Our Services

Governance

Our experienced team of lawyers and Company Secretaries work cohesively to deliver a full range of corporate governance services.

We help organisations comply with legal, compliance and regulatory requirements to achieve best practice standards.

Corporate governance is about enabling organisations to control risks and assuring compliance. Our purpose-built corporate governance solutions empower listed and unlisted entities to more confidently navigate the challenges of the dynamic governance landscape.

Expert governance services and support

Risk assessment

We conduct risk assessment audits of corporate governance and compliance documents and procedures to identify deficiencies and suggest improvements.  This includes providing solutions to anti-bribery, corruption, modern slavery and whistleblower compliance requirements and assistance in implementing them.

Satisfaction of regulatory requirements or best practice standards

We provide or amend documentation and procedures to bring entities into line  with regulatory requirements or best practice standards (including with a socially ethical lens). For ASX listed entities, we advise on the changes required to positively report against as many of the new Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th edition, February 2019) as possible.

Review against industry reports

We would be pleased to conduct a review of your entity’s practices and procedures against those recommended in relevant industry reports such as the CBA Prudential Inquiry Final Report or the Royal Commission Report into Misconduct in the Banyans, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Training workshops

We prepare or facilitate training workshops, presentations and refresher courses in relation to governance and compliance to ensure the entire organisation understands its importance and how to implement procedures.

Internal and external investigations

We advise and assist clients with internal investigations, such as those resulting from whistleblower alerts and external investigations by regulators such as ASIC.

Whistle blower facilitation services

We provide whistleblower facilitation services to comply with your whistleblower policies.

Minimise governance and compliance risks

The market now demands greater accountability, scrutiny and exposure of directors and organisations who fail to comply with laws, regulations and ethical considerations.

It is therefore crucial that board members implement robust corporate governance policies and strong but flexible procedures that comply with changing regulatory requirements, mitigate risk and still enable the business to function and grow.

The Automic Company Secretarial team work cohesively to assess, strategise and implement policies and procedures that:

Minimise these governance and compliance risks for directors and their organisations
Are robust and reliable and take into account current market views on accountability and socially ethical considerations
Are flexible enough to allow ongoing business growth

minimise governance and compliance risks at automic group

Want to know more? Get in touch

Governance Services FAQ

+ What is corporate governance and its purpose?

Corporate governance encompasses the processes, practices and policies that a company relies on to make formal decisions and to manage the company. It aims to protect shareholder rights, enhance disclosure and transparency, facilitate effective functioning of the board and provide an efficient legal and regulatory administration framework. In addition, it defines the relationship between shareholders, management, the board of directors and other stakeholders

The purpose of corporate governance is to facilitate effective management that can assist in delivering the long-term success of a company. The importance of corporate governance is growing in today’s environment, due to the fact governance is an important way of ensuring transparency that makes sure the interests of all stakeholders (shareholders, managers, employees, suppliers, customers, among others) are protected.

+ Why is corporate governance necessary?

The corporate governance framework followed by a company is the distribution of rights and responsibilities by all participants within a company. Corporate Governance ensures everyone in the company follows appropriate and transparent decision making process and that the interests of all stakeholders are protected.

Adhering to good corporate governance helps the company to regulate risk, it is essential for a company to achieve its objectives and drive improvement, as well as maintain legal and ethical standing in the eyes of stakeholders and regulators.

+ How corporate governance provides benefits to companies

Corporate governance assists in building an environment of trust, transparency and accountability necessary for fostering long-term investment, financial stability and business integrity. It ensures that the management of a company considers the best interests of everyone, helps companies deliver long-term corporate success and economic growth, maintains the confidence of investors, can have a positive impact on the price of shares, improves control over management and information systems, gives guidance to the owners and managers about what are the goals strategy of the company, foresters a strong brand reputation and assist in regulating risks.

Strong governance supports better decision making, better business performance and better risk mitigation.

+ What type of service does corporate governance include?

Audit existing governance practices.
Develop and implement an effective corporate governance framework.
Develop charters, policies and procedures to support compliance.
Provide relevant contemporary company wide governance training.

+ How does corporate governance reduce risk?

A good corporate governance framework can mitigate a company’s risks, thus reducing director’s exposure and enhancing the company’s risk profile. Corporate Governance when enacted effectively can clarify risk and consequently, can control it.

+ How can corporate governance boost board performance?

Corporate governance best practices offer guidelines for board members to be most effective in bringing strategic value to their company. Board chairpersons and members help ensure the board plays a key role in their company’s success when they develop strong understanding of, and successfully implement corporate governance best practices. Corporate Governance formally establishes goals, ensures support by management and board in addition it establishes coherent business direction and aids in ensuring the confidence of stakeholders.

Whether listed or unlisted, the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations is the benchmark against which the corporate governance practices are measured by investors and other stakeholders.

+ Why is risk management important in corporate governance?

Corporate governance enhances the division of responsibility within the company for risk management and determines at each level how risk management will be implemented. Corporate Governance when enacted effectively can clarify risk and consequently, can control it.