INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SECRETARIES AND ADMINISTRATORS IN ZIMBABWE

APPLIED GOVERNANCE, RISK AND COMPLIANCE (AGRC)

EXAMINER’S REPORT JUNE 2020

Overall Comments

1.1 The handwriting was overall satisfactory.

1.2 The candidates who passed appropriately conceptualised and applied the principles
of Applied Governance, Risk and Compliance to some of the questions asked whilst
those who failed regurgitated the principles. Most of the students who failed,
completely misunderstood some questions, and incorrectly applied the principles in
tackling questions 1, 2, 5 and 7.
1.2 The paper was generally balanced, in terms of content, coverage and structure.

Analysis by question

2.1 Question 1

This was the least popular question among the candidates. This question was the
least attempted and was the least in terms of pass rate. Candidates who passed
correctly applied the knowledge, policies and assertions in assessing international
fraud, and were also able to evaluate and analyse how shareholder activism can
benefit Africa Tiles Limited and enhance corporate governance.

2.2 Question 2

A significant number of candidates attempted this question. This question was

number two in terms of the attempted questions. The candidates who failed (merely
regurgitated) facts about the Board composition but did not critically evaluate how
NEDs are liable for frauds perpetrated by the top management of the corporation.

2.3 Question 3

This was another popular question among candidates. The candidates that failed did
not understand the critical role that Directors play in protecting the shareholder’s
interest.

2.4 Question 4

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INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SECRETARIES AND ADMINISTRATORS IN ZIMBABWE

A handful of candidates attempted this question. The candidates who

did not make it, could not assess the current state of corporate
governance within AT and the corporation’s chances of success in the
global market.

2.5 Question 5

This was the worst in terms of performance. The candidates who failed did not
understand what a whistleblowing system is but concentrated on the Board
structure and committees. Others dwelt on the composition of audit committee and
what it should have done to prevent fraud.

2.6 Question 6

This was the most popular question among candidates. This was the most attempted
question and the second in terms of performance and appeared to be the easiest.
Most candidates completely missed out the questions could neither understand the
GRC nor apply it practical to the case study. The question was fair, and candidates
could have easily scored marks, provided they understood the concepts and
frameworks of governance, risk and compliance.

2.7 Question 7

This question was not popular among the candidates. This was the second least
attempted question and number four in terms of performance. Candidates who
failed did not apply corporate governance principles to answer the question. Most
candidates dwelt on the past of Africa Tiles Limited, its inception and the
management system of the former MD.

3 Analysis for the whole paper

The Applied Governance, Risk and Compliance paper was being examined during
very difficult times of Covid-19 and uncertainty surrounding the writing of
examinations.

The candidates were not prepared for the examination compared to the November
2019 Corporate Governance and Risk Management paper.

4. Proposals

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INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SECRETARIES AND ADMINISTRATORS IN ZIMBABWE

4.1 Study and practice application of corporate governance, risk management and
compliance governance fundamentals.
4.2 Thorough preparation through practicing and tackling case studies and applying the
appropriate fundamentals.

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