PROGRAM REVIEW FOR CENTERS AND INSTITUTES
Center/Institute: Center for Corporate Reporting and Governance
Director/Administrator: Dr. Vivek Mande
College/Academic unit: Accounting. College of Business and Economics
Contact Information: SGMH 4380
Date: March 14, 2013
Name of primary authors if different
From Director/Administrator: Ji Moon, David Oh, Jennifer Song
Self-Study
1. Mission
The Center for Corporate Reporting and Governance (CCRG) states as its mission “we advance
and influence corporate reporting and governance practices through education, research, and
collaboration with the business community and regulators”. In addition, the Center develops
relationships with accounting firms bringing them to campus to provide opportunities for student
placement. The self-study illustrates how the Center’s mission is linked to University goals and
mission like the goal to expand connections with our region and to increase external support for
university programs and priorities.
2. Goals and Activities
Activities of the Center include dissemination of information on current financial reporting
issues, interpretations of financial rules, and research results of studies sponsored or conducted
by the Center. Also the Center hosts an annual Academic Conference where visiting researchers
from universities across the country present research papers. Similarly leadership seminars in
accounting provide Orange County professionals, and CSUF community with first-hand
experiences to interact with speakers in the field.
3. Resources and Sustainability
Revenues for the Center are generated from annual Securities Exchange Conference (SEC)
(2010-11) $88,280 and (2011-12) $89,505. Based on the growing number of attendees at the
SEC Conference the center feels it will be able to sustain its operations.
4. Organizational Structure and Governance
The Center operates with the guidance of a governing board. The governing board is composed
of 15 professionals from Orange County. The board meets at least once a year to evaluate the
previous academic conference and plan for the next conference.
5. Highlights and Accomplishments
Several accomplishments highlight the Center’s activities. For eleven years the Center has
hosted the annual SEC Financial Reporting Conference increasing participation from 80 in 2003
to 500 in 2012. In addition, the Center was granted accreditation by Risk Metrics/Institutional
Shareholders Services (ISS) in 2008. Other accreditations include National Association of State
Boards of Accountancy and the Center offers Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit to
professional who attend sanctioned events. The governing board has been strengthened by
adding members form accounting firms, law firms and other businesses that have a local or
national presence.
6. Planning and Strategic Outlook
Planning for the Center is conducted by the governing board, assistant directors, chair and dean.
There is a process in place for planning the annual SEC conference with board participation.
CPE certificates are issued to attendees and conference evaluations are sent for review to the
board.
7. Viability
After review the leadership indicates that there is no need to modify center activities or
operations.
8. Appendices
(The Center does not have an account with Auxiliary Services Corporation of the CSUF
Foundation. There is an account with Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation)
Summary and Recommendation(s)
The Center for Corporate Reporting and Governance (CCRG) disseminates information on
current financial reporting issues, provides interpretations of financial rules, and publishes
research results of studies conducted by the center. In addition the Center brings to campus
accounting firms to enhance student placement. Most of the activities of the Center revolve
around the hosting/sponsoring of two annual conferences the Securities Exchange Conference
Financial Reporting Conference and the Academic Conference. The SEC Conference is the main
source of revenue for the Center. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit is awarded to
professionals who attend the SEC Conference. CCRG is accredited by National Association of
State Boards of Accountancy and Risk Metrics/Institutional Shareholders Services. The Center
has a governing board whose membership includes professionals in the field and assists the
Center in its annual planning. From indications provided in the self-study it appears that the
Center is an effective organization that accomplishes its mission and goals.