The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic created myriad challenges for organizations, but findings from a respected survey provided a glimmer of hope amid the gloom. Incremental improvements in key 2020 governance measures appeared to show organizations rallying to focus on improving how they operated. However, a year later, the same survey finds the quality of governance may be stagnating as organizations deal with unrelenting pandemic disruptions and uncertainty.
The Institute of Internal Auditors’ and Neel Corporate Governance Center’s 2021 American Corporate Governance Index (ACGI), which surveyed chief audit executives (CAEs) on their organizations’ performance on eight Guiding Principles of Corporate Governance, saw grades dip in seven of the eight categories compared to the previous year. Overall, the ACGI score slipped one point from 82 to 81, but maintained its B rating.
Download this issue of Tone at the Top to see other key takeaways from the 2021 ACGI report and share its valuable details and insights with governance leaders in your organization.