cfos want more disclosure on auditor exits

cfos also think ceos are overpaid – except the one they report to.

in a national survey of cfos and senior comptrollers conducted by grant thornton llp, the u.s. member firm of grant thornton international ltd., 83% believe that the positions of ceo and chairman of the board should be separate.

two-thirds of respondents think that the average ceo is overpaid, but only one-fourth think their own ceo is overpaid.  some 55% say they would like to be ceo of a company one day.

grant thornton llp conducted the national survey from september 8th through september 19th, with 688 chief financial officers and senior comptrollers.

details:

do you believe the roles of ceo and chairman of the board should be independent of each other?

yes:  83%

no:  17%

considering total pay and benefits package, do you feel the average ceo is:

overpaid: 66%

appropriately paid : 33%

underpaid: 1%

considering total pay and benefits package, do you feel your ceo is:

overpaid: 25%

appropriately paid: 62%

underpaid: 14%

should the sec enhance the 8-k rules to require explanations for all company dismissals of auditors, for all auditor resignations and for all instances in which the auditor chooses not to stand for reappointment?

yes: 70%

no: 30%

should shareholders have greater access to the proxy in order for them to nominate directors more easily?

yes: 63%

no: 37%

should shareholders be able to access the proxy online?

yes: 94%

no: 6%