AFMA

Board of Standards

BOARD OF STANDARDS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND FACULTY

University faculty members or practitioners with a distinguished record in accounting, finance, management, information technology, economics, or international business-related studies are nominated annually (on a rotational basis) by AFMA for its Education Board of Standards.

Other Faculty are also actively recruited to serve on committees and submit to the AFMA Journal, the Academy of Finance and Management Review. Many of these professors serve in an advisory capacity, whilst others teach AFMA Courses. Several of the distinguished faculty have a license from AFMA to provide executive education in specific countries around the world.

Education Board of Standards:

Dr. Chris D’Souza, Wharton Institute of Technology and Science (Chairman)
Professor Konstantine Theile, Educatis University
Professor Sheikh Rahman, Lyons College
Associate Professor Themin Suwardy, Singapore Management University
Professor Shiran Cooray, University of East Asia Associate
Professor Chris Patel, Macquarie University
Professor Desmond Yuen, University of Macau
Dr Leon Duval, Institute of Certified Management Accountants
Dr. Richard Whitwell, Central Queensland University
Dr. Wendy James, Griffith University
Mr. Manilka Fernando; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka
Professor Raymond Greasley, Calwest University

Design Strategy. Lead Direction. Create Value.

The Certified Business Strategist (CBS) certification equips professionals with structured strategic thinking capabilities to analyze environments, design competitive strategies, align organizational resources, and drive sustainable performance. The program bridges theory and practice through applied frameworks and real-world applications.

Program Modules (2 Days)

1. • Foundations of Strategic Planning
2. • External Strategic Analysis & Positioning
3. • Internal Capabilities, Processes & Knowledge
4. • Strategic Choice & Competitive Strategy Design
5. • Functional & Operational Alignment
6. • Strategy Execution & Performance Management
7. • Value Creation & Strategic Risk Management

Eligibility

1. • Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in any field
2. • Minimum 5 years of professional or project management experience

Assessment

Participants complete one applied strategic assignment.
Candidates with more than 10 years of professional experience may be exempted from the assignment, subject to review.

Ideal Participants

Managers, consultants, entrepreneurs, analysts, project managers, and professionals involved in organizational planning and decision-making.

Evaluate Strategy. Strengthen Governance. Assure Long-Term Success.

The Certified Strategy Auditor (CSA) is an advanced professional certification designed for auditors and governance professionals who aim to evaluate strategy quality, coherence, execution readiness, and long-term value creation. The program introduces a structured methodology for independent strategy assessment.

Program Structure

Module 1 – CBS Foundation (Prerequisite 2 Days)

1. • Foundations of Strategic Planning
2. • External Strategic Analysis & Positioning
3. • Internal Capabilities, Processes & Knowledge
4. • Strategic Choice & Competitive Strategy Design
5. • Functional & Operational Alignment
6. • Strategy Execution & Performance Management
7. • Value Creation & Strategic Risk Management

Module 1 – CBS Foundation (Prerequisite 2 Days)

1. • Strategy Architecture Audit
2. • External Strategy Audit
3. • Internal Capability Audit
4. • Strategic Choice & Coherence Audit
5. • Functional Alignment Audit
6. • Execution, Control & Performance Audit
7. • Value Creation, Risk & Strategic Audit
8. • Strategic Audit Opinion & Reporting

Learning Pathway

Participants must complete the CBS learning program before entering CSA (obtaining the CBS certification itself is optional). CBS develops strategy design capabilities, while CSA builds advanced strategy audit expertise.

Eligibility

1. • Completion of CBS curriculum
2. • Auditing/compliance experience (internal, external, compliance, risk, or governance roles)
3. • Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience

Assessment

Participants complete one Strategy Audit Assignment. Candidates with more than 10 years of auditing or professional experience may be exempted from the assignment, subject to review.

Ideal Participants

Internal and external auditors, risk and compliance professionals, senior managers, consultants, and governance specialists seeking structured strategy evaluation expertise.