by IFAC for the IFAC website, October 18, 2010.
Accountancy leaders from around the world met in Geneva on October 12 to discuss next steps for global corporate governance reforms. With an eye to helping prevent future financial crises, they collectively supported the following points:
- The accountancy profession has a key role to play in strengthening corporate governance and facilitating the integration of governance and sustainability into the strategy, operations, and reporting of an organization.
- Boards should be focused on the long-term sustainability of their businesses. As such, corporate governance reform must include strengthening board oversight of management, positioning risk management as a key board responsibility, and encouraging remuneration practices that balance risk and long-term (social, environmental, and economic) performance criteria.
- Governance is more than having the right structures, regulation and principles in place—it is about ensuring that the right behaviors and processes are in place.
- Governance mechanisms need to be strengthened at banks and other companies to ensure better oversight of risk management and executive compensation.
- More dialogue is needed between policy makers, the accounting profession, and other financial industries to consider how we can work together effectively on a global level.
The conference, hosted by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), took place at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
Professor Mervyn King, author of the King Code on Corporate Governance, was the keynote speaker. Participants from more than 50 countries were on hand to address key questions including: What lessons has the financial crisis revealed about corporate governance? What corporate governance reforms should be developed on a global basis? And what role should the accountancy profession play?
“Professional accountants can serve as a critical link to ensure that good corporate governance is practiced,” said IFAC President Robert L. Bunting. “Accountants provide strategic direction to boards and governing bodies, aiming to ensure that risks are managed appropriately and resources are used responsibly—all key processes for facilitating sound corporate governance.” (continue reading)
Corporate Governance Leaders 