Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) and ESG

Course objective

This comprehensive course provides a deep dive into the integration of the COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission) framework and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Participants will explore the key components of the COSO framework, which focuses on enterprise risk management, internal control, and fraud deterrence, and understand how these principles can be harmonized with ESG criteria. By merging COSO’s robust governance and risk management structure with ESG’s focus on sustainability and ethical business practices, this course equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of contemporary corporate governance successfully.

Course content

1. Introduction to COSO and ESG – Overview of COSO and ESG frameworks, Significance of integrating internal controls and ESG principles, The role of corporate governance in sustainability.
2. Understanding the COSO Internal Control Framework – Comprehensive review of the COSO internal control framework.
3. Exploring ESG Principles – ESG principles, the maturity if the ESG initiative.
4. Integration of COSO and ESG – Strategies for aligning COSO internal control objectives with ESG goals.
5. Assessing ESG Risks – Identification of ESG risks, assess and prioritise risks, Case studies on ESG risk management.
6. Implementing ESG Controls – Designing and implementing controls to address ESG risks.
7. ESG Reporting and Disclosure – ESG reporting standards: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), ESG reporting standards: Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SABS).
8. Ethical Considerations in ESG – Ethics and integrity in ESG practices.
9. ESG Trends and Future Outlook – Emerging trends in ESG and governance, Consequences of practical application of ESG, Technology and data analytic processes in ESG.