Corporate Governance, Ethics & Compliance

Master corporate governance, ethics and compliance under German law. This course covers the AktG, DCGK, MitbestG, anti-corruption, data protection and ESG – practical and flexible. Ideal for executives, compliance officers and legal professionals.

Corporate Governance, Ethics & Compliance

Overview of Corporate Governance, Ethics & Compliance

Imagine this: a board member makes a crucial decision — without adequate oversight, without clear rules, without transparency. The result? Fines, reputational damage, and in the worst case, criminal consequences. This happens in German companies more often than many realise. According to the KPMG Integrity Survey, more than 40% of German executives consider compliance violations a serious risk to their organisations.

 

Corporate Governance, Ethics and Compliance are no longer optional extras. They are both a legal requirement and a strategic success factor. This course gives you the legal, ethical and operational knowledge you need to act confidently in supervisory and leadership roles in Germany. You will become familiar with the key German legal frameworks — from the Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and the German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK) to the Co-Determination Act (MitbestG).

 

The course is built around real-world practice and is aimed at everyone who carries or is about to take on responsibility within organisations. Whether you work as an executive, compliance officer, legal counsel, or supervisory board member, this course equips you with the tools you need to act responsibly and in accordance with the law.

 

Corporate Governance, Ethics & Compliance

Learning Objectives

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

  • Explain the foundations and requirements of the Stock Corporation Act (AktG) for management and supervisory boards
  • Confidently apply fiduciary duties and duty-of-care standards for corporate governing bodies
  • Implement the German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK) in day-to-day business practice
  • Develop and manage compliance programmes and anti-corruption measures
  • Understand and integrate employee co-determination rights under the MitbestG
  • Establish whistleblower protection mechanisms and internal reporting systems
  • Manage data protection obligations and ESG requirements at board and supervisory board level
  • Correctly apply the Business Judgment Rule and minimise liability risks

Course Curriculum

5 Sections 20 Lectures 5 Hours
  • Board structures, roles, and decision-making authority under the Stock Corporation Act
  • Fiduciary duties of the Management Board and Supervisory Board, including standards of care and loyalty
  • Shareholder rights, disclosure obligations, and transparency requirements
  • Board oversight, accountability, and application of the Business Judgment Rule under AktG
  • Internal control systems, audit committees, and financial oversight responsibilities
  • Ethical leadership, tone-from-the-top, and governance culture expectations
  • Integration of risk management into corporate strategy and operations
  • Supervisory board effectiveness, independence, and performance evaluation under the DCGK
  • Legal framework and role of employee representatives in supervisory boards
  • Boardroom dynamics, conflict resolution, and consensus-building mechanisms
  • Practical approaches to balancing shareholder interests with employee participation rights
  • Decision-making deadlocks, voting structures, and statutory resolution mechanisms under MitbestG
  • Design and implementation of risk-based compliance and anti-corruption programs
  • Internal reporting systems, whistleblower protection, and non-retaliation obligations
  • Investigation processes for corruption, fraud, and serious misconduct allegations
  • Management and supervisory board responsibilities in preventing, detecting, and responding to compliance failures
  • Privacy governance frameworks, accountability, and breach response obligations
  • Cybersecurity risk identification and integration into enterprise compliance systems
  • ESG risk assessment, supply-chain due diligence, and regulatory expectations
  • Supervisory board oversight of data protection, cyber risk, and ESG strategy alignment

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is designed for:

  • Management board members and managing directors looking to deepen their understanding of legal duties under AktG and DCGK
  • Supervisory board members who want to carry out their monitoring and advisory role professionally
  • Compliance officers and legal counsel building or developing compliance systems
  • Lawyers and legal professionals working in corporate or commercial law
  • HR professionals and works council members seeking a better understanding of co-determination rights
  • Risk managers and internal auditors looking to expand their governance knowledge
  • Law, business and MBA students seeking a practical, applied entry point into the field
  • Professionals aiming for a career in compliance, law or corporate governance

Requirements

  • No prior specialist knowledge of corporate governance is required
  • A basic understanding of business structures or organisational processes is helpful
  • An interest in legal, ethical and compliance-related topics
  • Openness to practical, applied learning in a regulated environment

Career opportunities

A qualification in Corporate Governance and Compliance opens doors in some of the most in-demand sectors in the German job market:

  • Compliance Officer / Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
    Responsible for developing and overseeing compliance programmes within an organisation.
  • Corporate Governance Manager
    Responsible for implementing governance policies and communicating with the supervisory board.
  • Supervisory Board Member (Non-Executive Director)
    An independent oversight role in listed and mid-sized companies. Remuneration varies depending on company size and mandate
  • Legal Counsel – Corporate / Company Law
    Providing legal advice on AktG, DCGK and compliance matters.
  • Risk & Compliance Analyst
    Analysing and assessing compliance and corporate risk.
  • ESG Manager / Sustainability Manager
    Managing ESG strategy and reporting in line with regulatory requirements.
  • Internal Auditor
    Reviewing internal control systems and ensuring regulatory conformity.

Certification information

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate for success in Corporate Governance, Ethics & Compliance, a recognized certificate in the field of health compliance.

Certificate Image

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is corporate governance and why is it so important in Germany? +

Corporate governance refers to all the rules, structures and processes used to lead and control a company. In Germany, it is particularly significant because the dual board system (management board + supervisory board), the DCGK and the AktG impose clear legal requirements that executives and supervisory board members must understand and meet.

02 Is this course suitable for compliance beginners? +

Yes. The course is structured to cater to both newcomers and experienced professionals. A basic background in business or law is helpful but not required.

03 Which legal frameworks are covered in the course? +

The course covers the most important German legal frameworks: the Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK), the Co-Determination Act (MitbestG), as well as current requirements relating to data protection (GDPR) and ESG compliance.

04 Is the certificate recognised by German employers? +

Yes. The CPD-accredited certificate is increasingly valued by German employers, particularly in the financial sector, the pharmaceutical industry, mechanical engineering and listed companies — where compliance expertise is a clear hiring advantage.

05 Can I complete this course alongside my job? +

Absolutely. The course is flexible and self-paced. You can work through it at your own speed — ideal for working professionals who want to upskill without disrupting their daily routine.

06 What is the difference between compliance and corporate governance? +

Corporate governance refers to the overarching structures and rules governing how a company is led. Compliance is a component of this and refers to adherence to specific laws, regulations and internal policies. Both areas are closely interlinked and are addressed together throughout this course.

07 Does the Business Judgment Rule also apply to supervisory boards in Germany? +

Yes. In Germany, the Business Judgment Rule applies in principle to both the management board and — to a limited extent — the supervisory board. The course explains precisely when and how this rule can be applied to minimise liability risks.

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