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Flashcards in 2. Board, Subcommittees And Directors Deck (78)
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1
Q

The Board’s responsibilities include establishing the v—, m— and v— of the organisation

A

Vision
Mission
Values

2
Q

The Board’s responsibilities include setting the organisation’s s— and s—

A

Strategy

Structure

3
Q

The Board’s responsibilities include ensuring the availability of — — — for the achievement of strategy and objectives

A

Adequate financial resources

4
Q

The Board’s responsibilities include — resources and work to management

A

Delegating

5
Q

The Board’s responsibilities include exercising — to the shareholders

A

Accountability

6
Q

The Board’s responsibilities include being responsible to st—

A

Stakeholders

7
Q

What are the two main board structures?

A

Unitary and dual

8
Q

The unitary board is a single board composed of…

A

Executive and non-executive directors

9
Q

In the unitary board, the — runs the board

A

Chairman

10
Q

In the unitary board, the — — — manages the day to day operations of the company

A

Chief executive officer

11
Q

Who elects directors to the unitary board?

A

Shareholders

12
Q

A benefit of the unitary board model is that all — are made and ratified in one forum

A

Decisions

13
Q

A benefit of the unitary board structure is that a closer and more effective — exists between all board members

A

Relationship

14
Q

A benefit of the unitary board structure is that the — — — between board members is improved

A

Flow of information

15
Q

A unitary board is — to operate than a dual board

A

Simpler

16
Q

A dual board consists of what two structures?

A

The supervisory board

The management board

17
Q

In a dual board structure, the — — is responsible for running the organisation

A

Management board

18
Q

In a dual board structure, the — — is responsible for directing the business

A

Supervisory board

19
Q

In a dual board structure, the management board is run by the — — —

A

Chief executive officer

20
Q

In a dual board structure, the management board consists entirely of — —

A

Executive directors

21
Q

In the dual board structure, the supervisory board is run by the —

A

Chairman

22
Q

The supervisory board usually consists entirely of what?

A

Non-executive directors

23
Q

Who usually appoints members to the supervisory board?

A

Shareholders

24
Q

What is the main benefit of the dual board structure?

A

It clarifies responsibilities

25
Q

What is the main disadvantage of the dual board structure?

A

It can be bureaucratic and unwieldy

26
Q

Which UK report examined the advantages and disadvantages of the different board structures?

A

The Owen Report 1995

27
Q

What are the three main conclusions of the Owen report?

A

Supervisory board unable to effectively monitor the activities of management

Supervisory boards usually meet infrequently and do not receive sufficient information

Excessive conflicts of interest caused by different stakeholders on the supervisory board

28
Q

According to the Owen Report 1995, supervisory boards are unable to effectively — the activities of management

A

Monitor

29
Q

According to the Owen Report 1995, supervisory boards usually meet —, and do not receive sufficient — about the day to day operations of the company

A

Infrequently

Information

30
Q

According to the Owen Report 1995, there are often excessive — — — on the supervisory board due to many differing stakeholders

A

Conflicts of interest

31
Q

What is now the main code regarding corporate governance in the UK?

A

UK Corporate Governance Code 2010

32
Q

What are the five key sections of the UK corporate governance code 2010?

A
Leadership
Effectiveness
Accountability
Remuneration
Shareholder relations

(LEARS)

33
Q

The Code consists of main and supporting p—, and p—

A

Principles

Provisions

34
Q

Code principles. Under section A, Leadership, the first main principle states that every company should be headed by an — — which is collectively responsible for the long-term success of the company

A

Effective board

35
Q

In the Code, to what does main principle A.1 relate?

A

The role of the board

36
Q

List the headings of the four main principles of section A of the Code

A

A.1 The Role of the Board
A.2 Division of Responsibilities
A.3 The Chairman
A.4 Non-executive Directors

37
Q

Code Principles. Under section A, Leadership, the second main principle states that there should be a clear — — — at the head of the company between the running of the board and the running of the business

A

Division of responsibilities

38
Q

Code principles. Under section A, Leadership, the third principle states that the — is responsible for the leadership of the board, and ensuring its effectiveness

A

Chairman

39
Q

Code principles. Under section A, Leadership, the fourth principle states that non-executive directors should — — and help develop proposals on —

A

Constructively challenge

Strategy

40
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.1.1. states the the board should meet sufficiently —- to discharge its duties effectively

A

Regularly

41
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.1.1. also states that there should be a formal — — — reserved for the board

A

Schedule of decisions

42
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.1.2. states that who should be identified in the annual report?

A
Chairman
Deputy chairman
Chief executive
Senior independent director
Chairmen and members of committees
43
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.1.2. states that the — — — of the board and its committees should be set out in the annual report

A

Number of meetings

44
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.1.2. states that the individual — of directors should be set out in the annual report

A

Attendance

45
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.1.3. states that — should be arranged in respect of legal action against the directors

A

Insurance

46
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.2.1. states that the roles of — and — — should not be exercised by the same person

A

Chairman

Chief executive

47
Q

Code provisions. What three things does provision A.2.1. state regarding the division of responsibilities between chairman and chief executive

A

Clearly established
Set out in writing
Agreed by board

48
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.3.1. states that a — — should not go on to become — of the same company

A

Chairman

49
Q

According to provision A.3.1. of the Code, how should the board act in the event that they decide the chief executive should go on to be chairman?

