Corporate governance and a program for complaints relating to accounting, auditing, and internal control

Abstract

Complaints relating to accounting, auditing, or internal control matters may periodically be received by corporations. Such matters may be submitted by a variety of parties including employees, vendors, customers, or others. Organizations should have in place, as a part of effective corporate governance, procedures for handling complaints. The Board of Directors, specifically the Audit Committee of the Board, should oversee the program, which is encompassed within the broader overall system of internal control. Management plays an important role in a corporate complaint program and both internal and external auditors can provide the Audit Committee with valuable information as that body monitors it.