Corporate Governance Flashcards
Outside Directors
Directors who have no involvement with the entity other than in their capacity as a director
Inside Director
Has some significant involvement in the entity, often as a member of management, in addition to being a director
Disadvantages of Bonus Incentives
Often easy to manipulate profits in the short run by deferring or accelerating expenses or revenues through capitalization and depreciation policies as well as various other means.
Role of Corporate Governance
To make certain that the objectives of the entity are met while the legitimate needs and concerns of all stakeholders are being addressed
Cadbury Report
Suggested a voluntary code for corporate governance which all companies listed on the London Stock Exchange are required to comply with or explain:
(1) Extent to which they don’t comply
(2) Areas where they don’t comply
(3) Reasons for any noncompliance
Principles of Cadbury Report
(1) Clear division of responsibility at the top - primarily position of chairman of the board separated from CEO
(2) Majority of board members should be outside directors
(3) Remuneration of board members should be determined by non-executive directors
(4) Board should select an audit committee that includes at least 3 non-executive directors
OECD
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 6 Key Areas
(1) Effective corporate governance framework
(2) Shareholder rights and ownership functions
(3) Stakeholders role in corporate governance
(4) Disclosure and transparency
(5) Board responsibilities
(6) Equitable treatment of shareholders
What do Articles of Incorporation Become when Approved
Corporate Charter
Where are Articles of Corporation Filed
With secretary of state
What’s Included in Corporate Charter
(1) Name of company
(2) Address at the time of filing
(3) Company’s purpose
(4) Name of the registered agent of the corporation
(5) Name and address of each incorporater
(6) Number of authorized shares of stock and types of stock
What Are Bylaws
Internal rules of corporation
Information Included in Bylaws
(1) Minimum and maximum number of directors
(2) How directors are to be selected and compensated
(3) How often directors are to meet
(4) Nature of directors responsibilities
BOD Fiduciary Duties
(1) Act loyally and in the best interest of the corporation and shareholders - including not putting their interest above company’s and acting without personal economic conflict
(2) Act with duty of care and be diligent when making company decisions
(3) Act with due diligence
Typical BOD Duties
(1) Determining or revising the entity’s mission and bylaws
(2) Strategic planning and the development of broad objectives
(3) Selection and oversight of CEO
(4) Securing availability of financial resources
(5) Budget approval and approval of major operating and financial proposals
(6) Accounting to stakeholders including making certain reliable financial information is reported by the entity
(7) Providing advice to management and determining it’s compensation
(8) Establishing dividend policies
(9) Reacquiring treasury stock
Who Established Requirements Related to BOD of Listed Companys
NYSE and NASDAQ
Requirements for BOD of Listed Companies
(1) Majority of directors are required to be independent and information regarding independence must be provided to investors
(2) Non-management directors required to meet on a regularly scheduled basis
(3) Directors must adopt and publish a code of conduct applicable to all parties within the entitiy
(4) Must maintain an independent committee
(5) Entity must identify relationships that automatically indicate a director isn’t independent
A Board Director isn’t Independent if:
(1) They were recently an employee or affiliate of the entity, former partner or employee of the external auditor, or if a family member was recently an officer of the entity (5 years for NYSE, 3 years for NASDAQ)
(2) Director or a family member received more than $120k from the corporation, excluding director fees, for any 12 month period within the last 3 years
(3) Director is an executive of another entity that receives significant amounts of revenue from the entity
Committees Public Companies are Required to Maintain
(1) Nominating committee
(2) Audit committee
(3) Compensation committee
Nominating Committee
Responsible for overall corporate governance of an organization