Could stronger governance benefit your business?
Every company has at least one owner. And, in many cases, there exists leadership down through the organizational chart. But not every business has strong governance.
In a nutshell, governance is the set of rules, practices and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. Strengthening it can help ensure productivity, reduce legal risks and, when the time comes, ease ownership transitions.
Looking at business structure
Good governance starts with the initial organization (or reorganization) of a business.
Corporations, for example, are required by law to have a board of directors and officers and to observe certain other formalities. So this entity type is a good place to explore the concept.
Other business structures, such as partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs), have greater flexibility in designing their management and ownership structures. But these entities will benefit greatly from strong governance with well-designed partnership or LLC operating agreements and a centralized management structure. They might, for instance, establish management committees that exercise powers similar to those of a corporate board.
Specifying the issues
The corporate model is an excellent framework to use to help establish strong governance in your company, regardless of its size or ownership structure. An important factor is to have clear and documented business articles and bylaws defining the roles and responsibilities of leadership and, if you have them, board members. For example: the organizational documents might:
- Define and limit the authority of each executive,
- Establish a board of directors or internal executive committee
- Require board approval (or specific leadership approval) for certain actions,
- Authorize the board to hire, evaluate, promote and fire executives based on merit,
- Authorize the board to determine the compensation of top executives and to approve the terms of employment agreements, and
- Create nonvoting classes of stock to provide equity to the owner’s family members who aren’t active in the business, but without conferring management control.
As you look over this list, consider whether and how any of these items might pertain to your company. There are, of course, other aspects to governance, such as establishing an ethics code and setting up protocols for information technology.
Knowing yourself
Strong governance is all about knowing your company and identifying the best ways to oversee its smooth and professional operation. For help, please contact Ciuni & Panichi, Inc.’s Frank Eich, CPA, MBA, senior manager, at feich@cp-advisors.com or 216-831-7171.
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