CFA论坛 - Powered by Discuz! Board

LOS d: Identify factors that indicate a board and its members possess the experience required to govern the company for the benefit of its shareowners.

Which of the following might be an undesirable trait of a member of the board of directors?

A)	Service on the board for more than 10 years.

B)	Lack of legal or regulatory problems as a result of working with other firms.

C)	Experience with the technologies, products, and services the firm offers.

Service on the board for more than 10 years may indicate knowledge and experience, but may result in a member becoming too close to management.

A properly qualified board member is of vital importance to proper corporate governance within a firm. Board members who lack the requisite skills, knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough review of the firm’s activities are:

A)	less likely to participate fully in decision-making matters during board meetings.

B)	more likely to consult with outside interests to assist in decision-making.

C)	more likely to defer to management when making decisions.

Board members must be properly qualified, having the knowledge and experience which is required to advise management in light of the firm’s specific situations encountered. Both remaining answers are incorrect.

A critical corporate governance issue is ensuring that the board and its members have the requisite experience needed to properly govern the firm for the shareholders’ benefit. When considering board member qualifications, investors and shareholders should consider whether board members can act with care and competence as a result of their experience with all of the following EXCEPT:

A)	the competitive landscape the firm faces.

B)	legal issues.

C)	technologies, products, services which the firm offers.

Knowledge of the firm’s competitive landscape is likely beyond what a board member should have intimate knowledge about. The other items are all issues a board member should be knowledgeable about. Other issues board members should have experience with include financial operations, accounting and auditing topics, and business risks the firm faces.