Untitled - Cerebral Palsy League

• Service Region and Operating Unit controls – Service and Operating Units are required to comply with financial controls and procedures including
information system controls detailed in procedures manuals
• Functional Specialty Reporting – Key areas subject to regular reporting to the Board include Property Projects, Financial Operations and Marketing
and Fundraising Initiatives
• Investment Appraisal – Guidelines for Capital expenditure, levels of authority and project assessment are used
Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland ( )
In addition, practices have been established to ensure:
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Financial exposures are controlled
Capital expenditure above a certain size obtain prior Board approval
Occupational health and safety standards are monitored and regularly reviewed to achieve high standards of performance and compliance with
regulations
Business transactions are properly authorised and executed
Environmental regulation compliance
The quality and integrity of personnel is identified and maintained
Financial reporting accuracy and compliance with the financial reporting regulatory framework
Compliance with changes in government regulation
One of the significant risks currently being managed by the League relates to the cost of compliance with government regulatory change. Many of the League’s
building facilities are now aged and there is continuing financial pressure upon the League to meet new and improved government standards. The introduction
of new fire safety regulations brought with it the potential to impact significantly upon the League’s ability to provide services due to the extremely high cost
of ensuring that that all the League’s buildings are fully compliant. During the year the Directors have been required to urgently consider various options,
particularly in relation to Fig Tree Pocket, to ensure that this potential impact can be managed and addressed in a timely manner and without detriment to the
League or its clients.
Occupational health and safety
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for ensuring the ongoing employee awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace. The League’s premiums are
affected by the level of statutory and common law claims and the importance of this issue to the League was highlighted in 2003 by an extremely large increase
in the League’s Workcover premium. In recent years, significant emphasis has been placed on educating staff, clients and their families on the importance of
complying with directives relating to occupational health and safety, such as correct lifting procedures. This had the effect of reducing major injuries and of
significantly reduced current year Workcover premiums from the 2003 levels however there has again been an increase in injuries in the 2004-2005 financial
year which has contributed, once again, to a rise in premiums. Occupational health and safety is an extremely important issue for the League and its staff
and clients and will be the focus of continued education during the year to ensure there is a good understanding of the importance of compliance with safe
practices. The Board and senior management continually monitor employer safety statistics, review work practices and receive reports on the results of incident
investigations throughout the year.
Product liability
This risk relates to the construction, adjustment and maintenance of equipment undertaken by Equipment Technology Services and is addressed through
contractual arrangements and the League’s Quality Assurance processes.
Assessment of effectiveness of risk management
The Board is currently overseeing the establishment of an internal audit function to help it in ensuring compliance with internal controls and risk management
programs. The internal audit reports will be issued to the Chairperson and to the Chairperson of the Finance Audit & Compliance Committee/Treasurer and
tabled at the Finance Audit and Compliance committee meetings. This committee will be responsible for approving the program of internal audit visits to be
conducted each financial year and the scope of the work to be performed. An independent review to assess and evaluate the quality of the internal function and
its effectiveness will be performed at regular intervals to be determined by the committee.
The committee will also be responsible for making recommendations to the Board concerning the appointment and dismissal of an internal auditor.
Ethical Standards
All Directors, managers and employees of the League are expected to act with the utmost integrity and objectivity, striving at all times to enhance the reputation
and performance of the League. Every employee has a nominated supervisor to whom they may refer any issues arising from their employment. Executive
Management have commenced the process of developing an Ethical Standards Manual which will document such policies.
Code of Conduct
The League has a policy that all Directors, managers and employees must comply with the Code of Conduct that is contained in the ethical standards manual.
The policy addresses the following:
• Aligning the behaviour of the Board, management and employees with the code of conduct by maintaining appropriate core company values and
objectives
• Fulfilling responsibilities to clients, customers and consumers by maintaining high standards of service delivery, product quality and safety of goods
produced
• Usefulness of financial information by maintaining integrity of data, appropriate accounting policies, practice and disclosure
• Maintaining employment practices such as occupational health and safety, employment opportunity and community activities.