From the Archive

The much-publicized “global research analyst settlement” is rapidly reshaping the ways brokerage firms conduct business, with significant consequences for both public and pre-IPO companies. Under the global settlement, which was entered into in response to enforcement actions brought by a number of federal and state regulators, ten leading brokerage firms agreed to severely limit interactions […]

In today’s heightened regulatory environment, what are common flags the SEC looks for that might indicate problems? We addressed these and other questions with Vinson & Elkins partner Rick Sauer, a former Assistant Director with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. COMMON FLAGS One of the weaknesses of GAAP is that, by itself, it can’t necessarily […]

RESPONSES  Most Important Statements Additional Info. Sources 1. Footnotes to Financials 2. Interim Financial Statements 3. Earnings Releases 4. Mgmt’s Discussion & Analysis 5. Conference Calls, Meetings SOURCE: AIMR A recent survey of nearly 2,000 analysts and portfolio managers that rated companies on the overall quality of financial reporting (they got a “C+” if you […]

Nearly three quarters of executives responding to a recent survey claim to have enhanced their internal controls over the past year. According to the survey, sponsored by Hill & Knowlton and recruitment firm Korn/Ferry International, 64 percent of respondents also claim to have reviewed their auditor and accounting relationships, and 55 percent have revised their […]

On Oct. 22, the Securities and Exchange Commission voted to amend Rule 10b-18 regarding “safe harbor,” and proposed related disclosure regulations. The Commission also voted to propose a new rule and rule amendments concerning shareholder approval of subadvisory arrangements at investment companies, and to propose new rules and rule amendments and issue an interpretive release […]

With so much emphasis on corporate wrongdoing filling newspapers, it’s no surprise that corporate employees, shareholders, customers, competitors and suppliers are more sensitive to indications of possible wrongdoing. While these complainants may turn out to be mistaken, or perhaps even misguided, on occasion, it hasn’t escaped the attention of regulators, prosecutors and the press that […]

Download results of Parson Consulting study, which noted 60 percent of S&P 500 companies aren’t yet meeting the shorter quarterly filing deadline of 40 days for 2004.

LINKS Download The Parson Survey Results According to a survey conducted by Parson Consulting, 60 percent of S&P 500 companies aren’t yet meeting the shorter quarterly filing deadline of 40 days for 2004. In the coming fiscal year-end, quarterly financial reports will need to be filed within 40 days of a quarter’s end instead of […]

A recent survey mentioned in Compliance Week found that 39 percent of employees had observed major misconduct in the prior year. Unfortunately, 65 percent of employees surveyed did not report observed unethical conduct. Employee whistle blowing is the number one means by which corporate fraud is detected. The statistics — as well as the recent […]

PCAOB Chairman William McDonough told corporate directors that they “need to think long and hard about the compensation of the executives who head the corporation you are sworn to protect.”