Business 1: Corporate Governance Flashcards
Does the BOD have individual authority?
- No
- Must act as group if quorum present
What is the primary role of an entity’s BOD?
- Safeguard co assets
- Maximize shareholder return
Who has the sole discretion to declare distributions to shareholders, including dividends?
BOD
Directors must always act in the best interests of the corporation because they are ________ of the corporation.
Fiduciaries
The duty of loyalty prohibits directors from _______ with the corporation.
Competing
The articles of incorporation may eliminate or limit a director’s liability to the corporation for money damages for action taken as a director except to the extent of actions taken in _____ _____.
Bad faith
Officers are _____ of the corporation who ordinarily manage its day-to-day operations and may bind the corporation to contracts made on it behalf.
Individual agents
May the BOD remove an officer with or without cause?
YES
What two types of authority does an officer have?
- Actual (oral/written instruction)
- Apparent (title CEO/CFO)
Officers also may serve as directors, but good corporate governance would require what?
- Majority of BOD should be independent
SOX addresses what three key topics?
1) Corporate responsibility
2) Enhanced financial disclosures
3) Fraud
SOX Title III addresses what?
Corporate responsibility (audit committee and CEO/CFO representations)
SOX Title III. Audit committee members are to be members of the issuer’s BOD but are to be otherwise what?
Independent
SOX Title III. Who must sign certain representations regarding annual and quarterly reports?
CEO and CFO
SOX Title IV addresses what?
Enhanced financial disclosures (internal controls and audit committee)
What does COSO stand for?
Committee on Sponsoring Organizations
Who uses the COSO framework?
Used by
1) Management/board
2) Stockholders
Is the Internal Control - Integrated Framework rules-based?
- NO, it is principles-based
What are the three categories of objectives within the Internal Control - Integrated Framework?
ORC
1) Operations Objectives
2) Reporting Objectives
3) Compliance Objectives
Which of the three objectives within the Internal Control - Integrated Framework is the focus of COSO?
Reporting objectives
COSO IC-Integrated Framework. What do the operations objectives relate to?
- Relate to effectiveness and efficiency of an entity’s operations
- Includes financial and operational performance goals
- Ensures that assets of organization are adequately safeguarded against potential losses
COSO IC-Integrated Framework. What do the reporting objectives relate to?
- Pertain to reliability, timeliness, and transparency of an entity’s external and internal financial and nonfinancial reporting
- As established by regulators, accounting standard setters, or the firm’s internal policies
COSO IC-Integrated Framework. What do the compliance objectives relate to?
- Established to ensure entity is adhering to all applicable laws and regulations
What are the five integrated components of internal control?
CRIME
1) Control environment
2) Risk assessment by management
3) Info and communication systems
4) Monitoring
5) Existing control activities