Learning Objective 3 - Chapter 4 (3 marks) Flashcards
(145 cards)
what is corporate governance?
A system by which an organisation is directed and controlled; the process where company objectives are established, chieved and monitored.
CG is also concerned with the relationships between the board, management, shareholders and othe releant stakeholders within a legal and regulatory framework
what are the two most important parts of good corporate governance?
Transprarency and accountability
what is a corporate governance framework?
This comprises rules and practices through which a board of directors nsures accountability, fairness, and transparency in a companys relationship with its stakeholders.
what are the four levels that the Corporate Governance framework in the UK operates?
- Through Legislation - The Companies act 2006
- Through Regulation - In particular for listed companies on the London Stock exchange, through the listing rles which is the responsibility of the FCA
- Through reporting; via the UK corporate governance code, which is the responsibility of the Financial Reporting council.
- for all companies not listed on the LSE, adopting equivilnt approaches to corporate governance to those that are listed, as the UK CG code is considered to represent best practice standards of supervision and management by directors and stakeholders
what was the first full UK corporate governance code?
The Cadbury Report, published in 1992.
The initiative to form a committee (Under the chairman of Sir Adrian Cadbury) in order to publish a code of practice followed several high profile corporate failures
what was the corporate governance code formerly known as?
The combined code
What is the FRC and what is its mission?
The Financial Reporting Council
The FRC’s mission is to promote transparency and integrity within business, it sets the UK corporate governance and stewardship codes and UK standards for accounting and actuarial work.
what is the most up to date corporate governance code and when did it come into play?
The 2018 CG code, which came into play 01 Jan 2019, replacing the 2016 code.
what was the 5 main sections of the 2016 code?
- Leadership
- effectiveness
- accountability
- remuneration
- relations with shareholders
what are the 5 main sections of thr 2018 code?
- Board leadership and company purpose
- Division of responsibilities
- Composition, succession and evaluation
- Audit, risk and internal control
- Remuneration
what does the ‘Board leadership and company purpose’ section of the 2018 Corporate Governance code entail?
- the principal that a successful company will be led by an effective board, promoting long term sustainable success and generating value for shareholders
- All directors must act with integrity, lead by example and contribute to wider society
- the board should ensure that there is a framework in place which allows for risk to be assessed and managed
what does the ‘Division of responsibilities’ section of the 2018 Corporate Governance code entail?
-The chair will lead the board and is responsible for its overall effectiveness in directing the company.
- The board should include an appropriate combination of executive and non-executive
(and, in particular, independent non-executive) directors, such that no one individual or
small group of individuals dominates the board’s decision-making.
-The board, supported by the company secretary, should ensure that it has the policies,
processes, information, time and resources it needs in order to function effectively and
efficiently
what does the ‘Composition, succession and evalution’ section of the 2018 Corporate Governance code entail?
- appointments to the board should be formal, thorough and transparent and an effective succession plan should be maintained for board and senior management.
- The board should have a combination of skills, experience and knowledge.
-Annual evaluation of the board should consider its composition, diversity and how effectively members work together to achieve objectives. Individual evaluation should demonstrate whetehr each director continues to contribute effectively
what does the ‘Audit, risk and internal control’ section of the 2018 Corporate Governance code entail?
- The board should establish formal and transparent policies and procedures to ensure the independence and effectiveness of internal and external audit functions.
- the board shouls establish procedures to manage risk, oversee internal framework and determine the nature and extent of principal risks the company is willing to take in order to achieve its long term strategic objectives.
what does the ‘Remuneration’ section of the 2018 Corporate Governance code entail?
- Remuneration policies and practices should be designed to support strategy and promote long term sustainable success. Executive remuneration should be aligned to the companies purpose and values, and linked to the companies long term strategy.
- a formal and transparent procedure should be developed on executive remuneration. no director should be involved in the deciding of their own remuneration outcome.
what 4 things should companies do in terms of going concern, risk management and internal control according to the CG code 2018?
- Identify any material uncertainties in their ability to trade as ongoing concern,
- assess their principal risks and explain how they are being managed
- state whether they are able to continue in operation and meet their liabilities
- monitor their risk management and internal control systems at least annually.
is compliance with the Corporate Governance Code a legal requirement?
It is not a legal requirement however it is part of the Stock Exchange Listing Rules. i.e companies are required to state in their annual report that they are in compliance with the code, or if not fully complaint, to detail (explain) where they are not compliant and why.
what is Turnball guidance?
Set up under the chairmanship of Nigel Turnball - set out best practivce on internal control for UK listed companies, and assisted them in applying the section of the UK CGC that deald with internal control.
When was the turnball guidance published?
1999 originally, then updated versions were issued by the FCA in 2005, 2009 wiith the latest being 2014
What were the key changes to the 2014 issue of the ‘turnball guidance’?
The turnball guidance was republished and called ‘Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control, and Related Financial and Business Reporting’ (the ‘Risk Guidance’). It applies to listed companies for accounting periods beginning on or after 01 October 2014.
what are the legal requirements for compliance to the Corporate Governance Code?
UK companies are not legally required to comply with the CGC, however if the firm is listed on the London Stock Exchange, then compliance (or a reason as to why they are not compliant) is required under the Listing Rules.
what is the stance on CGC for mutual companies?
They have no legal obligation to comply, as with any UK company. However, under The Association of Financial Mutuals (AFM), they have their own version of the code which adapts the requirements to the particular needs of mutual companies.
i.e this includes gudance around the role of shareholders (adapting this to members) and the appointment of directors that have specific experience of the intrests of members. A good example of this is the Met police friendly society, where certain non-exec directors or retired police officers serve.
what were the main intentions of the 2018 publication of the revised Guidance on Audit Committees by the FCA?
This intended to stimulate thinking on how boards can carry out their role most effectively and is designed to help boards with their actions and decisions when reporting on the application of the codes principles.
The key areas addressed:
1. Making sure best practice is followed out, the audit committes arrangements need to be proportionate to the task, and will vary according to the sixe, complexity etc.
2. The audit commitee has a particular role, acting independently from the executive, to ensure that the interests of the shareholders are properly protected in relation to financial reporting and internal control, while directors have a duty to act in the interests of the company. If there is any dispute between the board and the audit committee, this is to be resolved at board level
3.The guidance contains recommendations about the conduct of the audit committee’s relationship with the board, exec management and internal and external auditors.
4. The management is under obligation to ensure the audit committee is kept properly informed.
what are the 7 main roles and responsibilities of the audit committee?
- Monitoring the integrity of the companies financial statements
- Reviewing the companies internal financial records
- Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the companies internal audit function
- Making recommendations to the board regrding appointment of ext auditor and approving remuneration and terms for the engagement of the ext auditor
- Reviewing and monitoring the ext auditors independence and objectivity in the audit process
-developing and implementing policy on the engagement of an ext auditor - to report to the board, identifying any matters where is considers that action or imrpovement is needed