Corporate Governance Flashcards
What is the primary duty of the board of directors?
To monitor management behavior.
What is the responsibility of the Nominating or Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors?
Oversees the board
Responsible for hiring new CEO
What is the responsibility of the audit committee of the board of directors?
The audit committee appoints and oversees the external auditor.
What is the duty of the compensation committee of the board of directors?
The compensation committee handles the CEO’s compensation package.
What does the NYSE and NASDAQ require of the board of directors?
They require the board to be independent.
What is the main goal in an executive compensation package?
The package should ensure that the goals of management should match those of the shareholders.
How can an executive compensation package ensure that goals of management align with those of shareholders?
Executive compensation should create an incentive for management to govern in a shareholder-friendly way that doesn’t sacrifice the long-term success of the enterprise for short-term gain.
Which influences help mold the direction that management takes?
They range from internal (Board of Directors- Audit Committee- Internal Control) to external (Creditors- SEC- IRS)
These influences should not be tainted by undue influence from management or have financial ties to management such as compensation-related duties
What is shirking?
When management doesn’t act in the best interest of shareholders.
It can be alleviated by tying compensation to stock performance or company profit.
What requirements are imposed on a public company under Sarbanes-Oxley?
Management must submit a report on the effectiveness of Internal Control in the 10K.
Management must disclose significant Internal Control deficiencies.
CEO/CFO must certify that the financial statements comply with securities laws and fairly present the financial condition of the company.
What are the elements of the control environment?
The following are elements of the control environment:
- Integrity & Ethics
- Competence
- The Board of Directors & Audit Committee
- Management’s Operating Style
- Organizational Structure
- Authority & Roles of Responsibilities
- HR Policies
What characteristics are promoted by the COSO framework on internal control?
Reliable financial reporting
Effective and efficient operations
Compliance
What are the basic elements of internal control?
The basic elements of internal control are:
- Control Environment
- Risk Assessment
- Control Activities
- Information and Communication
- Monitoring
What are control activities?
A component of internal control that includes actions being taken to promote the control environment.
What is the significance of the Information and Communication aspect of internal control?
Management must have access to relevant and timely information to make good decisions.
How does Monitoring affect internal control?
Internal Control activities must be constantly monitored and evaluated for effectiveness.
What are possible responses to risk under the COSO framework for enterprise risk management?
Avoid or Reduce
Share or Accept
What activities does the COSO framework for enterprise risk management include?
COSO framework for enterprise risk management include the following activities:
- Identifies Risk Factors
- Promotes Risk Response Decisions
- Compares Management Risk vs. Shareholder Goals
- Aids in evaluating opportunities
- Promotes Quicker Capital movement
Does NOT eliminate all risk
What are some examples of controls for the following risk:
Risk: Inaccurate or incomplete sales data and lack of security over sales order information
(Sales & Collections Business Process)
In regards to a company’s process where sales orders are inputted manually
Example controls are:
- Password control over terminals to assure that sales are authorized by sales department
- Accuracy and completeness controls over inputs (accuracy and completeness controls include controls such a validity checks, missing data checks, logic checks, limit tests, etc.)
- Physical controls over terminals and files
What are some examples of controls for the following risk:
Risk: Inaccurate or incomplete sales data and lack of security over sales order information
(Sales & Collections Business Process)
In regards to a Company’s process where sales are made over the internet
Example controls are:
- Encryption of transmitted data
- Accuracy and completeness controls over inputs
- Password control over access to information to maintain a segregation of duties
- Data controls to ensure that sales prices are accurately inputted and updated
What are some examples of controls for the following risk:
Risk: Sales to customers that are NOT creditworthy
(Sales & Collections Business Process)
In regards to a Company’s process where they outsource credit to a credit card company
Example controls are:
Protect credit card information with password control and physical security over terminals and files
What are some examples of controls for the following risk:
Risk: Sales to customers that are NOT creditworthy
(Sales & Collections Business Process)
In regards to a Company’s process where the credit department extends credit
Example controls are:
- Credit department should be independent of sales function and approve credit limits
- Effective practices for collecting credit information to make evaluations to grant credit