- Janis Riven, BCL, LLB, MBA, FCG, Acc.Dir.
- Mahendra “Robin” Singh, MA, BSc, Acc. Dir, FCCA, CPA
- Linda Wood Edwards, BAdmin, CAE, FCG, Acc.Dir.
Interested in being a DEAP facilitator? Please contact our Education Team.
Considering DEAP as a professional development opportunity for your entire board? The DEAP program can be catered to your group’s specific requirements.
contact our education team