Corporate governance Flashcards
Why do you need corporate governance?
Because in most organisations, there is a separation between ownership and control
what is the process of setting up a company called?
incorporation
what is the agency relationship?
as a corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners, the ownership and control of the company can become separated as the shareholders aren’t the same people as those who run the company
benefits of the ownership/control separation
- specialist managers run the business more efficiently than those who own it
- managers can’t contribute all the capital, so they bring in external capital from investors who have no interest in the day to day operations
Corporate governance
set of processes and policies by which a company is directed, administrated and controlled (ensures business is run in the best interests of shareholders)
Main 4 recommendations of best practise in effective corporate governance:
- membership of board of directors
- how director’s remuneration is decided and disclosed
- role of both and internal and external audit
- how the public, as legit stakeholder in large company, has a right to know how the company is being governed
4 reasons companies adopt good corporate governance?
- business success
- investor confidence
- minimisation of wastage
- listing requirement
Directors who are involved in day to day running of company
executive directors
- types of directors
Executive directors and …
Non-executive directors (NEDS) - not employees of company and have no managerial responsibilities however, they do attend board meetings and have a say in strategic decision making of company
Role of NEDS:
- Strategy (challenge and contribute to development of strategy)
- Performance (scrutinise performance of management in meeting agreed goals and monitoring senior management)
- Risk (should be satisfied that financial info. is accurate and financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible)
- People (have to determine appropriate levels of remuneration for executives and have a prime role in appointing, and removing senior management as part of succession planning)
Who should be independent in a company?
NEDS (non-executive directors)
NEDS must not…..:
- have been an employee of company in last 5 years
- have had a material business interest in company for last 3 years
- participate in company’s share options or pension schemes
- have close ties with company directors or senior employee’s
- serve as a NED for 9+ years with same company
Half of the board of directors should be what?
NEDS
What does good corporate governance recommend?
the role of chairman should be distinct from the Chief Executive office - if one person has both roles, it gives them too much power and allows them to individually dominate the running of the company
What is a remuneration committee?
A committee made up of NEDS which is responsible for deciding the pay and incentives offered to executive directors