I ask, what would happen if California government, nonprofits, and education adopted, implemented, and embraced in their operations ERM (enterprise risk management), governance, and ESG (environment, social, and governance) practices, and openly discussed and disclosed their practices? People would notice and follow. For the purpose of this discussion I have noted California government, nonprofits, and education because it seems that at times or for certain issues people who are involved in these activities or positions already are concerned about or are interested in ERM, governance, and ESG. Waiting for public and private businesses, and possibly their auditors, to be induced or possibly compelled into these practices by statute, regulation, or rule is not the only option. Lead and others will follow. For example, we already have criteria or standards for:
– Risk management and ERM (consider as guidance, e.g., materials from COSO (the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission); ISO (the International Organization for Standardization); and other guidance, etc.);
– ESG (consider as guidance, e.g., materials from the SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board); and other guidance, etc.); and
– Governance (consider as guidance, e.g., the above guidance; applicable statutes, regulations and rules; court case precedence; the business judgment rule; and materials from the SEC and the stock exchanges; and other guidance, etc.).
The opportunities and the solutions to move these practices forward already currently are and have been at-hand – California (elected offices and representatives, and departments), nonprofits, and education can lead by example, and others will follow. See also below re ERM and COSO, audit committees, and investigations. Dave Tate, Esq. (and California CPA, inactive). San Francisco and California.
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Remember, every case and situation is different. It is important to obtain and evaluate all of the evidence that is available, and to apply that evidence to the applicable standards and laws. You do need to consult with an attorney and other professionals about your particular situation. This post is not a solicitation for legal or other services inside of or outside of California, and, of course, this post only is a summary of information that changes from time to time, and does not apply to any particular situation or to your specific situation. So . . . you cannot rely on this post for your situation or as legal or other professional advice or representation.
Thank you for reading this website. I ask that you also pass it along to other people who would be interested as it is through collaboration that great things and success occur more quickly.
Best to you, David Tate, Esq. (and inactive California CPA) – practicing in California only.
I am also the new Chair of the Business Law Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
Blogs: Trust, estate/probate, power of attorney, conservatorship, elder and dependent adult abuse, nursing home and care, disability, discrimination, personal injury, responsibilities and rights, and other related litigation, and contentious administrations http://californiaestatetrust.com; Business, D&O, board, director, audit committee, shareholder, founder, owner, and investor litigation, governance, responsibilities and rights, compliance, investigations, and risk management http://auditcommitteeupdate.com
The following are copies of the tables of contents of three of the more formal materials that I have written over the years about accounting/auditing, audit committees, and related legal topics – Accounting and Its Legal Implications was my first formal effort, which resulted in a published book that had more of an accounting and auditing focus; Chapter 5A, Audit Committee Functions and Responsibilities, for the California Continuing Education of the Bar has a more legal focus; and the most recent Tate’s Excellent Audit Committee Guide (February 2017) also has a more legal focus:
Accounting and Its Legal Implications
Tate’s Excellent Audit Committee Guide
The following are other summary materials that you might find useful:
From a prior blog post which you can find at https://wp.me/p75iWX-dk if the below scan is too difficult to read:
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A blog discussing the law, D&O, governance, liability and other aspects of public and private businesses, not for profit organizations, and governmental entities – see additional detail below - note: sometimes I post information just to pass it along on these topics (not an endorsement), and sometimes I provide only brief comments or no comments, not a more full discussion. 