A

Consult major shareholders in advance
Set out reasons to shareholders at time of appointment
Set out reasons in next annual report

50
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.4.1. states that the board should appoint a — — —

A

Senior Independent Director

51
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.4.2. states that the chairman should hold meetings with non-executive directors without the — present

A

Executives

52
Q

Code provisions. Provision A.4.2. states that the SID should at least annually lead a meeting of non-executive directors without chairman present to assess the —’s performance

A

Chairman

53
Q

What are the seven main subheadings of the second section of the Code (Effectiveness)?

A
B.1 Composition of the Board
B.2 Appointments to the Board
B.3 Commitment
B.4 Development
B.5 Information and Support
B.6 Evaluation
B.7 Re-election
54
Q

Code Principles. Principle B.1 states that the board and it’s committees should have the appropriate balance of —, —, — and — of the company to enable them to discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively.

A

Skills
Experience
Independence
Knowledge

(SExInK)

55
Q

What do the supporting principles to B.1 of the Code (Composition of the Board) say about the SIZE of the board?

A

Sufficient for business needs
Change manageable without disruption
Not so large as to be unwieldy

56
Q

According to the Code, the size of the board should be sufficient for — —

A

Business purposes

57
Q

What do the supporting principles to B.1 of the code (Composition of the Board) have to say about the COMPOSITION of the board?

A

Balance of executives and non-executives

No individual or group should be able to dominate decision making

58
Q

What do the supporting principles to B.1 of the Code (Composition of the Board) have to say about committee meetings?

A

Only chairman and members should be able to attend committee meetings
Others may attend at invitation of committee

59
Q

Code Provisions. Provision B.1.1 states that the board should identify — non-executive directors in its annual report

A

Independent

60
Q

Code Provisions. Provision B.1.1 also states that the board should determine what three things about its non-executive directors?

A

Independent in character
Independent in judgment
Free from relationships or circumstances that might impair their judgment

61
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.1.1, how should the board act where a NED’s circumstances seem to indicate that he is not independent?

A

Should state their reasons to shareholders and in the annual report

62
Q

Code Provisions. What six examples does Provision B.1.1 give of circumstance that may impair a non-executive director’s judgment?

A

Employed by company or group in last five years
Material business relationship with company in last three years
Has received additional remuneration other than director’s fee
Close family ties with company’s advisors, directors or senior employees
Represents a significant shareholder
Has served on board more than nine years since first election

63
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.1.2, what proportion of the board, excluding the chairman, should comprise non-executive directors? (Except for smaller companies)

A

At least half

64
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.1.2, a smaller company should have at least — non-executive directors

A

Two

65
Q

Code Provisions. How does Code Provision B.1.2 define a “smaller company”?

A

One that is below the FTSE 350 throughout the year immediately prior to the reporting year.

66
Q

Code Principles. Principle B.2 states that there should be a —, — and — procedure for the appointment of new directors to the board.

A

Formal
Rigorous
Transparent

67
Q

The supporting principles to Code Principle B.2 state that the search for candidates and board appointments should be made on what three bases?

A

On merit
Against objective criteria
With regards to the benefit of diversity, including gender

68
Q

The supporting principles to Code Principle B.2 state the board should satisfy itself that orderly — — is in place for appointments to the board.

A

Succession planning

69
Q

The nomination committee leads the process for — —

A

Board appointments

70
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.1, the majority of members of the nomination committee should be what?

A

Non-executive directors

71
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.1, who should chair the nomination committee?

A

The Chairman or an independent non-executive director

72
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.1, when must the chairman of the board NEVER chair the nomination committee?

A

When appointing a successor to the chairmanship.

73
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.2, the nomination committee should evaluate the level of what four things on the board when searching for new candidates?

A

Skills
Experience
Independence
Knowledge

(SExInK)

74
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.2, when searching for a new candidate, the board should prepare a description of the — and — required for the particular appointment.

A

Role

Capabilities

75
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.3, non-executive directors should be appointed for specified —

A

Terms

76
Q

Code Provision. According to Provision B.2.3, when a non-executive director has been appointed for a term exceeding six years, the appointment should be subject to — —

A

Rigorous review

77
Q

Code Provisions. According to Provision B.2.3, the appointment term of a non-executive director is subject to what two qualifiers?

A

Re-election

Statutory provisions relating to the removal of a director

78
Q

According to the Institute of Directors, what is the key purpose of the Board?

A

To ensure the company’s prosperity
By collectively directing the company’s affairs
While meeting the appropriate interests
Of its shareholders and relevant stakeholders